Chesapeake Shores
Chesapeake Shores is a Canadian/American drama television series, based on the novel series of the same name by Sherryl Woods, produced by Chesapeake Shores Productions Inc in association with Borderline Distribution. The series had a two-hour premiere on the Hallmark Channel on August 14, 2016. Jesse Metcalfe, Meghan Ory, Barbara Niven, Laci J. Mailey, Emilie Ullerup, Brendan Penny, Andrew Francis, Diane Ladd and Treat Williams star in the series. John Tinker is showrunner and executive producer.
Synopsis
Abby O'Brien Winters returns from New York to her hometown of Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, after receiving a panicked phone call from her youngest sister Jess, who is renovating the Inn at Eagle Point. Abby's demanding career, divorce, and young daughters have kept her too busy to even think about the town her father built. Saving her sister's inn from foreclosure means dealing not only with her fractured family but also with Trace Riley, her first love whom she abruptly left sixteen years ago. He initially is an obstacle but becomes an unexpected ally and a second chance at finding love. The troubled family dynamic is intensified when Abby's estranged mother comes back to town.Cast
Main
- Jesse Metcalfe as Trace Riley, a musician and Abby's first love who has returned to Chesapeake Shores from Nashville. After high school, Abby abruptly left Trace and Chesapeake Shores without warning, which they had to work through upon her return.
- Meghan Ory as Abby O'Brien-Winters: a high-powered New York City career woman, divorcée, mother to two young daughters, and the oldest of Mick and Megan's five children. After years away from her family, she takes a trip to her hometown of Chesapeake Shores and decides to stay.
- Barbara Niven as Megan: Mick's estranged wife. Her children hold a grudge over her leaving many years ago, but she claims Mick left her no choice. She couldn't be around him, but also didn't want to uproot the children from their home.
- Laci J. Mailey as Jess O'Brien: Abby's youngest sister who has bought a dilapidated old inn that she intends to transform into a bed and breakfast. On the brink of financial disaster, she must call on Abby to save her from early bankruptcy.
- Emilie Ullerup as Bree Elizabeth O'Brien: Abby's younger sister who is a struggling playwright living in Chicago. Her first play earned her glowing reviews, but she has yet to recreate its success. Her writer's block and her grandmother's illness cause her to return home.
- Brendan Penny as Kevin O'Brien, older son of Mick and Megan. Initially a medic in the U.S. Army, he explores other career opportunities in season two.
- Andrew Francis as Connor O'Brien, younger son of Mick and Megan who is initially a law student, and later an aspiring attorney.
- Diane Ladd as Nell O'Brien: matriarch of the O'Briens and Mick's mother. When Megan moved out and Mick was frequently on the road for work, Nell became the children's primary caregiver.
- Treat Williams as Mick O'Brien: patriarch of the O'Briens. His wife Megan left him many years ago, making him a single father working hard to provide for his family.
Recurring
- Abbie Magnuson as Caitlyn Winters, daughter of Abby and Wes
- Kayden Magnuson as Carrie Winters, daughter of Abby and Wes
- Serge Houde as Del Granger, Abby's new boss in Baltimore
- Britt Irvin as Danielle Clayman, Connor's law school classmate who becomes his love interest
- Jessica Sipos as Sarah Mercer-O’Brien, a local firefighter and Kevin's love interest, who later becomes his wife
- Karen Kruper as Dee Riley, Trace's mother
- Tom Butler as Lawrence Riley, Trace's father
- Carlo Marks as David Peck, Jess' boyfriend whom she later learns is from a very wealthy family
- Michael Karl Richards as Wes Winters, Abby's ex-husband
- Brittany Willacy as Leigh Corley, Trace's bandmate and songwriting partner
- Ali Liebert as Georgia Eyles, Kevin's ex-fiancé
- Kyle Cassie as Martin Demming, Bree's former longtime boyfriend
- Bradley Stryker as John Rawl, bassist for Trace's former band who later joins the Trace Riley Band
- Gregory Harrison as Thomas O'Brien, Mick's brother who is an environmental attorney
- Victor Webster as Douglas Peterson, a widower that Abby meets who later partners with Mick in a land development deal
- Jerry Trimble as Mark Hall, a Nashville music executive who takes an interest in the Trace Riley Band
- Oliver Rice as Simon Atwater, a novelist and Bree's love interest
- Kent Sheridan as Donovan Wylie, an established country music star with whom the Trace Riley Band is touring as an opening act
- Teryl Rothery as Robin O'Brien, Thomas' wife
- Malcolm Stewart as Dennis Peck, David's father
- Gillian Barber as Deidra Peck, David's mother
- Jordana Largy as Alexandra Peck, David's sister
- Lanie McAuley as Emma Rogers, a bartender at The Bridge and an aspiring singer
- Marci T. House as Hannah Urso, a respected playwright who offers to help Bree with details of her new play
- Greyston Holt as Jay Ross, a third grade teacher and Abby's potential new love interest
Episodes
Production
Chesapeake Shores is filmed on Vancouver Island's Qualicum Beach and its neighboring town of Parksville, British Columbia. The first season was filmed there from May through July 2016.In addition to playing the character Trace, Jesse Metcalfe performs some of the songs used in the series' episodes. A songwriter for more than a decade, Metcalfe also composed two of the songs himself.
Production for the second season started in spring 2017. It premiered on August 6, 2017. On January 13, 2018, Hallmark announced that the show was renewed for a 10-episode third season, which premiered on August 5, 2018.
At the Television Critics Association winter press tour in February 2019, it was announced that the series would return for a fourth summer season, consisting of only six episodes; a spinoff television film was simultaneously announced. The fourth season premiered on August 25, 2019.
On February 28, 2020, it was announced that the series would return for a fifth season with no date currently set.
Broadcast
The series premiered on the Hallmark Channel on August 14, 2016. It premiered on Canada's W Network on August 25, 2016.Reception
Critical reception
of The New York Times said Chesapeake Shores is "as well scrubbed and predictable as they come — in other words, perfectly suited to Hallmark's target audience." He added, "fans of , at least, will probably enjoy seeing this annoyingly pristine world brought to life."Gwen Ihnat of The A.V. Club gave the two-hour series premiere a B grade, praising the "ethereally gorgeous" Meghan Ory and the "acting powerhouses" of Treat Williams and Diane Ladd. She added that they "may make the show worth watching, and the giddy chemistry of the romantic leads certainly doesn't hurt."