Amanda Schull Jumps on Hallmark Channel's "Marry Go Round" Alongside Brennan Elliott

"I've noticed there have been changes in their storytelling," she continued. "The first movie I did for them was called Love, Once and Always, and it was quite lighthearted. The movie I did last year (One Summer) had more real-world tones and was a little more intense. When I'd talk to people about doing Hallmark movies, the responses were interesting. I used to take a ballet class and the women in the class were kind of my barometer for certain things. When I did 12 Monkeys and Suits, they'd watch it for my sake, but when said I was doing a Hallmark movie, everyone's eyes lit up. They all said, 'They make me feel so good!' It was really special to be part of something like that, and something people had an affinity to. Now I'm enjoying these new stories they are telling."

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It was the chance to portray a woman who believed she had it all together, then unravels, that intrigued Schull from the moment she read the script. "I definitely thought this was different," she explained. "Obviously I love all different sorts of characters, but something like this is rare. A revelation happens in the movie and has such dramatic consequences for her entire life path, and every single decision she's made from the age of 18 onward. That was really interesting for me to play with. One of the first things I said to the director was, 'How intense do we want to make this?' This revelation is intense, and I don't think [afterwards] it would be a lighthearted conversation.

"I don't know how many people have found themselves in the same situation of learning a secret that has major [life] implications," she added. "I don't want to spoil anything, but it's fairly relatable, and to play all of that was intriguing."

As a part of Abby's journey, we get to see Schull go from being a poised businessperson to the complete opposite. It's those moments that provide levity to what would otherwise be a very serious story, and something Schull said was well crafted. "When a character has a revelation or a big life change, I always think about it in terms of behavior," she shared. "Wardrobe and hair, all of these things help you take the audience on a visual journey. That was something I wanted to make sure we were aware of. There were references to [Abby] being buttoned up, that was a clue to me about how she starts. When she goes back to her hometown, she starts a little bit that way, but then she gets on her childhood bicycle. When I saw that bicycle I thought, 'Okay, we can kind of let it go'."

A tricky part of Abby's story, as it unfolds, was navigating a resulting love triangle that includes her ex-husband Luke. Schull admits that also took some creative choreography. "I talked to our director, David (Weaver), and to Zak (Santiago), who plays my fiancé Edward, and to Brennan about creating some awkward moments that kind of showed maybe what she thought was a perfect fit, wasn't. I wanted to keep that in mind as it was important all of these characters be likable throughout all they are dealing with."

While Schull hadn't worked with Elliott, she immediately discovered why he's become the King of Hallmark. "I could say he was horrible, but it would never be believable," she laughed of her co-star. "Before working with Brennan I mentioned him to a friend, who was like, 'Oh my gosh, I've heard nothing but good things about him.' I didn't realize that I had so many girlfriends who had! The girlfriend I was talking to then said, 'Every one of my friends has raved about him.' It all turned out to be true. It was a pleasure from start to finish, and what's really nice about him is yes, he may be the King of Hallmark, but he still understands the importance of collaboration and being there for his co-star. He also got to display a really lovely vulnerable side.

"That was so refreshing," she added. "Brennan was willing and brave enough to be soft. I did One Summer last year with Sam Page, where my character was actually a ghost, and Sam was grieving. I think that shows so much courage and strength as an actor, and for a man, to show rather than fight against those feelings."

Next for Schull is a true crime story which she admits is "a little dark." But she hopes to be back in the Hallmark fold as soon as possible. "I love working for them and when I get the phone call saying there's another script coming my way it makes my day," she beamed in closing. "I get very, very excited."

Marry Go Round will be telecast Saturday, September 10 at 8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel.

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