Jennifer Nettles is expected to tap into her dark side as she has been revealed as the newest cast member of the first film in the upcoming horror trilogy titled, “The Exorcist.”
The country star took to social media to share the news of her upcoming role. This announcement marked her first post on Instagram since December 2022.
“Hello Fam! Been missing me? I have been missing you and wanted to tell you where I’ve been,” she wrote in her caption. “I have been absolutely, beside myself, giddy to share this with you and I finally can. I am proud beyond words to get to be a part of this amazing project, cast, crew, production and legacy. Getting to partner with @blumhouse@roughhousepicturesand to collaborate with these fantastic folks is a dream for any story teller. I can’t wait to tell you more…….but I’ll have to!”
Variety reported that while details regarding her upcoming narrative have yet to be released, we do know that it will be a “primary role.”
Nettles is a joining a legendary cast of actors and actresses including Leslie Odom Jr., Ann Dowd, Lidya Jewett and Ellen Burstyn, who will be reprising her role as Chris MacNeil from the 1973 film. Davis Gordon Green has been named director of the brand-new sequel with production by Blumhouse and Morgan Creek for Universal and Peacock.
This new trilogy will be released theatrically on October 13, 2023, and follows a series of possessed storylines that were brought back to life in a brief TV series on Fox. There are no release dates announced yet for the following two sequels in the trilogy.
The original film first won over viewers with its unique storyline equipped with jump scares and satanic forces galore. In 1973, The Exorcist grossed over $441 million to date. Since it evoked such a strong reaction, the franchise followed with 1977’s The Exorcist II: The Heretic and 1990’s The Exorcist III before the 2005 release of Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist, which served as an alternate version of the previous year’s Exorcist: The Beginning.
Jennifer Nettles; Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CMT
While this upcoming horror trilogy sits in a category of its own, Jennifer Nettles is well-equipped to handle whatever the role may bring her.
Nettles made her debut on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking musical, Chicago. She also starred as Donna in the Hollywood Bowl’s summer production of Mamma Mia!, as well as most recently starring as Jenna in the smash hit musical Waitress.
The “Stay” singer is currently developing a musical of her own about 17th Century Crusading Poisoner Giulia Tofana.
In addition to her musical moments, her resume extends to the TV screen, as she’s previously appeared in several series, including The Righteous Gemstones, Puppy Dog Pals, The Launch, and Underground. She also currently serves as a judge on Go-Big Show.
The country star has also appeared in a few movies such as Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love and Harriet.
Sugarland; Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Along with her on-stage and on-screen roles, Nettles has established quite a successful career in Country music as part of the award-winning duo, Sugarland. The duo is most well known for their Platinum, chart-topping hit “Stay,” which earned the pair two GRAMMY Awards for Best Country Song and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group. Nettles earned another Grammy for her collaboration with Bon Jovi on “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”
In addition to being a part of Sugarland, Nettle has released several solo projects, including Playing With Fire, To Celebrate Christmas and most recently an EP, I Can Do Hard Things, in 2019.
Her other achievements in music include five ASCAP awards, three ACM Awards, a CMA Award, the Human Rights Campaign’s Ally for Equality Award and the Artist Impact Award from Lincoln Center.
Jennifer Nettles; Photo by John Shearer/FOX
Most recently, Nettles was selected to host the successful dating show, Farmer Wants A Wife, which premieres on FOX on Wednesday, March 8. The show will feature the Sugarland frontwoman woman helping four farmers find love in the heartland of America.
“Bringing the world’s most popular dating show to FOX requires a superstar host to match,” said Allison Wallach, President, Unscripted Programming, FOX Entertainment., “and we found the perfect pairing in Jennifer, a multi-talented entertainer who’s a little country, a little big city and huge on heart and humor, making her the perfect choice for wrangling romance in the heartland.”
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