In SnowComing, Donovan stars as famous NFL quarterback Jake Gillette, who, following a Super Bowl loss, returns to his hometown to celebrate the retirement of his former high school football coach, Coach Kerrigan (Ed Marinaro). While there, Jake also encounters former flame Samantha (Booth, pictured at top and below with Donovan), the woman he left behind for career, and whose father just happens to be Coach Kerrigan. “Sam finds Jake in her family’s living room,” explained Donovan. “They haven’t spoken in years and she's not thrilled because he left. I mean, Jake had to follow his dreams. Understandably, there’s some resistance on her behalf as far as letting Jake back into her life.
“But seeing her again and being at home again reminds Jake of everything that was important in his life,” he continued. “While romance ensues, there may or may not be love at the end. I'm really not promising anything, but there's a possibility of a happy ending -- unless Hallmark decides to take the movie in a completely different direction. Still, I'm pretty sure it will go the happy route.”
When it came to playing a famed footballer, Donovan was ready. He played in high school and while the film didn’t require him to actually play, he could handle the ball for a few scenes. He also identified with Jake on a personal level. “I like that while this guy is kind of famous, he comes back and he's still that small-town mountain kid at heart,” he said. “That's relatable because it's how I grew up also. I liked the fact he was still a very grounded and warmhearted individual. Growing up in Mammoth Mountain, CA, it was a small town. I'm still in contact with a lot of people I graduated high school and college with. I visit at least four or five times a year as there’s something therapeutic about being in the mountains, chopping wood, skiing -- and all that fresh air is beautiful.”
However, there was one scene that made Donovan realize he was thankful for movie magic. “Ah, the baking scene,” he laughed. “It insinuates I baked a cake, but to be completely honest with everyone, I showed up to set that day and there was the cake. I did ice it, but I've never even baked cookies! I'd pop those cookie things open for my mom, then leave the kitchen. Once there was a bowl to be licked, I'd be on hand. I know they say you shouldn't do that now, but I did for my entire childhood and I turned out fine. If you start young enough you can build up resistance.”