After the cancellation of ABC's "Gidget," in which Sally Field starred in the title role, producers sought a way to keep Field on the air. As a result, "The Flying Nun" was developed. Field found the concept of the show silly and refused the role at first, only to resettle on it after her stepfather, Jock Mahoney, warned her that she might not work again in show business if she did not accept the role. Screen Gems dismissed its second choice, Ronne Troup, who had already begun filming the pilot. Field recalled hanging from a crane and being humiliated by a parade of episodic television directors, one of whom actually grabbed her shoulders and moved her into position as if she were a prop. She credits co-star Madeleine Sherwood for encouraging her to enroll in acting classes. Field has commented that she has great affection for her young "Gidget" persona and was proud of her work on that show, but she has also admitted that she disliked and was embarrassed with "The Flying Nun."