Autumn Reeser on Her Role in Hallmark’s “Season for Love”

“But I do adore him, she added.  “He's just a really good person and we became genuine friends.  We have kids the same age and it’s a really nice thing to be able to say, ‘He's someone I'm happy to have in my life.’  It's nice to come off a film and feel like you've made a real friend.”

In the film, Reeser (pictured at top and below with Blucas) plays Tyler Dawson, a recently divorced (and recently unemployed) San Francisco-based sous chef.  Along with her daughter Rosie (Lola Flanery), she returns home to Red Rock, Texas, to re-evaluate her life and spend time with her mom.  Unbeknownst to her, successful celebrity chef and Tyler’s former boyfriend Corey Turner (Blucas) is also in town to host the annual BBQ festival.  As college sweethearts, the two believed they would be “together forever” but the passage of time, and their careers, took them in different directions.  Faced with the possibility of rekindling old flames, or continuing the successful career paths they’ve forged, the two have some serious life choices to make.

“I love the theme of this movie because its something a lot of people struggle with today,” Reeser told me.  “The idea of success versus satisfaction.  We've been taught that success is [everything], but [often] it feels empty when you get there.  I've noticed a lot of people encountering this right now.  So I loved the idea of being brave enough to change your life and go after what feels good, as opposed to what seems like the right and logical thing to do.

“These two characters have spent their lives chasing big-city dreams when in fact it might not be what they really want,” she continued.  “I think it’s something a lot of people will relate to.  I think about buying a ranch all the time, and I do have a dream of opening a parent-friendly coffee shop -- I actually mentioned it to someone and they told me I'd end up like a real-life Hallmark movie if I did that.”

According to Reeser, that wasn’t the only thing that rang true when it came to her character.  “I liked the fact that she was a single mom, as am I, so I really related to the whole thing about doing what's right for your kids,” she explained.  “Your kids rely on you.  That's something I do relate to in my own life.  If you bring someone into your life you are essentially bringing them into your kids’ lives and that is a lot of pressure.”

Reeser was thrilled her two young sons could accompany her on location, even if they did get a distorted view of mom’s work life.  “[The boys] do keep me active,” she laughed.  “Seeing the world through your child's eyes is probably the best feeling you could ever have and I love traveling with them.  They’re actually on the Ferris wheel in a carnival scene, which was the best for them.  They were like, ‘Mom has the coolest job ever!  She goes to work on a Ferris wheel with cotton candy.’  I had to explain this wasn't an everyday thing; Mom does not work at the fair.”

Another takeaway for the ever-youthful actress was having a daughter for the duration of the film, as her real life with two young boys can be hectic.  “I have to say it was lovely having a 13-year-old daughter,” she said.  “We had great conversations, so that made it really nice.  I have a three-year-old niece and I feel the same way hanging out with her -- it just seems lovely and reasonable. We actually just sit and watch a movie in a normal position, unlike my boys who are upside down on the couch or rolling across the floor.

“I was like, ‘Oh my goodness’, is this what it's like having a daughter?” she continued.  “I adore my boys, but I'm constantly asking, ‘Why aren’t you tired yet?’  Having two boys [is] full-blown chaos most of the time.  I think I have them pretty well in hand, but when I'm around someone with a daughter, I realize I kind of live in a zoo.”

In addition to raising her family, the busy actress has numerous irons in the fire. She's directing a concert reading in New York next month and has another project in development for Hallmark that she will produce (a first) and star in.  “I just love working for Hallmark,” she said.  “These films make people happy and I love the interaction I get to have with fans online.  I just like to make people happy and that's exactly what these movies do.  People message me and tweet me all the time asking when I'm doing another Hallmark movie, so it's nice when I'm able to say, ‘this summer!’”

Season for Lovewill be telecast August 25 at 9 p.m. on Hallmark Channel.

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