In Hallmark’s ‘Date with Love,’ a small-town boy named David finds himself in a desperate situation after being rejected by numerous girls for the upcoming Prom. Subsequently, he puts out an online video asking his celebrity crush, Alex Allen, to a Prom date. Surprisingly, she accepts, saving him from the humiliation of showing up to Prom alone. However, matters get complicated when Alex starts falling for David’s high school teacher, Vincent Walsh, a handsome and charming man. As attraction develops, both David and Alex question their life choices and wonder if the perfect partner has been right beside them all along. Under the direction of Ron Oliver, the romantic film delves into a high school story with all the joys and anxieties of adolescence and the picturesque backdrop of a hometown aesthetic.
Where Was Date with Love Filmed?
Although set in Arlington Heights, Illinois, ‘Date with Love’ was primarily filmed in the British Columbia province, specifically in the cities of Langley and Vancouver. Principal photography took place under the title ‘Promposal’ between March 21 and April 8, 2016. Over the years, the British Columbia region has carved out a unique reputation because of its lush natural sites and dense urban neighborhoods. The blend between these contrasting aesthetics has made it a regular haunt for Hallmark movies and for filmmakers in general. It offers a wide array of diverse locales that are perfect for every type of situation and context, depending on the film’s narrative. In the Ron Oliver directorial, an emphasis is placed on a small-town environment brimming with high school buildings and suburban houses, both of which add a charming quality to the movie’s romantic themes.
Langley Township, British Columbia
Filming for ‘Date with Love’ took place in the beautiful community of Langley Township, British Columbia. The township is mostly famous for its low-key atmosphere, quaint neighborhoods, and diverse regional offerings. Situated in the southwest corner of British Columbia, the area is often overlooked because of its close proximity to other major hubs like Vancouver. However, its feel-good atmosphere is abundantly present throughout the Hallmark production. The film crew set up shop at the Yorkson Creek Middle School at 20686 84 Avenue for a large chunk of the high school scenes. The establishment stands in for the fictional J.W. Hughes High School attended by David and his friend Bailey. It is also where David’s celebrity crush, Alex, meets his high school teacher, Vincent.
The Murayville region within Langley also plays a big part in the film, as some key scenes were recorded in the suburban community. The scenes featuring David’s elegant family house, which is manicured from various angles, are likely recorded here. While Langley may not be showered with attention like its neighboring regions, the township has thrived as a small haven untouched by the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life. It is also an area that is diverse in its population, offering essential services like good schooling, healthcare, and jobs while also maintaining a small-town vibe that helps it stand out from the usual fare. Some Hallmark movies that have been filmed in the Langley include ‘Mystery on Mistletoe Lane,’ ‘The Nine Lives of Christmas’ and ‘Hitched for the Holidays.’
Vancouver, British Columbia
Another vital filming location for ‘Date with Love’ was the seaport city of Vancouver, British Columbia. The city is well known as a center of culture and commerce and has forged a legacy as a popular filmmaking destination. It is also a regular traveling spot for tourists, who have a variety of attractions to choose from, including vibrant nightlife, shopping centers, art museums, and gardens. The notable landmarks in the city include Stanley Park, Gastown Steam Clock, Vancouver Aquarium, Bloedel Conservatory, Vancouver Seawall, and the VanDusen Botanical Garden. However, the most eye-catching of its destinations is the Lions Gate Bridge, which runs over the first narrows of Burrard Inlet. In the past, the city has hosted productions on popular films and shows like ‘The Night Agent,’ ‘Supernatural,’ ‘The Last of Us,’ ‘Shōgun,’ and ‘Longlegs.’
Date with Love Cast Details
‘Date with Love’ is brought to life by the performances of Shenae Grimes-Beech, Andrew Walker, Bailee Madison, and Quinn Lord, alongside some notable supporting roles. Grimes-Beech is no stranger to Hallmark roles, having excelled in a few of them over the years. She is also an entrepreneur, podcast host, and YouTuber. Like Grimes-Beech, Walker is also a Hallmark regular, with appearances in over 20 movies for the network. Madison is a multifaceted actress who has showcased her versatility and talent across the board through acting, singing, and songwriting. Lord began his acting career at the tender age of five and is a compelling screen performer.
Shenae Grimes-Beech as Alex Allen
Shenae Grimes-Beech stars as the publicly humiliated celebrity, Alex Allen, who is looking to reinvent her brand. She is best known for her appearances as Annie Wilson on CW’s ‘90210,’ Darcy Edwards in ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation,’ Annie Wilson in ‘90210,’ and Trudie in ‘Scream 4.’ She can also be seen in ‘Naturally, Sadie,’ ‘The Detail,’ ‘iZombie,’ ‘Date With Love,’ and Hallmark’s ‘When I Think of Christmas.’
Andrew Walker as Vincent Walsh
Starring opposite Grimes-Beech is Andrew Walker as the high school teacher, Vincent Walsh. He is most noted for playing Michael Downey in ‘Steel Toes,’ Rick in ‘The Torturer,’ Kevin Jenner in ‘Snowed-Inn Christmas,’ and Jack Carlson in ‘Abducted: Fugitive for Love.’ His other notable credits include ‘Maybe It’s Me,’ ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch,’ ‘Hot Properties,’ and ‘CSI: NY.’
Bailee Madison as Heidi Watts
Bailee Madison features in the Hallmark film as high schooler Heidi Watts. Despite being relatively young, she has an impressive acting résumé with notable roles such as May Belle Aarons in ‘Bridge to Terabithia,’ Maggie in the Adam Sandler-starrer ‘Just Go with It,’ Sally in ‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark,’ Young Snow White in ‘Once Upon a Time,’ and Imogen Adams in Max’s ‘Pretty Little Liars.’ She received broad acclaim for her role as Isabelle Cahill in 2009’s ‘Brothers,’ starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire, and Natalie Portman. Additionally, the actress features in Hallmark’s ‘Good Witch,’ ‘The Fosters,’ ‘The Hardy Boys,’ and ‘Parental Guidance.’
Quinn Lord as David Rogers
Quinn Lord stars as David Rogers, a high school boy desperate to land a date for his upcoming Prom. Lord gained traction for his performances as Thomas Smith in ‘The Man in the High Castle,’ James Riley in ‘Deadman Standing,’ Sean in ‘Firefly Lane,’ and Gabe in Hallmark’s ‘Call Me Mrs. Miracle.’ He also appears in ‘A Glenbrooke Christmas,’ ‘The 100,’ ‘Once Upon a Time,’ and ‘Trick ‘r Treat.’
Other cast members include Andrea Brooks as Paige Sumner, Caroline Cave as Ms. Hope, Milli Wilkinson as Devyn Rogers, Raugi Yu as Howard Lee, Larissa Dias as Courtney Cordell, Michelle Creber as Bree, and Anne Openshaw as Catherine Rogers. The Hallmark romance also features Chelsea Mae Leung as Andrea, Drew Ray Tanner as Colin Hartling, Kirstin Robillard as Rebecca Havercroft, Zahf Paroo as Jeremy Mitchell, and Robert Parent as Nathan Rogers.
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