Odette Annable talks about the new ‘Kentucky Roses’ movie on Hallmark, working with Andrew Walker

Odette Annable in ‘Kentucky Roses.’ Photo Courtesy of Hallmark Media.

Actress Odette Annable (“House” and “Supergirl”) chatted about the new “Kentucky Roses” movie on Hallmark, and working with Andrew Walker.

The rom-com will premiere on May 2nd on Hallmark, which will coincide with this year’s Kentucky Derby.

The synopsis is: A greenhouse worker and the son of Churchill Downs’ CEO form an unlikely pair, coming together to save the Kentucky Derby rose blanket and uncovering a generational love story along the way.

New ‘Kentucky Roses’ film

On starring in the new “Kentucky Roses” rom-com, she remarked, “It didn’t feel real until this past weekend when I was in New York City and we did al this press, and we were talking about our movie.”

“Then, we get to go back and do it all over again at the Derby. It’ll be great,” she noted.

“When we shot at Churchill Downs in Kentucky, it’s kind of different than going to the actual Derby with over 100,000 people,” she added.

Playing Sadie Moore in ‘Kentucky Roses’

On playing her character Sadie Moore, Odette said “I really love that this isn’t just a one tone story for Sadie’s character. She has got so many different layers and textures going on and different storylines.”

“I think one of the most beautiful aspects, obviously, is the romance that she fell upon, but also the relationship that she has with her mother and her best friend, Camilla, and her great-grandmother,” she elaborated.

“So, she comes from a long line of Churchill Downs workers from the greenhouse, and she comes from really humble beginnings,” she admitted.

“It’s really important for her to keep her family legacy alive and to uncover the truth,” she noted.

“Also, just to have that support from all of the women in her life, I think, was one of the reasons why she was able to eventually open herself up to love,” she added.

Working with Andrew Walker as her leading man

On working with Andrew Walker as her leading man, Odette expressed, “This is my first Hallmark movie, and they really just paired me with the best. I got the A-team. Andrew is such a great guy to work with.”

“Andrew is so lovely and supportive. We  just had great chemistry right off the bat. We felt like buddies right away, and so it just made the working experience so much easier and felt so safe,” she explained.

Lessons learned from the screenplay

On the lessons learned from the screenplay, she reflected, “It’s very clear to me that Sadie’s character was going through this crossroads in her life, and I’ve been there personally in my life many times.”

“I think a lot of people are going to be able to relate to that, and I think it taught me that pushing through and choosing yourself and following your dreams is important,” she noted.

“Everything will always come into place if you just have your eye on the prize and if you really just love yourself and believe in yourself. That’s a big thing for everybody to keep reminding themselves,” she elaborated.

Stage of her life

On the title of the current chapter of her life, Odette revealed, “Chaos.”

“I’ve got two small children and I’ve been married to Dave, who is also an actor, for 17 years now. My life is definitely not boring,” she said with a sweet laugh.

Message for her fans about ‘Kentucky Roses’

For her fans and supporters, Odette remarked, “I feel that Churchill Downs is its own character in this movie, but the fashion is its own character as well.”

“For people who have only watched the Derby as a sport, they are going to learn so much more because our movie stays very authentic to all of the facts and information about the Derby, all of which transferred into our script in a very authentic way,” she elaborated.

“So, this is a really beautiful film. I’m really proud of it,” she concluded.

To learn more about Odette Annable, follow her on Instagram.