Latest news with #ChesapeakeShores
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hallmark's May Movie Slate Features Stars From Bridgerton, The Bold Type and More — See Full Schedule
Hallmark Channel is springing into love with its May for Moms event, featuring the cable premieres of five new movies loaded with familiar faces. Some of those faces belong to Kathryn Drysdale (Bridgerton), Paul Greene (When Calls the Heart), McKenzie Westmore (Passions), Dan Jeannotte (The Bold Type), Sarah Power (Good Witch) and Hallmark vet Holly Robinson Peete. More from TVLine ABC Sets Summer Premiere Dates for Martin Short-Led Match Game Revival, Bachelor in Paradise and More - But Where's Claim to Fame? What to Watch in May: Your Guide to 130+ Premieres Across Broadcast, Cable and Streaming Matthew Gray Gubler's Einstein Delayed at CBS Until 2026-27 Season - Find Out Why As for the movies, we have Hats Off to Love, set in the high-stakes world of horse racing; Love in the Clouds, the story of a hot air balloon pilot whose career brings him up into the clouds while his love life remains stuck in the mud; Love on the Danube: Love Song, which sees a pair of cruise passengers setting up their widowed parents; Love on the Danube: Royal Getaway, a story about a woman scorned; and Love on the Danube: Kissing Stars, which follows a publicist working with a difficult celebrity client. Check out Hallmark's full May movie lineup below, then drop a comment and tell us what you'll be watching! Premiere Date: Saturday, May 3 at 8/7c Starring: Ginna Claire Mason (A Holiday Spectacular), John Clarence Stewart (Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist) and Holly Robinson Peete (21 Jump Street) Synopsis: 'Stella (Mason) designs hats and fascinators for socialite Rosalind (Robinson Peete) and meets her son Christian (Stewart) who's training a horse to compete in the Louisville Derby.' Premiere Date: Saturday, May 10 at 8/7c Starring: Paul Greene (When Calls the Heart), McKenzie Westmore (Passions), Gail O'Grady (Revenge) and Lorenzo Lamas (Falcon Crest) Synopsis: 'Reporter Brooklyn (Westmore) travels to the Balloon Fiesta to meet hot air balloon pilot Jared (Greene), who offers romantic balloon rides but is closed off to love himself.' Premiere Date: Saturday, May 17 at 8/7c Starring: Nazneen Contractor (Ransom) and Wes Brown (Deck the Halls) Synopsis: 'Fellow cruise passengers Sarah (Contractor) and Jack (Brown) play matchmaker with their music-loving widowed parents as they cruise down the Danube visiting European cities.' Premiere Date: Saturday, May 24 at 8/7c Starring: Starring Jessica Sipos (Chesapeake Shores) and Dan Jeannotte (The Bold Type) Synopsis: 'A jilted art gallery manager (Sipos) takes her honeymoon cruise solo and meets a charming prince (Jeannotte) posing as a European gentleman, who shares her passion for art.' Premiere Date: Saturday, May 31 at 8/7c Starring: Sarah Power (Good Witch), Brendan Penny (Chesapeake Shores), Kathryn Drysdale (Bridgerton) and Catherine Disher (Good Witch) Synopsis: 'Savannah (Power), a publicist, reluctantly works with Tripp (Penny), a celebrity who is having trouble connecting with his fans, aboard a cruise promoting his latest film.' Best of TVLine Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More 'Missing' Shows, Found! The Latest on Severance, Holey Moley, Poker Face, YOU, Primo, Transplant and 25+ Others
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix Sets ‘The Age of Innocence' and ‘Unaccustomed Earth' Series Adaptations, Renews ‘Sweet Magnolias'
'The Age of Innocence' and 'Unaccustomed Earth' are getting series adaptations at Netflix, the streamer announced Wednesday in recognition of World Book Day. The news came in conjunction with a Season 5 series renewal for 'Sweet Magnolias. 'At Netflix, we love when stories transcend the page and light up the screen, allowing fans to experience beloved stories in new and exciting ways,' Jinny Howe, vice president of drama at Netflix, said in a statement. 'The impact of these adaptations can be so powerful that it not only captivates new audiences around the world, it also causes a resurgence in popularity for the original source material, with many books returning to bestseller lists many years after their initial release.' 'The Age of Innocence' is a passionate will-they/won't-they love triangle that explores themes of freedom, duty, identity and love. Based on Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the limited series will be a fresh take for a new generation and ask the question: 'What is love — and what is lust? And should we ultimately be driven by our heads or by our hearts?' Emma Frost ('The White Queen' and 'Shameless') will serve as showrunner, writer and executive producer. Based on Jhumpa Lahiri's award-winning collection of short stories, 'Unaccustomed Earth' follows a tight-knit Indian American community as they navigate love, desire and true belonging. The eight-episode drama series is set in Cambridge, Massachusetts and centers around a star-crossed romance between a devoted wife and her long-lost love. When a scandalous affair is born, it forms a battle between families in their 'intensely inter-connected immigrant community.' John Wells ('The Pitt') will serve as showrunner, writer and executive producer while Madhuri Shekar ('3 Body Problem') serves as writer and executive producer. Nisha Ganatra ('Late Night' and 'Freakier Friday') serves as an executive producer and will also direct the first episode. Lahiri, Erica Saleh, Erin Jontow and Celia Costas will also executive produce the show. Netflix also announced the renewal of 'Sweet Magnolias' for a fifth season. The show follows lifelong best friends Maddie (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) and Helen (Heather Headley) as they juggle relationships, family and careers in the charming small town of Serenity, South Carolina. The show is based on the New York Times best-selling author Sherryl Woods' book series. The drama routinely ranks among the streamer's Global Top 10 list in over 60 countries. Sheryl J. Anderson ('Ties That Bind') returns as showrunner and executive producer; Dan Paulson ('Chesapeake Shores'), who produces through Daniel L. Paulson Productions, returns as an executive producer, Matt Drake ('Chesapeake Shores') will serve as an executive producer and Norman Buckley will serve as co-executive producer. Netflix has a long history of successful book-to-TV adaptations, including hit shows like 'The Perfect Couple,' 'Bridgerton,' Harlan Coben's 'Missing You' and 'Just One Look' and 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder,' among others. The post Netflix Sets 'The Age of Innocence' and 'Unaccustomed Earth' Series Adaptations, Renews 'Sweet Magnolias' appeared first on TheWrap.
