
Brennan Elliott has been a familiar face on TV and in movies for close to two decades. and his recent work on Hallmark Channel includes headlining The Nanny Express opposite Vanessa Marcil, and appearing last year with Mia Kirshner and Barry Watson in Kiss at Pine Lake. That appearance led him to join the network’s backdoor pilot for Cedar Cove last year, which turned into a weekly gig, and this season, his character, Warren, gets a story arc of his very own.
A character we were supposed to love to hate, Warren was introduced in season one as a real estate developer and fiance to Justine, Olivia’s daughter. Bliss was short-lived as Justine realized she didn’t want marriage, didn’t want Warren, and her former sweetheart, Seth, re-entered the picture. Warren ended up the ostensible villain as he spun deals, attracted the attention of the Feds, and maybe torched a restaurant he was selling to Justine and Seth.
This season, Warren is set for a sort of redemption story, and we chatted exclusively with Elliott about what to expect.
“This is a season I’m really proud of because there’s a lot more for Warren to do and one of the story line is with Jack’s son, and it’s a nice, complex storyline. I think the audiences will really like it. And Warren causes more trouble,” he says. “Last season, I never felt like Warren was developed. The network loved him and the audience loved him but [we didn’t know] where to put him. This season, we found his voice and his place in the town and it’s secure and it’s here for season two, season five, season ten… He’s here now, they’re writing more for him to do more–stuff that’s really fun. He’s kind of the cad, and the [comedic relief] and I’m having a really good time with it.”
Elliott was asked to do Warren after working with director Michael Scott on Kiss at Pine Lake. “It was the first time I’d played a corporate suit character,” he recalls. “A year later, he called and asked me to come play a similar character. I came down and shot it and it got picked up. I was only supposed to d a few episodes and I’m still here. The audience’s response to him has been really touching and profound and it’s a testament to them. Audiences love to hate him or love him. He adds a little character and color to the show. Playing the bad guy has always been fun and I try to find some nuances of charm and likability. I’m having a really great time with him. He’s probably one of my favorite characters that I’ve played.”

The series shoots near Vancouver, and Elliott says that definitely helps with the familial vibe of the show. “That available stimulus is very supportive of our chemistry. We’re friendly and are friends and get along great,” he says. “It does feel like a family. We enjoy ourselves and that radiates in the episodes. It’s very fresh and we have fun and we all respect each other and enjoy each other’s work. I think the small town [aspect] makes us feel like we’re doing something simple and different and we don’t have that big city feel.”
Cedar Cove fills a niche that’s currently pretty small on television and Elliott hears that from fans. He recently met a couple at the airport who stopped him to say hello and take pictures, and the woman told him it’s one of the only shows she watches where they finish an episode and feel better. “I think that’s how we’ve connected with the audience. When you leave, you feel good,” he says. “We wanted to do something different that’s not on TV that has a bit of edge and that’s something we take pride in.”
During the last hiatus, Elliott did a guest spot on The Crazy Ones for CBS, “I had worked on the pilot, and the execs enjoyed my work and it came back around I was on set for a day and worked with Sarah Michelle Gellar, who’s a doll, and I met Robin Williams, who’s a legend, and had a great time,” he says.
He’s disappointed for them that the series wasn’t picked up, but understands it’s the nature of the business. He credits Hallmark with giving Cedar Cove a chance to finds its legs. “We’re kind protected because Hallmark gave us time to find our voice,” he says. “This year, we found what we wanted to do and I think this season is going to be fantastic. There are also some really brilliant people coming on and doing some really nice stuff. Bill Abbott, Michelle Vicary, and Randy Pope [at Hallmark]…I’ll work with them til I’m in the box. They’re the most brilliant minds and they’re really, really supportive of collaboration and whatever we need to be successful.”
Elliott is happy to have found a longterm role. “I love telling stories and getting a chance to act. It’s an honor. We all feel like we’re living a dream and we should be appreciative of it,” he says of his Cedar Cove family. “I prefer to have a regular series job or a major recurring job, or a movie that lasts a few months to really dig into a character. When you guest star, you don’t get a lot of time and that’s the culture of the business, and here, we get to collaborate [and build the character].”
