Naman Shrestha
In Lifetime’s ‘When I Said I Do,’ inspired by the eponymous song by Clint and Lisa Hartman Black, we get acquainted with Ali Corley, a widowed search-and-rescue K-9 handler who deals with grief after her husband lost his life in the line of duty. As she has rebuilt her life with the support of her loved ones, Ali is not yet ready to give love another try. That is, until she crosses paths with a reserved, seasoned rescue specialist named Shawn Willis, who is dealing with his own past.
As Ali and Shawn spend more time together, they find themselves falling in love. Meanwhile, they must also face their own grief and fear and decide whether they wish to dip their toes back into love. Directed by Stefan Brogren, the romantic drama movie unfolds in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings, including the wooded areas where Ali and Shawn bond while working. What is otherwise considered eerie and dark serves as an opportunity for love to blossom, highlighting that love can be found in the most unexpected places.
Where Was When I Said I Do Filmed?
The shooting for ‘When I Said I Do’ took place entirely in Ontario, particularly in Ottawa and Carleton Place. According to reports, principal photography for the Lifetime production was conducted in March 2026 over more than two weeks. As the premiere date approached, the director, Stefan Brogren, took to social media and shared a few details about the shooting process. He stated, “We endured insane weather and a super tight schedule. We ended up with such a beautiful movie that went so beyond my expectations. It doesn’t hurt having @clintblack and @lisahartmanblackofficial_ backing it all up with what has to be the most romantic ballad ever. Incredible crew. Incredible cast.”
Ottawa, Ontario
Located in Ontario’s southern portion, Ottawa served as the primary production location for ‘When I Said I Do.’ The filming unit made the most of the vast and versatile locales of Canada’s capital city. To be specific, on March 9, 2026, the cast and crew members were spotted taping key indoor and outdoor portions on Elgin Street. They reportedly took over a couple of businesses in the area, including The Waverley Elgin at 339 Elgin Street and Giulia at 350 Elgin Street, for shooting purposes.
Carleton Place, Ontario
The production team of the Lifetime film also set up camp in Lanark County’s Carleton Place, located several miles west of downtown Ottawa. With the Carleton Place Town Hall in the backdrop, they lensed several outdoor scenes on Bridge Street involving Ali and Shawn walking and talking. Other places in the city that served as filming locations on Bridge Street include Central Bridge, outside St. James Gate, across the street from Scotiabank, outside Chasin’ Turkeys Bowling Alley, and outside FRESKA Café & Eatery.
When I Said I Do Cast Details
Through their chemistry-filled performances, Sarah Drew and Eric Johnson helped bring the romantic narrative of ‘When I Said I Do’ to life. The former has served as an executive producer for multiple projects, including ‘A Carpenter Christmas Romance,’ ‘A Cowboy Christmas Romance,’ ‘Mistletoe Murders,’ and ‘How She Caught a Killer.’ On the other hand, Eric has quite a few directorial credits to his name for short films like ‘Shelly,’ ‘Fishbowl,’ and ‘Candy from Strangers.’
Sarah Drew as Ali Corley
In the Lifetime production, Sarah Drew steps into the role of Ali Corley, the widowed K-9 handler. Given her decades of experience in the film industry, the multi-talented actor is known for portraying several major characters, including Mary Helen in ‘Radio,’ Mac Graves in ‘Reindeer Games Homecoming,’ Allyson in ‘Mom’s Night Out,’ Dr. April Kepner in ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ Cindy Turner in ‘Cruel Summer,’ and Nora in ‘Supernatural.’
Eric Johnson as Shawn Willis
Eric Johnson dons the garb of Shawn Willis, the charming rescue specialist and Ali’s romantic interest, in ‘When I Said I Do.’ You might find his face familiar as he stars in ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ and ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ as Jack Hyde, ‘Vikings’ as Erik, and ‘The Knick’ as Dr. Everett Gallinger. He also has other movies and TV shows to his credit, including ‘A Million Miles Away,’ ‘A Christmas Less Traveled,’ ‘Saint-Pierre,’ ‘American Gods,’ ‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin,’ ‘Condor,’ ‘Caught,’ and ‘Smallville.’
The romantic drama movie also stars Lisa Hartman and Clint Black as Podcast hosts, alongside Hattie Kragten as Olivia, Kathryn Greenwood as Linda, Jayne Heitmeyer as Dale Redder, and Mark Ballantyne as Ben. Various other talented actors appear in supporting roles, including Ronnie Rowe as Brett, Sarah Camacho as Betty, Sara Faisal as Waitress, Wes Malik as Dr. Warren, Sam Wexler as Peter, and John Koensgen as Innis.
Read More: County Rescue: Filming Locations and Cast Details