Express Tribune
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Bingeing on comfort
Did you start watching the first episode of This Is Us for Milo Ventimiglia and stayed on for the story? Did you start watching Sweet Magnolias, Virgin River and Chesapeake Shores while doing chores, were drawn to the scenery and music, and started binging for the small-town shenanigans? Survey across the net show that people love to watch American family dramas because they offer a relatable reflection of everyday life experiences, allowing us to connect with characters facing familiar challenges like relationship conflicts, family dynamics, personal growth, and sometimes even societal issues, all within a setting that feels grounded and familiar, often providing a sense of comfort and emotional engagement. I am too a sucker for pretty productions where I get to see breathtakingly beautiful scenery, gorgeous homes, good-looking people, an air of general well-being and comfortable storylines. It's what I need in the chaotic city life where basic, systemic issues drain you on a daily basis. I do deplore them for the cheesiness galore, but I can't wait for the next seasons to arrive, hope they do. If you binge-watched shows like Virgin River, Hart of Dixie, Gilmore Girls, Sweet Magnolias, This Is Us, and Chesapeake Shores, you will understand exactly what I am talking about. The traditional one-hour family drama genre, once a staple of primetime TV lineups, in recent years might have been pushed to the backburner by darker, more provocative drama projects like You, for instance, but most family dramas like these depict situations that resonate with our own lives, whether it's dealing with parents, siblings, partners, or tackling career challenges, so you instantly fall in love with them and empathise with everything happening to them. Ofcourse, the focus on family dynamics often leads to complex emotional storylines, allowing viewers to experience a range of feelings like joy, sadness, anger, and hope alongside the characters. We devour the episodes that roll out in several subsequent seasons as the long-running storylines allow for deep character development, making viewers feel invested in the lives of the characters and their journeys. We love it if a birthday, anniversary or any other celebration is coming up, while weddings that belong to dreams, are the best. Family dramas also provide a sense of escapism, allowing us to "live vicariously" through the characters' experiences. There is also a nostalgic feeling by depicting specific eras or family values, creating a comforting, familiar vibe. Although the typical Hallmark Channel production is not my favourite, I prefer darker concepts, or thrillers but American family drama for lack of a better comparison, is like a good, old marriage! You can go back to it, night after night, it feels good, heartwarming, a tad predictable, a wee bit romantic, some light-hearted conflict that has a positive outcome. At least that's what a committed relationship should feel like. Who can handle dramatic highs and lows on a daily-basis after a hectic day! The darker, more sinister and pessimistic views of human nature and life as in You or Stranger Things is a different ballgame altogether, for when the season ends, the next-level thrill has drained you as though you have finished a tough bootcamp. Ironically, shot mostly in Canada, the settings in cheesy American family drama invariably are small-town. The good-looking people are oh-so-good, their moral and human values high, and their homes so pretty. Usually there is one character who is a city sicker and has moved to a small-town where everyone knows everyone and has their nose deep into each other's business. But they don't judge, don't get jealous or envious, don't hate and even if a teeny bit of misdemeanour happens by anyone, they feel guilty, apologise and pledge to a stronger bond! Seriously, the people are angelic, optimistic and intensely feel for each other. They help and sacrifice for each other and say meaningful, sincere stuff to each other [that seems to come right off wall plaques, the Bible or sayings of great people] as a matter of normal conversation! All of this happens against stunning scenery, unforgettable locations, peaceful, epic lakes, towering pine trees, plunging waterfalls. You gape at the sweeping drone shots of luminous green canopies, idyllic wood cabins in lush forests that could easily make a commercial film for a national park. 'There are a lot of great television shows out there but many are darker and edgier and have a supernatural twist,' says Michelle Vicary, Hallmark Channel executive vice president of programming. 