‘Chesapeake Shores’: Hallmark’s Breezy Family Drama Returns

Chesapeake Shores ©2017 Crown Media Holdings

Last summer, fans were charmed by Hallmark Channel’s Chesapeake Shores, an enchanting family drama about a large, complicated — yet loving — family living in an idyllic coastal town.

Fans have already been introduced to and fallen in love with the O’Brien clan, whose love of arguing and communal family meals is easily reminiscent of the Bravermans from NBC’s Parenthood or the Walkers from ABC’s Brothers & Sisters. When we last left the O’Brien family, recently divorced daughter Abby (Meghan Ory) had relocated herself and her children to her hometown in search of a simpler life and a stronger connection to her family. After starting on the long path to familial reconciliation, and renewing a long-ago romance, Abby also faced a fierce custody battle to keep her young family in Chesapeake Shores.

Executive producer Dan Paulson tells us that for the nine lead characters in the ensemble cast, Season 2 will allow room for each character to enjoy plenty of complications and growth. Former sweethearts Abby and Trace (Jesse Metcalfe) feel their romance rekindling, but obstacles keep getting in the way, reveals Paulson, adding, “Bree [Emilie Ullerup] has a boyfriend from last season, but that’s not gonna go too well. Jess [Laci J. Mailey] has her boyfriend who works at the B&B with her, and that relationship is moving forward.

“Connor [Andrew Francis] is going to work at a law firm — he just graduated law school. Kevin [Brendan Penny] is now back home from Afghanistan and he’s trying to get his life together and deciding whether to go to medical school or something else,” Paulson continues. “Then of course, Nell [Diane Ladd] comes back from Ireland. She’s always the great arbitrator, the wise woman in the family. And Mick [Treat Williams] — he’s got his own issues.”

The O’Briens have quickly become one of TV’s most popular families, and Paulson sees why firsthand on the series’ set. “What I see in this show is a family that you want to be a part of,” he says. “We just shot a dinner scene last night with the whole family and their girlfriends and boyfriends. You want to be at that table. Even with all the dysfunction, there’s love overriding everything else.”

Chesapeake Shores > Hallmark Channel > Sundays beginning Aug. 6 at 9/8c

1 Comment

  1. My husband and I absolutely love this show and feel like they are part of our family…or we are part of their family!

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