Exclusive Interview
How Hallmark Star Andrew Walker Helped Root ‘Kentucky Roses’ in Reality
What To Know
- The Hallmark film was shot on location in Louisville.
- Andrew Walker had an in with the CEO of Churchill Downs.
- Walker spoke with Swooon about the movie’s authenticity.
If Hallmark Channel’s Kentucky Roses feels a bit more authentic than your usual location-based love story, that’s because some of the footage featured in this weekend’s original romance was actually filmed during last year’s Kentucky Derby.
“We shot mostly b-roll and ads for the movie that Hallmark posted,” reveals Andrew Walker, who managed to pull a few strings with a friend related to the CEO of Louisville’s Churchill Downs to capture some scenery while attending the event last year. Adding that production also coordinated with NBC, which airs the race, so as not to step on any toes, Walker explains that the original intent of the trip to Kentucky was more about real content rather than reel content.
“Mostly we went down there because the writer of the movie, Jamie Pachino, interviewed a lot of people who live down there and work for the Derby [in some capacity], to get sort of a history lesson on the race,” he continues. “So everything mentioned in the movie is real.”
In the new movie, Walker stars as Ash Taylor, a contractor overseeing repairs to Churchill Downs’ iconic steeple whose heart starts racing as fast as the thoroughbreds after meeting Odette Annable‘s florist Sadie Moore during the weeks leading up to the Derby. Filmed on location in Kentucky last October, the actors were able to take on the Louisville culture, but they also got access to a few hot spots off the beaten path.
Hallmark Media
“We saw everything,” Walker marveled during our shoot for Swooon’s digital cover story. “There are three speakeasies there and some really interesting ways on how to get into [them] where you have to press a button on a picture frame and then a door that you wouldn’t even know is there, opens up for you. And then you walk in, and it’s this gorgeous space, all leather and mahogany, with all the history [back to 1875] of Churchill Downs.”
In addition to the famed locale, he and Annable shot several scenes on a Kentucky farm that doubled as Ash’s family ranch, including a pivotal exchange that sees them saddling up.
“[It was] a total dream,” gushes the Walker alum, who lives in Texas with husband Dave Annable. “I grew up around horses my entire life. We had six horses growing up. Of course, I don’t ride as often as I’d like to, but I’ve worked luckily on a few shows where I’ve been able to be on a horse, and I love them so much. And we’re so immersed in horse culture living in Austin, [so] I was just so grateful to get back on those horses. They’re so beautiful and majestic.”
“And this guy,” she laughs, pointing to Walker. “This guy did all right.”
“I’ve done a few back-to-back westerns, and I really got used to being on a horseback when I was in the Yukon shooting a movie,” Walker explains. “And then I shot two back-to-back westerns in Tombstone, Arizona…at lunch I would go and ride with the horse wrangler, and I got very comfortable on horseback.”
This weekend, however, Walker — who just launched his new Derby-inspired line on DressingFestive.com — will be riding high in style when he and his wife, Cassandra, head back to Louisville along with Annable to promote Kentucky Roses before the big day. “We’ll be doing press all Friday, and then there’s so many parties to hit,” he says. “And I am going to rewear the suit I wore for Swooon!”
Kentucky Roses, Movie Premiere, Saturday, May 2, 8/7c, Hallmark Channel