'That's a great television experience on other networks, but we found that there's an audience for family dramas, if you do it right.' Chesapeake Shores has the high-powered career woman Abby O'Brien, who left her hometown Chesapeake Shores and moved to New York. She receives a panicked phone call from her younger sister Jess, who has renovated the charming Inn at Eagle Point. She returns to the Maryland town her father built has many sad memories for Abby, thanks to her demanding career, divorce, and two school-age daughters, she hasn't had any time to spare. Saving the inn from foreclosure means dealing with not only her fractured family but also with Trace Riley, the man she left 10 years ago. Lovely visuals, great music, instantly hooked. Multigenerational family drama Chesapeake Shores, and Virgin River are based on a novel series by Sherryl Woods and Robyn Carr's 21-novel series respectively. Chesapeake Shores was considered one of Hallmark's top-performing shows for a significant period, and was the most-watched original scripted series in network history. It finished as one of Hallmark Channel's youngest skewing series, drawing more 18-49-year-old female viewers than its other scripted content. This Is Us, which follows a family of three kids — two siblings and an adopted child with the same birthday — throughout their childhood and adult lives, was a. surprise hit. Its viewership skyrocketed after landing on Netflix, boosting the NBC drama into Nielsen's Top 10 most-watched streamed shows. Since arriving on the streamer, This Is Us logged 929 million viewing minutes across Netflix and Hulu in one week, becoming the eighth most watching streaming series of the week overall. The viewership exceeded the 756 million minutes viewed of 'NCIS' on Netflix and Paramount+. Amy Winter, executive vice president and general manager of family-targeted network UP, believes that the success of This Is Us shows there is an audience yearning for more family dramas. 'While they do have a certain soapiness to them, I would say that some of the stickiest plotlines that you ever see out there do relate to love and family and relationships that exist within the family,' Winter says. 'Usually at the centre of those dramas are people that feel like family to you, and you want to root for, and you end up picking your favourites.' According to Winter, the family-drama genre appeals to viewers at the older end of the millennial demographic, age 25-34, who are settling down with families and seeking programming they can identify as family viewing. 'Some of these noisier, darker high-concept shows are definitely in the zeitgeist right now, but shows like This Is Us are proof that when you have quality storytelling, word of mouth will travel and people will come to it,' Winter says. 'There's also a misperception that the cooler, edgier and darker you go, the more you capture the younger side of this audience, but the quality storytelling in these one-hour dramas goes beyond something that might be more gimmicky.' Virgin River, about a nurse practitioner Melinda Monroe, who moves from Los Angeles to a remote Northern California town, bumps into the most good-looking bar owner/Iraq-war vet, falls in love with him and the pretty town with incredibly nice people has never disappointed when it comes to romance, small-town dramatic developments. While season five of Virgin River briefly dethroned Suits as the chart-topper, season 6 is running and the season 7 officially confirmed. The comfort show that The Guardian calls 'a superior soap' returned right before Christmas to deliver more drama, the wedding we've all waited for and numerous surprises. Very cheesy, with a reputation for overly sentimental storylines, predictable plots, and dialogue leaning heavily on cliche and happy endings, borders on saccharine, but it totally hooks. [True confession, my eyes teared at Jack and Mel's wedding when Doc Mullins gave his fatherly speech.] Virgin River depicting the strangely dramatic life of a small, isolated American community is not prestige TV. It is not as slick as Succession, as smart as Better Call Saul, nor as big-budgeted or brash as Stranger Things. It's cosy, and homely, and despite occasional attempts at scandal, makes Call The Midwife look edgy. That said, it's endlessly charming perfectly comfortable in its own skin, which is perhaps why it's developed such a dedicated following. Heartwarming for some, cheesy for others, the emphasis on family unity and reconciliation can sometimes feel overly simplistic and predictable but for those yet to be swept up in this intoxicating brand of fantasy entertainment, there is something substantial here too. It is all too pretty to be true, people are too nice, too sweet, too sincere and understanding, apologies are generous, and misunderstandings short, these comfortable and easy-watching shows are incredibly de-stressing and decompressing. The implausible relationships and cliched stories do teach a thing or two about handling people and situations gently, and infact, living life gently. Not everything has to be loud and brash and dramatic, or scary and freak you out, does it? In real life, there is illness and death, but in these shows, sick and dead have passed away a long time ago and only there in pictures that their loved ones are finally well enough to look at in their happily-ever-after lives. The world they depict is an immensely soothing feeling, although I must admit the cheesiness makes me barf quite a few times — we so desire a bit of wickedness, a bit of being a monster or a tint of evil! But in the world of Sweet Magnolias, Virgin River, and Chesapeake Shores, evil hardly exists, at least it is not explicit. There is no murder, sexual assaults, not homicide, and nothing perverse, unlike real life. What's wrong with living in such a world, even if it is for a few seasons?
