Naman Shrestha
An Eva Tavares directorial, Hallmark’s ‘Texas Two-Step’ centers on a young woman named Olivia, who takes a trip to her hometown in Texas, where her aunt owns a country music bar, Sweetwaters. In recent times, the bar has not been doing so well in terms of traffic and finances. While trying to help her aunt, Olivia rediscovers her lost passion for dancing. Moreover, she crosses paths with her childhood boyfriend, Luke, who is now a charming cowboy.
As Olivia reconnects with him, the two realize that time might have passed by, but their feelings for one another remain the same. As the title suggests, the romantic drama movie is set mostly in a small Texas town, which serves as a bridge between Olivia and her childhood memories and passions. Her aunt’s bar also serves as an additional character, helping the protagonist gain a new perspective on life.
Where Was Texas Two-Step Filmed?
While the events in ‘Texas Two-Step’ take place in Texas, it is not where the filming took place. Production on ‘Texas Two-Step’ was conducted in British Columbia, particularly in and around Kelowna. According to reports, principal photography for the romantic film commenced on March 21, 2026, and lasted nearly three weeks before wrapping on April 11 of the same year. As the premiere date approached, the director, Eva Tavares, took to social media and shared a few words about the production. She stated, “Big heart went into making this film from every angle. Huge love to our cast and crew.”
Kelowna, British Columbia
The production crew settled on the city of Kelowna in British Columbia to create the visual landscape for Olivia’s story as she heads back to her hometown and rekindles old connections and memories. Interestingly, a local legend, OK Corral Cabaret, doubled as Sweetwaters, Olivia’s aunt’s bar. Situated at 1978 Kirschner Road, it is known for excellent food options, vibrant ambiance, rustic decor, live music performances, line-dancing nights and other events, all of which have contributed to it being dubbed “Kelowna’s best country bar.”
To create the aesthetic of the small town in the film, shooting was reportedly conducted at several spots and neighborhoods in the area. Kelowna’s visual landscape ranges from sweeping views of the Okanagan Valley and vineyards to waterfront sites, countryside roads, and downtown settings. Aside from that, it also offers favorable weather conditions, experienced crews, and film-friendly policies and infrastructure, enabling it to stand in for Texas for the Hallmark production.
Texas Two-Step Cast Details
Heather Hemmens and Brendan Penny collaborate to bring the narrative of ‘Texas Two-Step’ to life through their chemistry-filled performances. Heather has showcased her directing abilities on two short films, ‘Designated’ and ‘Perils of an Active Mind.’ She also directed a couple of episodes of ‘Roswell, New Mexico.’ Meanwhile, Brendan has earned several Leo Awards nominations for his performances over the years.
Heather Hemmens as Olivia
In the Hallmark film, Heather Hemmens portrays Olivia, who returns to Texas to help her aunt’s country bar. Many of you might know her as Maria DeLuca from ‘Roswell, New Mexico,’ Melody Prescott from ‘Yellowstone,’ Stacy Collins from ‘Dad Stop Embarassing Me!,’ and Alice Verdura from ‘Hellcats.’ Her film credits include ‘The Snow Must Go On,’ ‘Complicity,’ ‘Come Fly with Me,’ ‘A Pinch of Portugal,’ and ‘The Candy Shop.’
Brendan Penny as Luke
Brendan Penny dons the garb of Luke, Olivia’s childhood lover, in ‘Texas Two-Step.’ You might find his face familiar because he features in ‘John Tucker Must Die’ as teammate #1, ‘The A-Team’ as C130J Pilot #1, ‘I Love You, Beth Cooper’ as Sean, and ‘Whistler’ as AJ Varland. He also stars in a number of popular TV shows, such as ‘Motive,’ ‘BH90210,’ ‘Chesapeake Shores,’ ‘Providence Falls,’ ‘Supernatural,’ and ‘The Dark Corner.’
Ayla Alger plays the Young Olivia, while Sawyer Watters portrays Young Luke. Furthermore, the romantic film features various other talented actors in supporting roles, including Zachary Joseph Fiorido as Hot Guy Model, Damon Gregory as Kenny, Loretta Walsh as Meryl James, Nathan Witte as Mason, Johnny V Wright as Dr.Bill, David Fung as Travis, and Wayne Corbeil as Townsfolk.
