Zooey Deschanel Heading to Broadway as Loretta Lynn in ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’

Last night at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, Loretta Lynn announced that Zooey Deschanel will play her in an upcoming Broadway musical about Lynn’s life called “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

The country legend personally picked Deschanel for the part, which will mark her debut on Broadway. No opening date has yet been announced for the production, though it was made known that the schedule will not conflict with Deschanel’s Fox television series “The New Girl.”

“It’s a long way from Butcher Holler to Broadway in New York City,” Lynn said in a statement. “I never imagined I’d see “Coal Miner’s Daughter” on a movie screen, and now I can’t believe it’s going to be on a stage for people to see. I’m going to be right there in the front row, and I know Zooey is going to be great – she sings and writes her own songs just like I do, and we even have the same color eyes!”

The movie “Coal Miner’s Daughter” was a box office hit in 1980 and was based off Lynn’s 1976 autobiography that detailed her impoverished upbringing in Butcher Hollow, Ky. The film adaptation won a Best Actress Oscar for Sissy Spacek, who played Lynn. The film also featured Tommy Lee Jones and the Band drummer Levon Helm.

During the announcement, Deschanel joined Lynn for a duet of the song “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Deschanel later commented on the role.

“Loretta Lynn and her music have been inspirations for me for as long as I can remember,” she said. “She is a true legend and to be chosen to play such an iconic woman is a dream come true.”

In addition to her acting roles, which also feature performances in “Almost Famous,” “Elf” and “500 Days of Summer,” Deschanel also is known as a music artist. She has performed as a solo artist and as one half of the duo She & Him along with singer-guitarist M Ward.