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See Katherine McNamara in First Look at CW’s Harlequin Romance Movie ‘Montana Mavericks’ (VIDEO)
The CW is ready to bring the heat in 2025. The network is leaning into all things love with its upcoming slate of six original romance movies based on beloved and bestselling Harlequin novels, all of which will premiere this fall.
Swooon has a special treat for the romance fans out there. We’re exclusively debuting the key art and trailer for Montana Mavericks, the movie starring Katherine McNamara from Walker: Independence and Arrow.
The film follows Heather (McNamara), a New York City girl and a best-selling author on a mission to conquer writer’s block and avoid paying back an advance on her next book. Her plans take a sudden swerve when she inherits a family ranch in Montana. With her two best friends, Heather heads out for a Yellowstone adventure, intent on a quick sale, but is blindsided by both the ranch’s dilapidated condition and by Cliff (Dennis Andres), the charming cowboy veterinarian next door, who challenges her big-city ideals. Heather and her friends (Linda Kee and Kaya Coleman) find more than they bargained for in this big sky adventure.
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But there’s more! Montana Mavericks will hit the big screen in select theaters nationwide on August 26 and 27 in an exclusive partnership with Fathom Entertainment.
“The CW has been building a passionate weekend audience of movie lovers, and this new slate of original films is for romance fans everywhere,” said Heather Olander, Head of Scripted and Unscripted content. “These feel-good stories, inspired by hugely successful blockbuster Harlequin novels, are the perfect blend of nostalgia and escapism, and thanks to our exciting partnership with Fathom Entertainment, we’re thrilled to bring these films to the big screen first—giving fans the chance to laugh, swoon, and fall in love, together in theaters this summer.”
Below, get more details about The CW Network’s upcoming primetime romance movies, which feature fan-favorite stars from The Flash, Days of Our Lives, Shadowhunters, and more.
Ordinary Girl in a Tiara: When vintage fashion devotee Caro Cartwright (Katharine King So) agrees to harbor her childhood nemesis turned couture heiress, Philippa Levreaux (Kathryn Gallagher), fireworks explode. Despite—or perhaps because of—their differences, these two women help each other wrangle the challenges around them to find a way forward, be their best selves, and fulfill their dreams. This tale of style and moxie proves that opposites not only attract but can enrich the lives of anyone willing to take a chance on themselves and on true love.
Paws in the City: Issa (Emeraude Toubia) is a social media whiz on the rise. But when a mishap on her watch accidentally ruins a young starlet’s career, making Issa the most unemployable social media manager in Manhattan, she has no choice but to take the first job she can find—caring for Camila, a glossy-maned and capricious dachshund diva. While ferrying Camila from playdates to pet psychics, Issa realizes the dog’s bark is worse than her bite—much like Camila’s attractive, yet reclusive owner, Theo (Carter Jenkins). What starts as a way to keep a roof over her and her 14-year-old sister’s heads turns into an opportunity for Issa to showcase her skills and reunite her family; it also might be the key to her success in life and love.
Recipe For Romance: Would-be enemies turn to heartwarming lovers in this story of two warring businesses in Little Manila. Sari (True O’Brien) is given the long overdue opportunity to prove herself when her parents head on vacation, placing the family’s coffee shop in her hands. Sari’s big plans are derailed when a bakery run by the annoyingly handsome and charming Gabe (Alex Mallari Jr.) opens right next door. This launches a prank war to end all prank wars, bringing Sari and Gabe together in a story of love, family, community, and irresistibly delicious pastries. In the week leading up to the big Little Manila Festival, the two competitors will clash, kiss, and make-up as they navigate their desire for each other and for success.
Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell: Savvy Sheldon (Amber Riley) is juggling a lot—a high-stress/low-thanks job, a situationship that has run its course, and the love-worn kitchen she inherited from her cherished grandma, who left Savvy her love of cooking and a treasure trove of recipes. Supported by her ride or die mom and best friend, Savvy decides to take control of her destiny and sets out on some renovations, from her career to her kitchen. Isaiah (Dorian Grey), the dashing contractor, falls for more than Savvy’s delectable cuisine and may just be the secret ingredient to heating up Savvy’s love life, even as she finds her true calling. Nadine Whiteman and Malaika Hennie-Hamadi also star.
Second Guessing Fate: Gemma (Danielle Panabaker) is a successful event planner with a full life. She has pretty much given up on dating until a fortune teller mysteriously shows up at one of her perfectly planned parties and predicts that Gemma is one last horrible date away from true love. When Gemma goes on what she hopes is her last blind date with Nick (Corey Sevier), anything and everything goes wrong, including crashing her car into a handsome wealthy stranger, Enzo (Brendan Morgan). When the fortune teller’s predictions start to materialize, once cynical Gemma is ready to take a leap of faith. But is Gemma misreading the signs? Only fate knows what’s in store for her. Jocelyn Chugg and Ari Rombough also star.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Centinel Media, The CW Network and Fathom Entertainment to bring Harlequin’s great love stories to life on the big and small screens,” said Brent Lewis, EVP and Publisher, Harlequin. “This is an exciting opportunity to tell the incredible stories of our authors in a new medium to millions of Harlequin fans and new audiences alike.”
“Fathom Entertainment prides itself on building innovative partnerships to bring quality content to theaters and experience the magic of the big screen. Montana Mavericks brings legions of fans from the highly successful Harlequin franchise, and Fathom looks forward to working in collaboration for the first time with Nexstar and its team at The CW for this highly anticipated project,” commented Ray Nutt, Chief Executive Officer at Fathom Entertainment.