Next up for Elliott is heading home for the arrival of his second child, and waiting for word on a couple of potential hiatus gigs.
He just wrapped a small role in the next Night at the Museum film,but he was on lockdown about the specifics. “I had worked with [director] Shawn Levy several years ago and he thought of me for the role,” he says. “All I’ll say is my character is an immense reason the story lines in the three films have taken place.”
Elliott is new to social media and enjoys the real-time interaction with the fans. “The Twitter followers are out of control and I love it.,” he says. “This is the first time I’ve been able to interact [with fans while working on a project]. I picked it up last season and Tweeted live and now it’s just exploded. Social media is the way of the business. I really enjoy it.”
He will live Tweet tonight’s episode with the rest of the cast, and intends to live Tweet the whole season. Cedar Cove premiered its second season Saturday, July 19th at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel.
Heather M
Related posts
Classics
George R. Olson, Tim Rozon, and Sarah Levy Talk the SurrealEstate S2 Finale
[Spoilers for the SurrealEstate Season 2 finale.] How’s everyone doing after the finale? As we close out the second season of SurrealEstate, some of our merry band of misfits are scattering to the winds–Zooey to law school, Phil to the Vatican, and Augie back to his think tank with Rochelle,…
Previewing SurrealEstate Season 2 Finale + Revisiting the Season with George R. Olson
[Warning; General spoilers ahead.] Strap in, SurrealEstate fam, because we’ve arrived at the Season 2 finale, and it’s a doozy. As we saw in the closing moments of last week’s episode, Susan is back. But because we have one more episode left, it’s not as simple as all that, as…
Tyler Hynes Talks Through His Eight-Film Hallmark Holiday Library
Things you realize when you have to re-record your shows on a new DVR – just how many Hallmark movies your people have done. Fan favorite – and one of ours – Tyler Hynes has done eight Christmas movies for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries since 2018. Alongside…
Spencer Creaghan Talks About Creating SurrealEstate’s Signature Sound
SurrealEstate is winding down its second season, with two episodes left, and just as in Season 1, Spencer Creaghan’s music continues to be a character unto itself. And every week, he shares tidbits with the fans via his s social media channels, something he started to help give them an…
Andrew Walker Talks Christmas Island and the Magical Hallmark Community
[Warning: Spoilers for Christmas Island.] Now that the Screen Actors Guild strike has been resolved, we’re able to resume regularly scheduled programming and interview our favorites and yours. Up first, earlier today, I spoke with Andrew Walker about Christmas Island, which premiered last weekend and encores tonight and through the…
George Olson and Danishka Esterhazy Talk SurrealEstate “I Put a Spell on You”
[Warning: Spoilers for the episode.] Tonight’s fun new SurrealEstate found Luke caught up in an especially bewitching woman, Kay, played by Tara Yelland, Susan trapped in her house, and Zooey learning the ropes. In the next part of my conversation with showrunner George R. Olson and producing director Danishka Esterhazy,…
Danishka Esterhazy Talks SurrealEstate: “The Butler Didn’t”
[Warning: General spoilers for the episode]. Tonight’s new SurrealEstate, “The Butler Didn’t,” follows the team as they investigate the years-earlier mysterious death of a woman whose ghost now reenacts her hanging by dropping over the banister from the second floor to terrify anyone on the landing or at the bottom…
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk the From Season 2 finale
[Warning: Spoilers for the season finale.] How’s everyone doing after that finale? While we wait and wonder and hope for a third season announcement, soon, here’s what Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders had to say about their parts of the finale, and where they hope they get to go next….
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk From Season 2 + A Season Finale Preview
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] It all comes down this, #FROMily. As Sunday’s episode wraps up Season 2, we begin with the aftermath of the terrifying onset of seemingly simultaneous attacks on Julie, Marielle, and Randall, which accelerate the “We gotta get out of this place” of it all. Sara comes…
Alison Sweeney Talks About What’s Next for Hannah and Mike After Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery
[Warning: Spoilers for Carrot Cake Murder.] Everybody OK after that Hannah Swensen Mystery twist? Thankfully, our favorite crime-solving couple is still on speaking term, even if they’re on a break (hopefully not that kind of break). Most importantly, we already know this isn’t the last film in the series. No…
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…