[Warning: General spoilers ahead.]
Shooter‘s Shantel VanSanten makes her Hallmark Channel debut Saturday night in Love Blossoms, starring opposite Victor Webster, who we last saw in 2016’s Summer Villa.
VanSanten plays Violet, a chemist who’s under the gun to replicate the sample of a fragrance her late father left behind. It’s the last of a trilogy of scents and time is of the essence to make it into stores for Valentine’s Day, but she can’t quite capture the combination of scents and the written formula is missing.
Emboldened by desperation and whimsy, she pitches a job to botanist Declan ‘Dec’ Granger (Webster), who has an uncanny sense of smell matched only by that of her dad. He’s also got a history that speaks to Violet’s struggle to balance her life and her yearning to come back to her one true home, something her office manager, Kimmy (Brittany Barstow), is also trying to help her see.
All this is happening in Bruges, Belgium while her life back in Boston beckons. Her businessman boyfriend, Stefan (Proof/Dead Like Me‘s Callum Blue) is along to help her settle affairs but he’s not wholly aligned to her intention to preserve her dad’s legacy vs. cashing out the business.
Things are further complicated by Olivia Caine (Bobbie Phillips, who I’m happy to see has several projects coming this year), a competing perfumery owner who isn’t above subterfuge to get control of the company. And Emma Samms has a small role as a new hire Stefan brings in when Dec’s friendship with Violet makes him nervous (as it should).
The movie was filmed at Christmas on location in Belgium and is gorgeous to look at. Check out Webster’s photography Instagram feed for behind the scenes pics of the shoot.
I’m glad VanSanten got to come play. Her role here is kindred to the completely capable but occasionally nerdy Patty, which she completely she killed at in The Flash‘s second season. If you only know her from her recent kickassery on the first season of Shooter, it’ll be especially fun to see her switch it up here. Y’all know how I feel about Webster, so it’s a given that I’m going to say, “GO WATCH THIS.”
Jonathan Wright directs his first non-Christmas movie for the network, helming a script by Hallmark newcomers Julie Kim and Karine Marwood. I like this continuing trend of using new screenwriters.
Love Blossoms premieres at 9/8c Saturday on Hallmark Channel and repeats throughout the month. Here’s a sneak peek.
18 Comments
Leave a Reply
Dennis Heaton Talks The Imperfects
Longtime readers at TV Goodness will know that Motive is one of my ride-or-die series, and as such, I am fiercely loyal to its creator, Dennis Heaton. He followed up that fantastic reverse procedural with Netflix’s The Order and is back on our streaming screens with The Imperfects, which dropped…
Kelly McCormack Talks Favorite Moments in A League of Their Own
[Warning: Mild spoilers for season 1.] Now that you’ve had a chance to watch A League of Their Own, here’s the rest of my chat with Kelly McCormack about her favorite moments of the season. Seeing the iconic Peaches uniforms for the first time wasn’t just a goosebump moment for…
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People [streaming on Global TV in Canada and Roku…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
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…
Loved the film. Really loved the wardrobe of the actresses. Any hints on where clothing was purchased?
Hi Paula! Thanks for reading. I’d suggest reaching out to Hallmark Channel on Twitter and seeing if anyone responds. I’ve recognized pieces from Old Navy on the Canadian-filmed movies, but I’m guessing they used local costumers in Belgium for this one. There’s no costume director listed on IMdB.
I’m wanting to know about her purse. Love it!
Beautiful story, where is this filmed?
Hi Elizabeth! It was filmed in Bruges, Belgium. Thanks for reading!
What is the name of the conservatory in Love Blossoms? It is magnificent! Loved the movie!
Hi Kathleen! Thanks for reading. It was filmed in Bruges, Belgium, so I’d say start your Google search for conservatories in and around Bruges.
My husband is from Bruges Belgium, been there so many times. My kids and I started screaming when we saw the opening scene. Great story! We watch them all but this one was extra special! From Aurora, Ohio
Love the movie plot and location!
visited Brussels and would love to go back to visit Bruges!
Thank you!
I’ve been trying everything I can think of to find out the brand and style of handbag Violet carries in this movie…any idea???
Please help us find this brand?
I really loved Violet’s Brown handbag too but I have no idea who made it!
I loved everything about this movie. The location was beautiful, Victor Webster is such a hunk, they need to use him more. I liked Shantel too. The movie was just all around perfect.
Well, I just loved this movie!The beautiful setting and unique story was great! All of the actors and actresses did a wonderful job in their roles. I was pleased to see actress Bobbi Phillips back on television! She is as stunning as ever! Even playing a devious role:-) The movie had all the Hallmark qualities that make it feel good. But,it seemed to step outside of the predictable cliches that I sometimes find. I really enjoyed the entire movie! I have it on my DVR and will watch again!
I agree with Linda K above! great to see Bobbie Phillips on television again! I would actually love to see the entire cast back for Love Blossoms part 2! This is now one of my favorite Hallmark movies!
I have searched and searched to find out the name of the conservatory – to no avail. Has anyone figured this out yet?
I also am interested in the name/brand of the purse she is wearig in this movie? Please let us know
I’d suggest Tweeting Hallmark Channel or contacting them on Insta. We’re not directly affiliated with them.