Debapriya Bhattacharya
Directed by Jessica Harmon, the romantic drama film ‘Catch of the Day’ follows Sophie, a rising star in the culinary world who is soon to become an executive chef at a premier restaurant in Manhattan. However, when her sister Abigail informs her that their family seafood joint in Montauk, Long Island, is struggling to keep its doors open, Sophie keeps her dreams on hold and returns home to help. While she expected it to be a short visit, Sophie ends up rediscovering her roots as well as her passion for her work. Fate also sets her up for a second chance with her teenage crush, Cam, who has been working as a local fisherman. The two last met when Cam kissed Sophie back in the seventh grade. As single grown-ups in the scenic small town by the sea, they find themselves in the perfect place to explore the dynamics with each other.
Where Was Catch of the Day Filmed?
Primary filming of ‘Catch of the Day’ took place in June 2025 in Victoria, British Columbia. However, to deliver on the authenticity of the narrative setting, some scenes have also been captured in the state of New York, especially in Montauk. In an interview with Scary Mommy, co-writer and star Katherine Lee said of her shooting experience, “I actually started to cry. It really took my breath away to see it all come to life … same thing when I got the first cut of the movie to watch. I had tears coming down my face. It was really a moment for me.”
Victoria, British Columbia
The city of Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia province, is a popular shooting destination for various Hallmark projects, especially with its picturesque townscape that can be presented both as urban and rural, depending on the requirements of the narrative. Sharing her experience of shooting on the podcast ‘All on the Table,’ Katherine Lee expressed, “We filmed on Victoria (sic) Island, and it was breathtakingly beautiful.” The majority of scenes in ‘Catch of the Day’ were captured in the city. It is known for its mild climate, colonial architecture, and attractions like the Butchart Garden, all of which aid in the filming process.
The scenic beauty of the place allows it to easily blend in with the backdrop of Montauk, where the story takes place. As the past and present cityscapes collide in the region, it perfectly sets up the ambience of a rustic hamlet by the beach that helps Sophie get back in touch with her true self. Over the years, several other Hallmark movies have been filmed in the city. These include ‘It Was Always You,’ ‘Once Upon a Prince,’ ‘A Kismet Christmas,’ and ‘To All a Good Night,’ among others.
Montauk, New York
With the story of ‘Catch of the Day’ being set in the village of Montauk at the east end of the Long Island peninsula, some of the scenes, especially the long shots that establish the setting and drive the narrative forward, have been captured in the location itself. Real-life establishments from the village formed the backdrop of many scenes to complete the illusion that the entire shoot was done on location. While the long beaches and the steep cliff overlooking them showcase the natural beauty of the place where Sophie and Cam rekindle their feelings for each other, it is the Montauk Point Lighthouse that stands tall to establish the exact location of the unfolding events.
Situated at 2000 Montauk Highway, the lighthouse is a historic monument that is intertwined with the history of the region. It is the oldest lighthouse in the state of New York and was commissioned by President George Washington in 1792. The construction was completed in 1796, and it has been maintained by the Montauk Historical Society. Cam’s profession in the film as a fisherman is validated by the hamlet being one of the most popular fishing destinations in the country. It also has the largest commercial and recreational fishing fleet in the state. While it makes Montauk a popular tourist destination, its population averages north of only 4000.
Katherine Lee, chef, author, and media personality, who co-wrote the film, shared on her podcast ‘All on the Table’ that the story and its location came to her while she was reading an article in the New York Times about Montauk, where millennials started to take over family businesses to keep them out of the hands of developers. Over the years, the village has served as the shooting destination for movies such as ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ and ‘No Hard Feelings.’
Catch of the Day Cast Details
The small but talented cast of ‘Catch of the Day’ is led by Emilie Ullerup and Michael Rady. Both actors are Hallmark veterans and are well acquainted with production norms. However, this is the first time they are paired against each other, and the spark is seen between them from the moment they meet on screen.
Emilie Ullerup as Sophie
Danish actress Emilie Ullerup plays the lead role of Sophie in ‘Catch of the Day.’ Making her debut in 2006 with the television series remake of ‘Battlestar Galactica,’ Emilie gained popularity playing Ashley Magnus in ‘Sanctuary’ and Bree O’Brien in ‘Chesapeake Shores.’ A known face on the Hallmark Channel, her other works on the network include ‘Nature of Love’ and ‘Christmas Bells Are Ringing.’ She also stars in projects such as ‘True Memoirs of an International Assassin,’ ‘Brazen,’ ‘Life on the Line,’ and ‘Supernatural.’
Michael Rady as Cam
Starring opposite Emilie is Michael Rady as Cam. The actor made his screen debut playing Kostas Dounas in the 2005 film ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,’ a role that he reprises in the 2008 sequel. Known for his work on both big and small screens, Michael’s roles include Nick Zingaro in ‘The Guardian,’ Agent Jones in ‘J. Edgar,’ Chris Childs as ‘Magnum P.I.,’ Dr. Matt Cooper in ‘Chicago Med,’ and Nicholas Keynes in ‘Timeless.’ His work with the Hallmark channel includes ‘Cloudy With a Chance of Love,’ ‘Christmas in Homestead,’ ‘Two Turtle Doves,’ and ‘Unexpected Grace.’
The other ensemble cast members of ‘Catch of the Day’ are Alison Wandzura as Sophie’s sister, Abigail Monahan, Katherine “Katie” Lee as food influencer Marissa, Sharon Crandall as Evelyn James, Layla Verreault as Mia, and Amanda Huxtable as Julie.
