You’ve heard of the Hatfields and the McCoys; now it’s time to pick sides in another bitter family feud. It’s pure fiction, but just as juicy—perhaps even more so because it all ends with…fried chicken. Yes, in the new Hallmark+ series chicken sistersA television show based on KJ Dell’Antonia’s best-selling novel of the same name, two slingshot matriarchs (and longtime rivals) compete for a chance to win a $100,000 prize on a reality show ultimate kitchen clash.
A food-centric feud between chicken restaurants Mimi’s and Frannie’s could erupt when the reality show arrives in the small town of Merinac, Kansas. On one side, Gus (Wendy Malek) enlists the help of her TV host daughter Mae (Genevieve Angelson), who unexpectedly returns home just as the competition crew is in town. Then, on the other side, the less spicy duo of Nancy (Leigh Thompson) and her daughter-in-law Amanda (Skyler Fisk) are trying to hold on with grace, courtesy and a little finesse Frannie’s survival.
But Amanda happens to be Gus’ other daughter, who grew up in May’s shadow and felt like she never really had her mother’s approval. So, yes, things can get complicated quickly! Just ahead of the show’s premiere, Horror Mom sat down with #TeamFrannie’s Thompson and Fisk (who is Sissy Spacek’s daughter in real life), who shared some insights into their characters’ families, casting cues, and more.
Horrible Mom: I found Nancy and Amanda’s dynamic really sweet because I loved the idea of finding a family. How does it feel to build your connection?
Skylar Fisk: I love her so much. I’m so grateful to be doing this with her because I feel so supported. I know I learned a lot from her. It’s really fun to explore these characters because I think at their core, they have a lot in common in terms of what their lives are and what they have to deal with. So, they connected in a very special way, and I really felt that in real life with Leah.
I remember the first time I met her, we were going to the table to read. I was nervous meeting everyone and reading the meter made me nervous. But Leah was a really lovely, warm friend to me from the beginning.
Leigh Thompson: Oh, that’s great. Yes, I really appreciate it when I don’t have to perform. Skyler makes it easy for me to not have to act like I love her because she’s a wonderful person and an amazing, accomplished artist and actress. I look up to her because I love her music and I love her performance.
It’s a scary tightrope when you’re performing. When you meet someone for the first time, you really look them in the eyes and hope you like what you see. I don’t know how to explain it, but that’s it for me. The fun we had making this movie, the joy and love and friendship we had, I think you can feel it when you watch it.
SM: I find generation-old family feuds inherently interesting and oddly wholesome. Is there some friendly prank going on behind the scenes?
SF: I don’t remember any shenanigans on set, but we were all fools. It was indeed a light-hearted scene. Is there a prank?
LT: I think all the shenanigans were me not remembering my lines! I was supposed to say “ding-dong-dong,” but I couldn’t. So, we four actresses, stars, we had a group chat called “Ding Dong,” because I can’t remember. But during those long days when you get into a little trouble, we all have each other’s backs.
SM: Your character uses a lot of Southern expressions. Is there anything that surprised you or stuck with you?
LT: I think one of the actors’ favorite lines is, “Don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining.” I’d never heard of that. I grew up in a small town in Minnesota, and even though it’s not the South, people still use these things. My grandma and dad used a lot of these. “Girls” and that kind of stuff are part of the way people talk, and I just love that.
That’s one of the reasons I really love this character and this show. I think Southerners in general are somewhat more passionate about languages. You know what I mean? The way you speak and the laziness of your vowels – it’s so much more endearing than the rest of America that doesn’t like English.
SF: I’d love to know–because Leah does say a lot of Southern proverbs–some of them are real Southern proverbs, and some of them they make up. But who would know? They all sound real to me! I think this is a good little question “Is this real or made up?”
LT: I made up a few. (laugh)
SF: Really? I love this line: “You can’t put boots in the oven and call them cookies” or something like that. That’s a good thing.
SM: Now I have to watch and try to figure out which ones Lea is making up and which ones are real. Skyler, Leah mentioned your music. Any chance we get to hear your killer voice on this show?
SF: We’ll see.
LT: I think day one, I was like, ‘We need Skyler’s music. She is a great songwriter and singer.
SF: You guys are making my cheeks hurt. Genevieve and I have been talking about recording something together…which is very exciting. We’ll see.
SM: The driving force for this series is obviously the town of Merinac, which has a very unique sense of place, whereas similar places in real life are often called “iconic towns.” Have any of you ever fallen in love with a place that felt like this?
SF: Oh yeah, there are a lot of places where I always comment, ‘This looks like I’m in a Hallmark movie. It’s like the cutest little town. A few come to mind, but where we shot in Vancouver — this little town we called Merinac — it definitely had that vibe.
LT: I was in Ocean Beach on Long Island and it was very similar. The town where I grew up, Rochester, Minnesota, was a lot like this.
That’s what I really love about this show, because I feel like after COVID and all the divisions, we’re all hungry for community. This show is about community. It’s about the differences between found family and real family, but finding a way to come together because we all truly share one thing – we want to live a great life. We want our children to grow up healthy and well, and we want love. That’s what I feel like the show is trying to say and show.
of the first episode chicken sisters Now streaming on Hallmark+, with new episodes airing every Thursday starting September 12, 2024.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
