Shubhabrata Dutta
‘Josh’s Third Serving’ is the third installment of Hallmark’s ‘Hearts Around the Table’ (originally called ‘The Hearts of Robin Lane’) movie series, the other three being ‘Jenna’s First Love,’ ‘Shari’s Second Act,’ and ‘Kiki’s Fourth Ingredient.’ Each movie in the collection follows one of the four adults who found their forever homes with Angie, their foster parent. This romance drama centers on Josh Adler and Ella Hawthorne, both teachers at the same high school. After their school’s extra-curricular budget is cut in half, the two decide to collaborate in the hope that they stand more of a chance by working together.
Starting with grassroots fundraising, the duo searches for a larger donation, finding an unexpected spark along the way. Directed by Mike Donis, the movie serves as a sweet ride set against the backdrop of a tight-knit community. Furthermore, the message of achieving something by working together requires a sense of togetherness, and the creative team successfully uses the various locales, indoors and outdoors, to add to the effect.
Where Was Josh’s Third Serving Filmed?
Filming of ‘Josh’s Third Serving’ took place extensively in the province of Ontario in the east-central part of the country, particularly in and around Newmarket. The production commenced in October 2024 and continued for several weeks before wrapping up likely in the same month. For the purpose of filming, the team utilized several locations that complemented the theme of the narrative. From what we can tell, the cast and crew had a lot of fun during the shooting of the Hallmark production. Talking about her experience on the set, Stephanie Bennett wrote, “what a gift to have worked with this team the last month. So grateful to be a part of this sweet story.”
Newmarket, Ontario
‘Josh’s Third Serving’ was shot in Newmarket, which offered a variety of backdrops that enhanced the visual aesthetic of the movie. The regional seat of the Regional Municipality of York, the town got its name from having served as a “New Market,” a market town after the Metropolitan Street Railway arrived there in 1899. The folks at Brain Power Studio, located at 189 Main St S, Newmarket, seemingly ensured that the team got to incorporate realism using a blend of classic and modern locales, ranging from local shops and stores to historical attractions that add timelessness to the overall aesthetic. Several cast members shared snippets from the set on their social media accounts, expressing their appreciation and gratitude for the team as well as the locals of the area.
In November 2024, actress Mindy Cohn shared a picture posing ahead of the Postmark Hotel, situated at 180 Main Street South, thanking the cast, crew, and the production company for a “sublime” experience. The picturesque landscapes and architecture of Newmarket offer a mix of urban and old-world charm, which makes it a favorable filming site for projects of various genres. Therefore, it is no surprise that the other installments of the ‘Hearts Around the Table’ collection, namely ‘Jenna’s First Love,’ ‘Shari’s Second Act,’ and ‘Kiki’s Fourth Ingredient’ were also taped in the region. Over the years, the diverse landscape of Newmarket has hosted the filming of several movies and shows. Some of the titles that were shot in the town are ‘The Vow,’ ‘My Perfect Romance,’ ‘Christmas Wedding Planner,’ ‘After the Storm,’ and ‘A Christmas Recipe for Romance.’
Georgian Bay, Ontario
It appears that a portion of the filming of ‘Josh’s Third Serving’ likely took place in Georgian Bay in the south-central part of the Loyalist Province. Considering the scenic views and stunning shoreline, the production team may have used them as the backdrops for many scenes, with the nearby stores becoming the add-ons to the movie’s community vibe. The balance between the indoor and outdoor locations contributed to the overall visual aesthetic.
Sets were made along the shoreline, preferably for establishment shots, while nearby shops and parks were used as backdrops for various scenes, upping the overall charm. The freshwater bay is also known as “La Mer douce” (the sweet/calm/fresh sea), which may have played a part in making the production crew opt for it, considering the freshness that the ‘Hearts Around the Table’ carries.
The Josh’s Third Serving Cast
‘The Josh’s Third’ features a talented and attractive cast led by Jake Epstein, Stephanie Bennett, and Mindy Cohn. The extensive experience they bring to their respective characters offers a sense of warmth and reliability to the audience. Jake and Stephanie’s magical dynamic, which comes from the way they pull off their respective parts, provides the movie with the signature Hallmark magic that viewers are attracted to. Adding to that is Mindy’s impressive performance, which weaves the narrative together. Jake and Mindy have shared the screen in ‘Jenna’s First Love,’ ‘Shari’s Second Act,’ and ‘Kiki’s Fourth Ingredient,’ and the camaraderie they have built on set is clearly visible in the movie.
Jake Epstein as Josh
In the romance drama film, Jake Epstein steps into the role of Josh Adler. The talented actor has several other Hallmark projects to his name, such as ‘Mistletoe Murders,’ ‘The Wedding Contract,’ ‘Eight Gifts of Hanukkah.’ He is best known for his performance as Brian Altman in ‘Suits,’ Alphonso Hargreeves in ‘The Umbrella Academy,’ and Chuck Russink in ‘Designated Survivor.’ For his compelling work as Craig Manning on ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation,’ the actor took home several accolades. Other credits of Jake include ‘Murdoch Mysteries,’ ‘The Hardy Boys,’ ‘Mistletoe Murders,’ ‘Hudson & Rex,’ and ‘Eight Gifts of Hanukkah.’
Stephanie Bennett as Ella
Stephanie Bennett plays Ella Hawthorne, a new teacher at Josh’s school. She too, like Jake, has worked in many Hallmark productions, having played Trish in ‘Wedding Season,’ Samantha in ‘Christmas Class Reunion,’ and Jaclyn in ‘The Nine Lives of Christmas,’ a role she reprised in its sequel ‘The Nine Kittens of Christmas.’ Her performance as Rebecca in ‘Are You My Daughter?’ won her a Leo Award. Among Stephanie’s well-known non-Hallmark projects are ‘Shadowhunters,’ ‘ Leprechaun: Origins,’ ‘Scorched Earth,’ and ‘Travelers.’
Mindy Cohn as Angie
Veteran actor Mindy Cohn plays Angie Hartman, the foster parent who keeps the family together. A member of VH1’s “100 Greatest Kid Stars” list, she is best known for the role of Natalie Green in the NBC sitcom ‘The Facts of Life,’ Maureen Tucker in ‘The Second Half,’ and Rosa Banducci in ’21 Jump Street.’ Her voice work as Velma in ‘What’s New, Scooby-Doo?’ earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination. Mindy’s other notable performances include ‘Mother Father Sister Brother Frank,’ ‘Palm Royale,’ ‘A Nice Girl Like You,’ and ‘You Light Up My Christmas,’ in which the surviving original cast of ‘The Facts of Life’ shows up.
The Hallmark production also stars Kathryn Davis as Kiki Mercer, while Ashley Newbrough essays the character of Jenna Whitaker. Steve Lund joins the cast as Andrew Clarington, whereas we see Mishael Morgan donning the garb of Shari Adams. Meanwhile, Brendan Morgan and Millie Davis play Evan James and Gina Taylor, respectively. Rounding out the ensemble are Monica Rodriguez Knox as Sandra Prentice, Justice James as Rory Nelson, Jocelyne Zucco as Ms. Curtis, Troy Blundell as Rick Bander, Vijay Mehta as Vik Gupta, Diane Johnstone as Dierdre Taylor. The talented supporting cast also comprises Al Bernstein as Principal Geller, Chris Gorys as Logan, and Priya Rao as Jane Gupta. All these actors bring alive the story with their performances, making ‘Josh’s Third Serving’ a heartwarming watch.
Read More: Hallmark’s Hearts Around the Table: Shari’s Second Act: Filming Locations and Cast Details
