Upamanyu Biswas
Directed by Lee Friedlander, Hallmark’s ‘Sailing Into Love’ follows Claire Richards, a Biology teacher who resides in the quaint seaside town of Willow Bay. While juggling her duties as a bridesmaid for three weddings and teaching a summer class at the local Blue Island, Claire is distraught to learn that a land developer is seeking to build a resort on Blue Island, thereby destroying its natural beauty and untouched ecosystem. She enlists the help of sea captain Tom Hastings, who helps her combat the resort company’s plans and keep the island safe from outside influences. Over time, chemistry builds between the two central characters. The romantic movie dives into a myriad of scenic locations that help bring to life the pristine quality of the island and Claire’s hometown residence.
Where Was Sailing Into Love Filmed?
‘Sailing Into Love’ was mainly filmed in the British Columbia province, specifically in the towns of Victoria, Langford, and Colwood. Principal photography on the project began in March 2019 and was wrapped up on April 15. The British Columbia region is no stranger to Hallmark productions, having hosted the filming of countless films and shows over the years. However, the Lee Friedlander directorial is particularly notable because of its blend of picturesque locales in the area’s diverse spots. A combination of charming neighborhoods, natural sites, and hometown backdrops help fuel the fiction of Willow Bay and Blue Island, which are the two highlights of the movie. The production team utilized real-life locations to weave together a world that feels authentic and magical in its depiction, enhancing the romantic tension in the air.
Victoria, British Columbia
Filming for ‘Sailing Into Love’ took place in the city of Victoria, British Columbia’s capital. It sits on the southern part of the Vancouver Islands and is famed for its abundant parkland areas, which offer a break from the trappings of a dense and bustling metropolitan lifestyle. The city emphasizes the importance of sustainability and well-being in an individual’s existence, and its array of landmark attractions doubles down on those central notions. It is also a historical region, boasting Victoria-era architecture that showcases its British Colonial roots. Some of its well-known attractions include Craigdarroch Castle, Butchart Gardens, Fisherman’s Wharf Park, and Beacon Hill Park. The city was likely a pivotal spot for some emotional, dramatic scenes in the Hallmark film.
Langford, British Columbia
Another important filming location for ‘Sailing Into Love’ was the neighborhoods of Langford, British Columbia. The city is just a few km away from Victoria, allowing the film crew to move around without much disruption. Langford stands in for the fictional Willow Bay, which is the main town where Claire resides in the film. The region is mainly known for its three prominent lakes – Langford Lake, Glen Lake, and Florence Lake- which are abundantly stocked with trout. Thus, combining idyllic natural spots and low-key modern buildings helps capture the essence of the romantic drama’s central environment. Intriguingly, the area has hosted a few Hallmark movie productions. Some include ‘Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Reunited and It Feels So Deadly,’ ‘A Taste of Christmas,’ and ‘Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone.’
Colwood, British Columbia
Some scenes were also lensed in the gentle and quaint community of Colwood, British Columbia. It mainly doubles up as the fictional Blue Island that Claire and Tom are desperate to preserve from the land development plans of a resort company. One of the town’s main attractions, Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site, features quite prominently within the narrative, appearing recurringly in some key moments. It is situated at 603 Fort Rodd Hill Road in Victoria, BC. However, the lighthouse site is actually found on the Colwood side of Esquimalt Harbour. Interestingly, the Fisgard Lighthouse was the first lighthouse on the nation’s west coast, exemplifying its impressive history and longevity through the years.
Sailing Into Love Cast Details
‘Sailing Into Love’ is headlined by the compelling performances of Leah Renee, Chris McNally, and Fiona Vroom, alongside other crucial supporting roles. Renee is a multi-faceted talent who has showcased her range as an actor and singer. McNally has essayed some prominent roles through the years, including supporting parts in popular shows. He is also a Hallmark veteran, having starred in several projects by the network throughout his career. Vroom has shared the screen with household names like Christoph Waltz, Nicolas Cage, and Vera Farmiga. She is also a Hallmark regular herself.
Leah Renee as Claire Richards
Leah Renee stars as Biology teacher Claire Richards. She is best known for playing Bunny Alice in ‘The Playboy Club,’ Kara in ‘Blue Mountain State,’ Maggie Bronson in ‘Satisfaction,’ and Claire in ‘Falling for Christmas.’ She is also the voice of Melody in the animated series ‘Stickin’ Around’ and Pea Pod in ‘Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series.’ Her other notable credits include ‘Interstate 60,’ ‘Witchblade,’ and Hallmark’s ‘Love by the Book.’
Chris McNally as Tom Hastings
Starring alongside Renee is Chris McNally as the sailor captain Tom Hastings. His prominent works include appearing as Sergei Brevlov in ‘Altered Carbon,’ Ryan in ‘Falling Skies,’ Lucas Bouchard in ‘When Calls the Heart,’ Alan Mayberry in ‘Riverdale,’ and Mr. Waverly in ‘Firefly Lane.’ The actor can also be seen in ‘Supernatural,’ ‘Lucifer,’ Hallmark’s ‘3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost,’ and ‘Holiday Crashers.’
Fiona Vroom as Christine
Fiona Vroom features in the Hallmark romance as Christine. She reunites with her co-star, McNally, after appearing together in Netflix’s ‘Altered Carbon,’ where she plays Sandy Kim. She also stars as Ms. Gillies in ‘Snowpiercer,’ Barbara Beaumont in ‘The X-Files,’ and Carla in ‘The Man in the High Castle.’ She also appears in ‘Supernatural,’ ‘Murder in a Small Town,’ ‘Big Eyes,’ and Hallmark’s ‘Love in Store.‘
Other cast additions include Garry Garneau as Jason, Teagan Vincze as Amber, Samantha Kendrick as Bridget, Matt Hamilton as First Mate Mick, Andrew Airlie as Joseph, Charlie Nesbitt as Evan, Eric Gustafsson as David, Derek Green as Councilman Haines, Jillian Walchuck as Samantha, and Kayvon Kelly as TJ the DJ. ‘Sailing Into Love’ also features Samuel Braun as Jack, Jennifer Li as Wendy, Jarrod Evanyshyn as Mark, Fred Keating as Captain Will, Ronald Patrick Thompson as Surveyor, Tosca Baggoo as Mayor Shoemaker, Robbe Hardnette as The Minister, Giordana Venturi as Betty.
Read More: Date with Love: Filming Locations and Cast Details
