Alison Sweeney Talks “Peach Cobbler” & Her Message For Fans

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss
Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss
Credit: © 2015 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss

Alison Sweeney returns as Hannah Swenson in another juicy mystery for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. “Peach Cobbler is our third installment of the Murder She Baked series,” says Sweeney. “I love producing it, and I love starring in this really wonderful series where people feel good, and they get the chance to have fun and watch Hannah solve these mysteries. It’s fun and female empowering.”

Sweeney sets up the tasty tale. “This time, something happens too close for comfort for Hannah and she’s gonna have to deal with the fact that all of a sudden, she better be clever and curious and solve this because she’s the one in the hot seat as the suspect. That really turns the tables and made really high-stakes for Hannah to figure out who did it, because she was the one they were looking at.”

From the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Press site:
Sitting in her nearly empty store, Hannah Swensen can only hope that the popularity of the new Magnolia Blossom Bakery is just a passing fad. The southern hospitality of Eden Lake’s two newest residents, Melanie and Vanessa Quinn, is grating on Hannah’s nerves — and cutting into her profits. Then Hannah finds Melanie shot to death. Everyone in town knew the Cookie Jar’s business was suffering…which makes Hannah a suspect.

Oh snap, Hannah! How are you gonna whisk your way out of this one?!?

Hallmark just announced the start of production on the 4th film in the Murder She Baked series. “Yay!” squeals Sweeney. “The 4th one will come out in June, though I can’t give you an exact day. We’re starting to shoot in March and it’s Fudge Cupcake!” (Every time there is a new MSB, I ask Sweeney or costar Cameron Mathison if they’ve tried the recipes.) Sweeny laughs. I have not, but I can’t wait. It’s going to be a really fun one; it’s a fun novel.”

Sweeney and I had chatted while she was working on Love on the Air, and a lot of fans felt the same thing that I did: it was a particularly excellent film. After the movie aired, lots fans commented that this was one of Hallmark’s best films in years, so of course I had to ask the film’s producer and star if she had more in the works.

“Oh thank you! What a nice thing for people to say,” Sweeney humbly gushed. “Thank you, fans!! What an amazing compliment to me; it means so much to me.

“It was a passion project for me; three years in the making to get to shoot it, and to see it air and get feedback like that is so inspiring to me.” she continued, “It’s what I want to do, I think that’s my wheelhouse. I get it — I get what I want to watch and what women I know like to watch. I think, with my 22 years in soap operas, I think I know what my audience wants to watch, and if I can keep producing movies like that, it would be a dream come true.” Soap actors have such closeness with their fans, that it’s no surprise that Sweeney has her finger on the pulse of rom-com fans.

So, I’m dying to know the same thing I bet you’re wondering: can we expect more movies like Love on the Air in the future? Sweeny excitedly shared, “Absolutely! I have a new project in development with Hallmark for the next production cycle and I hope that it charms viewers as much as the last one did.”

“When you’re on a soap as long as I was, you get on-board for the interaction with the audience. I really embrace that. And when I talk to the fans, I hear you and how do I make that happened. This is the forum in which I can continue to make this happen for the fans. That was the reaction that I get, “Yes! We want to see more of,” and believe me, it’s so fulfilling, but also fun. Love on the Air was a movie that my husband watched (Sweeny’s adorable husband, who was standing nearby nodded vehemently, saying “I liked it!”) And he was like, “Yeah!” He got the guy’s perspective, because the male lead had his own POV, and it was legit. It wasn’t men being written like women — he was a Man’s Man — and he had a point of view, and [husband] Dave was like, “Yeah!!” and I’m like, “shut up!” and that’s when I knew it was working. That’s when you know that you’ve got something. And I was laughing in my room reading the script, think, “This is funny!”

Murder She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery > Hallmark Movies & Mysteries > Sunday, Jan. 19 at 9pm ET/8pm CT

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss

8 Comments

  1. I LOVE Alison Sweeney no matter what she is in. The Murder She Baked series are wonderful. And yep – I want Hannah and Mike together – but I guess that will be a “mystery” also. I’m looking for the wool and pattern for the blue and white scarf Alison wore in the movie. Should be easy to make!!

    Keep doing your thing Alison!!!

  2. Alison is perfect as Hannah!! Dont listen to NegativeNellies!! Blonde and blue eyes precious!! Love the mysteries want to see more!!!please!!!

  3. Love Allison as Hannah!# She is so precious with those blue eyes!! Perfect in the part!! Dont listen to the negative nelly! Think jealousy!!

  4. These are awesome movies. Keep making them, love the connection between you and Mike. Hopefully will have several movies.

  5. I recorded the peach cobbler mystery and just now watched it. I love this series! Many twists and turns in the plot, love each character. Thank you for making such a wonderful show that is not full of disgust and vulgarity. I will definitely watch the next one to come.

  6. I love the mystery.
    I feel you (Hannah and Mike)
    Should click faster.
    I want a new series every Saturday .
    Thanks Janet
    Big fan

  7. Hannah is supposed to be a redhead with curly red hair and with a weight problem. I do not see Alison Sweeney as Hannah.

  8. Allison Sweeney is so annoying in this Peach Cobbler mystery.I guess she is doing her job.

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