Love In The Afternoon With Hallmark’s ‘A Little Daytime Drama’
Ready for some soapy romance with Hallmark’s A Little Daytime Drama? This movie reunites Harvest Love co-stars, Jen Lilley (Days Of Our Lives, USS Christmas), and Ryan Paevey (General Hospital, Unleashing Mr. Darcy).
In addition, soap superstar, Linda Dano (Another World, Chronicle Mysteries) also stars in A Little Daytime Drama. Rounding out the cast is Serge Houde (The Baker’s Son, V.C. Andrews’s Ruby), Brittany Mitchell (Altered Carbon, Salvation), Latonya Williams (Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding, A Glenbrooke Christmas), and Jake Foy (Eat, Drink And Be Married, Designated Survivor).
Here is what we know about this Summer Nights movie.
What Is Hallmark’s A Little Daytime Drama About?
Ready for A Little Daytime Drama? What is this new Ryan Paevey-Jen Lilley about? According to the Hallmark press release, Maggie (Lilley) is the head writer on a daytime soap drama whose declining ratings leave it in danger of being canceled.
Alice (Dano), the creator and producer of the show, wants to retire and hopes to pass the baton to Maggie. Wanting to boost ratings and save the show, Alice plans to bring back fan-favorite actor Darin (Paevey)…who also happens to be Maggie’s ex-boyfriend.
However, when Darin exited the show to star in an ill-fated play, their relationship ended on a sour note. Therefore, Maggie wrote out his character. Now, she must convince Darin to return. Will they be able to set aside their old, hurt feelings and work together to save the show?
Moreover, could this also save their careers, in the process?
A Very Soapy Love In The Afternoon
Originally, A Little Daytime Drama was entitled Love In The Afternoon. However, Hallmark changed that. The phrase “Love In The Afternoon” was originally used as ABC’s campaign slogan between 1975-1985, for shows like All My Children, One Life To Live, and General Hospital.
Since both Ryan Paevey and Jen Lilley had been in General Hospital, Ryan between 2013-2018, and Jen between 2011-2012, this original title may have been a sort of inside joke. What is also a bit of fun for non-GH viewers is that Ryan portrayed Nathan West, a beloved character. Jen played Maxie Jones.
Although Nathan and Maxie become one of the most adored couples in the show’s history, Jen and Ryan did not act together. Jen had temporarily replaced Kirsten Storms, and not long after Kirsten returned, Ryan Paevey joined the cast.
Veteran soap star Linda Dano was also in General Hospital. However, it was in 2002, so she didn’t co-star with either Jen or Ryan. According to IMDb, she portrayed Rae Cummings in GH, as well as the other ABC soaps, including One Life To Live (as Gretel Rae Cummings in 1980, 2000), Port Charles (2000), and All My Children (2000). Just part of the soapy world of daytime drama!
When Can You Watch Hallmark’s A Little Daytime Drama?
Hallmark’s A Little Daytime Drama is a Summer Nights movie. The premiere is on Saturday, August 21, at 9 p.m. Eastern. Encore showings include Sunday, August 22, at 6 p.m., Thursday, August 28, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, August 29, at noon, all times Eastern.
Don’t forget to hop on to Twitter on premiere night. Join the folks from Hallmark, including the cast of A Little Daytime Drama, and other viewers as they tweet along with the movie.
