American country music singer Carrie Underwood received backlash for her role as Maria von Trapp in the NBC production of The Sound of Music. (Reuters)
American country music singer Carrie Underwood received backlash for her role as Maria von Trapp in the NBC production of The Sound of Music. (Reuters)

American country music singer Carrie Underwood reportedly received backlash for her role as Maria von Trapp in the NBC production of The Sound of Music.

The American Idol winner is replacing Julie Andrews, who originally played Maria's role.

"I get hate tweets and stuff like, 'You're not Julie Andrews!'" she told Entertainment Weekly, "I know I'm not Julie. Nobody is and I would never pretend that I was … I know my place."

However, Andrews has come forward to support Underwood on taking up the legendary role.

"Fifty years later, it's time somebody had another crack at it," Andrews told Zap2it, "I had the best time of my life doing it, and it did wonderful things for me. I think it's great that it's being done again, but doing it live must be so daunting for Carrie."

"I know they're not doing the movie, though. They're doing the Broadway show -- that's what they have the rights to -- and I don't know whether it will resonate similarly. In the movie, we cut some things from the stage version and added some songs," she added.

Andrews had previously voiced her support for Underwood during an interview with Larry King, as well as during the tenth Anniversary Celebration of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The television special will also feature True Blood star Stephen Moyer and five-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald.