“This is my first thing for Hallmark and oh my God, I was a wreck!” Dano laughed during an exclusive interview with MediaVillage. “I know that seems strange after all the years working in daytime, but I hadn't acted in so long. What if I got there and it all slipped away? A couple of friends said, 'It's like riding a bike, don't be ridiculous, you will be fine.' But part of it being fine was the fact they are the nicest company to work with and get to know. Alison Sweeney was a big part of that, too. She creates that kind of atmosphere wherever she is. It was such a pleasure and I just had a great time.”
Despite both being major soap opera stars Dano and Sweeney hadn’t previously worked together, but they do have a history. “I knew Ali, all of us daytimers know one another from awards shows and things,” Dano said. “When you have been in the business as long as Ali and I, you do cross paths and we have mutual friends. In fact, this all came about as I was on the phone with her at the beginning of last year and was telling her how much I loved her Hallmark movies and the network. She called in November last year and invited me to take part. It was an instant, ‘Yes!’ I just thought, ‘How fun!’”
As it turns out, Dano’s intuition was on point. “I know Ali is very proud of The Chronicle Mysteries, as she should be,” she shared. “She's also a very nice producer. I do come with certain credentials, so I know when someone is good at something. It's something she was born to do and I am so happy for her as it couldn't have happened to a sweeter person. She just made our jobs so easy. (Co-star) Benjamin Ayres was also lovely. We bonded in the car on the way to the set. I had seen him in many Hallmark projects.” (Sweeney, Ayres and Dano are pictured below, left to right.)