Upamanyu Biswas
Helmed by Steven R. Monroe, ‘The Sweetest Heart’ tells the story of Maddie, the owner of a cupcake shop facing difficult times. When a handsome investment banker offers Maddie help with her struggling business, she finds herself slowly but surely turning things around. However, when her first love, Nate, returns home after 14 years of being away, Maddie’s relationship with her new helper is disrupted as she begins wondering which man is the best for her. Based on Catherine Lanigan’s 2014 novel ‘Heart’s Desire,’ the Hallmark romance dives into a small-town setting that captures the charm and magic of a young entrepreneur’s dreams to map out her life, which extends to her beautiful bakery shop. Its cozy and warm interiors play a vital role in illustrating the themes at the film’s heart, especially as Maddie tries her best to juggle her feelings with responsibility.
Where Was The Sweetest Heart Filmed?
‘The Sweetest Heart’ was filmed in the British Columbia province, mainly in the city of Langley and Langley Township. The region is a regular haunt for Hallmark projects owing to its blend of scenic natural landscapes and its wide array of low-key urban environments, which can double as any rural backdrop. Principal photography for the movie began on January 22 and was wrapped up on February 5, 2018. The interior scenes, in particular, were vital as Maddie’s bakery shop lies at the center of the narrative. To achieve the perfect result, the production team recorded most of the film on-site, allowing for a greater sense of depth and authenticity to creep into the story. Real-life establishments and outdoor locales were used as the main backdrop to complete the illusion of a small but quaint town.
Langley, British Columbia
Filming for ‘The Sweetest Heart’ primarily took place in the picturesque neighborhoods and shops of Langley, British Columbia. The city is specifically known for its delightful eateries, which are prominently highlighted in the Hallmark movie. The film crew utilized the Frosting Cupcakery & Bake Shop, a permanently closed down establishment situated at 20411 Fraser Highway, to double up as Maddie’s cupcake shop in the movie. Although Maddie wishes to expand the shop in the film, the actual store is much larger in its dimensions than the one portrayed in the movie. The team constructed a wall to make it feel limited in space. Additionally, a “For Lease” sign was hung on another section to make it appear as if the building was vacant. The crew spent around a week lensing shots in and around the store.
Langley Township, British Columbia
Another important filming location was the Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery at 6179 248 Street in the Township of Langley, British Columbia, which is a district municipality separate from the city of Langley. It is a farm and vineyard estate that also contains an on-site market meant to sell produce grown within the premises. The Langley Township is home to nearly 150,000 people and combines both rural and urban neighborhoods, capturing the best of both worlds. Its seamless blend of different lifestyles works to its favor in ‘The Sweetest Heart,’ as much of the narrative unfolds in rural environments featuring charming urban attractions. In the past, the area hosted productions on ‘The Nine Lives of Christmas,’ ‘Mrs. Miracle,’ and ‘Mystery on Mistletoe Lane.’
The Sweetest Heart Cast
‘The Sweetest Heart’ stars Julie Gonzalo as Maddie. She is a Hallmark regular best known for her roles as Maggie Dekker in ‘Eli Stone,’ Parker Lee on ‘Veronica Mars,’ Andrea Rojas on ‘Supergirl,’ Pamela Rebecca Barnes on ‘Dallas,’ and Blair Krank in ‘Christmas with the Kranks.’ Her other notable credits include ‘Lucifer,’ ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘The Good Doctor,’ and ‘Cut, Color, Murder.’
Starring opposite Gonzalo is her real-life husband, Chris McNally, who plays Maddie’s first love, Nate. He is a talented actor who caught the public eye for his performances as Lucas Bouchard in Hallmark’s ‘When Calls the Heart,’ Sergei Brevlov in ‘Altered Carbon,’ Busboy in ‘Supernatural,’ and Ryan in ‘Falling Skies.’ He also appears in ‘Firefly Lane,’ ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,’ ‘Riverdale,’ and ‘Lucifer.’
Other cast members include Tammy Gillis as Sarah, Victor Zinck Jr. as Alex Perkins, Andrea Brooks as Chloe, Jordan Burtchett as Charley, Clayton James as Luke, and Jill Teed as Kristine Benoit. The Hallmark movie also features Malcolm Stewart as Roger Caldwell, Catherine Lough Haggquist as Emma Beabot, Mark Brandon as Dr. Langston, Audrey Mallett as Young Maddie, and Spencer Borgeson as Young Nate. Meanwhile, Guy Christie, Taylor Hastings, and Benita Ha appear in minor roles.
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