Carrie Underwood Gets Approval From Julie Andrews for ‘Sound of Music’ Role

Carrie Underwood is going to fill some big shoes in December, when she takes on the role of Maria von Trapp -- made famous by entertainment icon Julie Andrews -- for the live TV broadcast of 'The Sound of Music.'

But while Underwood admits preparing for the role has been a big undertaking, she at least has the full support of the star who made the role famous.

"I think she's great," Andrews tells Broadway World. "It's going to be the original show, I believe, and I think after 40 or 50 years it's probably time somebody else had a crack at it."

The 'See You Again' singer says she will try to make the role her own, instead of emulate Andrews.

“I think the most important thing is to not try to copy her," Underwood admits. "We are doing the musical, not the movie version, so I think it would be important to not go the route of Julie Andrews. It’s more important to me to read the script and get into the musical space and not the movie space of the production.”

Underwood will appear opposite 'True Blood' star Stephen Moyer for the live, three-hour broadcast, which is being produced by Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, with Beth McCarthy-Miller and Rob Ashford serving as directors.

'The Sound of Music' will air live on NBC on Dec. 5.