5 Things You Never Knew About Sally Field’s ‘The Flying Nun’
It might not be a traditional holiday special, but Sally Field‘s The Flying Nun is a great way to have a little fun this Easter weekend. Airing from 1967 to 1970, this whimsical series followed the adventures of Sister Bertrille, a young nun in San Juan, Puerto Rico, whose lightweight frame and starched cornette (a winged habit) allowed her to literally take flight. Played by a fresh-faced Field, the character floated into viewers’ hearts with her good intentions and airborne antics. And though Field flew on to bigger things, her ’60s series remains a nostalgic favorite.
Here are some fascinating facts about the show that just might make you want to take off with it again.
1 Sally Field wasn’t exactly flying with joy
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Despite how cheerful she seemed on-screen, Field has been brutally honest about how much she disliked being part of The Flying Nun. In an interview with Fox News, she said she felt the show was “drivel and nonsense,” and admitted she hated the scripts so much that she’d learn her lines right before shooting from the script supervisor’s notes. The role wasn’t one she wanted, but her stepfather convinced her it would be smart for job security. Years later, she credited co-star Madeleine Sherwood with recognizing her struggles and taking her to the Actors Studio, where Field would eventually develop into one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.
2 The home movies were actually a sneaky Gidget crossover
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In one memorable episode, Sister Bertrille watches old home movies of herself as a teenager. Did you realize that the footage wasn’t made for the show at all — it was actually recycled scenes from Field’s earlier sitcom, 1965’s Gidget?
Producers originally wanted The Flying Nun to feel like a continuation of that character’s life, even brainstorming an early concept where Gidget had grown up to become a nun. That idea was eventually dropped, but they snuck in this fun Easter egg for fans paying close attention. It also paid tribute to why they wanted Field for the gig in the first place — because Gidget, which left the airwaves in 1966, did so well in reruns.
3 It was the first and only American sitcom set in Puerto Rico
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Long before television embraced multicultural settings, The Flying Nun quietly made history as the first (and still the only) American sitcom set in Puerto Rico. The fictional convent of San Tanco brought viewers into a predominantly Hispanic community, a rarity in ’60s prime time. While the show leaned into fantasy more than realism, it still offered glimpses into a different culture at a time when most sitcoms stayed firmly planted in suburban America.
4 The role almost went to someone else
TV Guide/Everett Collection
Even if the producers were drawn to Field because of her work on Gidget, she wasn’t always a sure thing for the part. They originally offered the role of Sister Bertrille to Patty Duke, who passed. When Field hesitated, they actually cast Ronne Troup and began filming the pilot. But when Field had second thoughts and agreed to take the job, Troup was let go. Field was devastated when she found out someone else had already started, but by then, the contract was signed and the habit was hers.
5 MAD Magazine had a field day with it
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As with many quirky ’60s shows, The Flying Nun was ripe for parody — and of course, MAD Magazine didn’t miss a beat. Their version featured “Sister Brazil, The Flying Nut,” poking fun at the show’s outlandish premise. But in truth, The Flying Nun took its fantasy more seriously than you might expect. Rather than hiding Sister Bertrille’s flying powers like Bewitched or I Dream of Jeannie often did, the characters acknowledged her gift openly, something that was a little bit different for the time period.
Unfortunately The Flying Nun is not currently available on streaming services. But it does air on MeTV, and will show this weekend on Saturday, April 19 at 3pm ET.
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