TV comfort food Hallmark has launched a new series centered around real-life comfort food fried chicken that you’re going to want to get to know. chicken sisters Directed by KJ Dell’Antonia, Hallmark’s new drama of the same name has all the ingredients to become your favorite cozy fall show: family drama, small-town charm, Midwestern wholesomeness (and maybe nosy?), and a star. — a stacked cast that brings complex, colorful, and irresistible characters to life.
The eight-episode first season will follow the generational rivalry between Mimi’s and Frannie’s, a fried chicken restaurant in the fictional town of Merlinac, Kansas. Each restaurant has a matriarch at the helm, with Gus (Wendy Malek) overseeing the more modest Mimi’s, while Nancy (Lea Thompson) works with her son Frank Jr. (James Co. Special) runs Franny’s Restaurant with her daughter-in-law Amanda (Skylar Fisk).
To make things more complicated? Amanda is actually Gus’ daughter, and once she’s on a reality show that could lead to a chance to win $100,000 at one of the restaurants, her sister Mae (Genevieve Angelson) returns Go to town and help their mom.
To get a deeper understanding of what makes this show so special, Scary Mommy joined Malick and Angelson of #TeamMimi for a live Zoom call. Here’s what they had to say about working with an (almost) all-female cast, their best advice for nipping feuds in the bud, and why fans should be wary of musical cameos.
Scary Mom: This show is so Sweet and special. What really attracted you to the roles of May and Gus?
Genevieve Angelson: Everybody is involved. When you see people doing shows coming from shrink, girl 5eva, ster creekand Youngeryou won’t say “no”. You say, “Yeah, I want to be part of…that’s the cool kids club, and I want to be in it.”
WENDI MALEK: What was important to me was the women who were involved – because the majority of people in front of the camera and behind the scenes were women – and the opportunity to play a character that I had never been exposed to before. It’s just a chance to stretch out and be in a room with people I really like.
SM: Wendy, you also appeared in Popular in Clevelandanother show with four female leads. What do you like most about this dynamic?
WM: There’s just a different vibe. I love men, but telling the story from a woman’s perspective is unique. It’s very rare to see a scene that actually features women. Even the men who came to hang out with us—and we had some good men in our crew—had a very highly developed feminine side. I mean, in the best way; they really support us.
It’s like a social event. Even though we all took our jobs very seriously and tried our best to attend prom, it was still incredibly celebratory and joyful. I think it’s because we realize that it’s a rare thing to have a female-led show, and one that’s so rich and juicy that we invite men to visit, but they can’t stay.
Genevieve Angerson: Yeah, I have to say, this is not the kind of show where you disappear into a trailer on your lunch break. We eat together; we hang out on the weekends. This is indeed a club of most sincere admiration.
SM: Genevieve, it goes without saying that Wendy and Leigh Thompson are legends. What do you think you learned from working so closely with them?
GA: To be honest, I really appreciate it. Beyond their work and craft as artists, they have full lives. They love their significant other wholeheartedly; it seems that this decades-long relationship is still the boy they have a crush on. They have families and charity work. I mean, it’s just–
WM: Animals. I have animals.
GA: Animals. They all have pastures. (laugh) It’s just that their lives are so cool. I think it’s really important when you see someone actually doing it, and it’s not the thought you want in your head. It’s incredibly comforting to know that this is indeed the case.
WM: I have to say, these young guys really brought it and were very professional, well prepared and a lot of fun to be around. Like before you go and join the cast, knowing you’re going to be out of town for three months, you never know what it’s going to be like…seeing them is just familiar. We quickly became a family.
In fact, Skyler’s mom, Sissy Spacek, who rented a house on the water, was there to help her with her kids. We were there every Sunday. We would all show up and make a salad or bring something over. It became this family in the best way possible.
SM: Is this a good psychological cleanser for your character? The Handmaid’s Tale?
GA: Find yourself a girl who can do both. You know what I mean? (laugh) Yes. I mean, on one hand, it’s 100% a mental palate cleanser. Living in that world is challenging. Although I think this set did a really good job of finding levity when they said “cut.”
But, listen, I’m coming from New York to do this show, and being away from your loved ones in Vancouver for a few months can go a lot of different ways. It’s been so much fun and really, yeah, cool to be working on this special material with these artists who are so talented and so smart and so kind.
SM: As we are reminded chicken sistersthe family is complicated and quarrels occur from time to time. Wendy, do you have any suggestions for burying the hatchet?
WM: I have a friend who really taught me a lot because she was my cautionary tale. Being right is more important to her than being happy. I think you have to say at some point, ‘You know what? This is where the person is in their journey. I won’t change them. So, am I willing in my heart to forgive them and accept them?
For many people, this is a big leap, but once you do it, you’ll realize that you’re free – you don’t have to hold on to past resentments and accusations. Over the course of the series, we really see how people begin to heal and love will eventually conquer all of these insecurities and shame and what’s going on.
I think the most beautiful thing they’ve done in this series is give us a deeper look into some of the hurts and weaknesses of these characters and see why they’re hurt. Then, through humor, join them on a journey that will lead them to light and forgiveness.
SM: I will internalize this advice! Well, people obviously love nostalgic shows like this. we have a chance to get one shoot me Restart?
WM: We’ve actually discussed this because we’re still friends, and I don’t know if it would make sense to revisit this without George. [Segal] – In a way, that’s going to be a huge hole because he’s our fearless leader. But I admire–
GA: You mean, ‘Yes. Yes.’
WM: Who knows? I think sometimes people try to find lightning in a bottle a second time, but sometimes it’s better to capture the beauty of it and you actually wrap it up and make it happen. This doesn’t really answer the question. (laugh)
SM: That’s fair. Now that Skyler has hinted at this, I continue to hope Skyler and Genevieve make some music together!
WM: Oh, I guess they’re going to do it anyway.
GA: Yes, that’s the plan.
WM: Maybe next season you’ll sing a little song for us.
GA: Maybe earlier.
WM: Maybe faster.
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.
