{"id":8042,"date":"2026-05-03T16:38:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T16:38:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=8042"},"modified":"2026-05-03T16:38:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T16:38:28","slug":"review-andrew-walker-and-odette-annable-star-in-derby-themed-hallmark-film-kentucky-roses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=8042","title":{"rendered":"Review: Andrew Walker and Odette Annable star in Derby-themed Hallmark film &#8216;Kentucky Roses&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 300px 160px; gap: 2px; width: 460px; background: #eee; padding: 2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u6574\u884c\u5bbd\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876674\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 90px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876676\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u5de6\u4fa7\u7ad6\u6392 -->\r\n  <div style=\"height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876672\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"height: 500px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876680\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u53f3\u4fa7\u6469\u5929\u697c\uff08\u548c\u5de6\u4fa7\u5b8c\u5168\u5bf9\u9f50\uff09 -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-row: 3\/5; height: 750px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876678\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e6\" data-zoneid=\"5876682\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><em><small>Andrew Walker and Odette Annable in &#8216;Kentucky Roses.&#8217; Photo Credit: Hallmark Media.<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Actors Andrew Walker and Odette Annable star in the new Kentucky Derby-themed Hallmark film \u201cKentucky Roses,\u201d which premiered on May 2nd, just in time for this year\u2019s Kentucky Derby.<\/p>\n<p>Clare Niederpruem directed from a screenplay by Jamie Pachino.<\/p>\n<p>The synopsis is: A greenhouse worker Sadie Moore (Odette Annable) and Ash Taylor (Andrew Walker), the son of Churchill Downs\u2019 CEO, form an unlikely pair, coming together to save the Kentucky Derby rose blanket and uncovering a generational love story along the way.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<iframe title=\"Preview | Kentucky Roses | Starring Andrew Walker and Odette Annable\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_H2LNpKjYU4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Andrew Walker delivers a towering and suave performance as Ash, which brings out his signature easy-going charm but it also adds more emotional depth than usual. <\/p>\n<p>His character feels grounded because he is torn between ambition and honoring his family roots, and Walker is able to convey that puzzling internal conflicts in a convincing manner.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaljournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kentuckyroses_sg_10__69ecc3aa65794-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"Odette Annable in 'Kentucky Roses'\" class=\"wp-image-3843936\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Odette Annable in \u2018Kentucky Roses.\u2019 Photo Courtesy of Hallmark Media.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Odette Annable is lovely and appealing in the female lead role of Sadie, and she will certainly sustain the audience\u2019s attention for its entire duration.<\/p>\n<p>The chemistry with his co-star Odette Annable is natural and unforced, allowing the romance to unfold at a comfortable, satisfying pace rather than rushing toward the finish line; moreover, their affecting rapport allows for more resonance.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, the father and son relationship between Ash and Frank (Gregg Henry) is explored, which tackles on such themes as reconciliation and freedom.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaljournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kentuckyroses_sg_50__69ef4eccc93a5-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"Andrew Walker in 'Kentucky Roses'\" class=\"wp-image-3844131\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Andrew Walker in \u2018Kentucky Roses.\u2019 Photo Courtesy of Hallmark Media.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ash is trying to prove himself outside his father\u2019s shadow as the CEO of Churchill Downs, so he has to overcome tension, which is mediated by his mother (played by a memorable Brynn Thayer), to reconcile and find common ground with his family.<\/p>\n<p>Particularly impressive about this rom-com is how it balances the romantic moments with the themes of tradition, taking cares, and reinvention. That emotional layer gives \u201cKentucky Roses\u201d a little more weight than your average Hallmark movie.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<iframe title=\"Sneak Peek | Kentucky Roses | Starring Andrew Walker and Odette Annable\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vBVnVjg7n8k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The movie is set against the lush, tradition-soaked backdrop of the Kentucky Derby, so it leans fully into its setting and cinematography without feeling gimmicky. In fact, Churchill Downs feels like its own character in the movie.<\/p>\n<p>The sole drawback is that there are a few plot turns that feel slightly predictable, especially for seasoned viewers of the genre, but that is bound to happen in the majority of the Hallmark projects out there.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-verdict\">The Verdict<\/h2>\n<p>Overall, \u201cKentucky Roses\u201d is a winning new Hallmark rom-com. It is uplifting and heartwarming, anchored by endearing acting performances from Andrew Walker and Odette Annable (who is Autumn Reeser-caliber good as Sadie).<\/p>\n<p>The pageantry of the race, the elegant fashion, and the sense of generational legacy all come together beautifully in this Derby-themed romance movie.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitaljournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/kentuckyroses_sg_23__69ecc3b664f47-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"Odette Annable in 'Kentucky Roses'\" class=\"wp-image-3843935\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Odette Annable in \u2018Kentucky Roses.\u2019 Photo Credit: Hallmark Media.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hopefully, this is a harbinger that there will be more films starring Andrew Walker and Odette Annable in the future.<\/p>\n<p>This is exactly the kind of warm, feel-good escapism one can hope for from a Hallmark film. <\/p>\n<p>Whether one is a longtime Hallmark fan or just in the mood for a sweet romantic comedy with a distinct setting \u2014in this case Kentucky \u2014 this movie is worth checking out. \u201cKentucky Roses\u201d earns 4.5 out of 5 stars. Well done.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- \u603b\u5bb9\u5668\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u5bbd908px Grid\u7d27\u51d1\u5e03\u5c40 -->\r\n<div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 728px 160px; gap:2px; width:908px; background:#eee; padding:2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u901a\u680f\u9876\u90e8\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u6a2a\u5e45 908x258 \u8de8\u6574\u884c -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column:1\/-1; height:258px; background:#ff6b6b; display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n    <!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114307\" data-width=\"908\" data-height=\"258\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114307});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u7b2c\u4e8c\u901a\u680f\uff1a728\u00d790 \u901a\u680f -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column:1\/-1; height:90px; background:#4ecdc4; display:grid; 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display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n\t<!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114302\" data-width=\"133\" data-height=\"139\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114302});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n    <div style=\"height:125px; background:#91e7ac; display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n\t\r\n<!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114303\" data-width=\"125\" data-height=\"125\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114303});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u53f3\u4fa7\u7ad6\u680f\uff1a160\u00d7600 \u6574\u5217\u9ad8\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-row:3\/8; height:600px;  display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n    <!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114301\" data-width=\"160\" data-height=\"600\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114301});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<br \/> Review: Andrew Walker and Odette Annable star in Derby-themed Hallmark film &#8216;Kentucky Roses&#8217;<br \/>\n<br \/>#Review #Andrew #Walker #Odette #Annable #star #Derbythemed #Hallmark #film #Kentucky #Roses<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Andrew Walker and Odette Annable in &#8216;Kentucky Roses.&#8217; Photo Credit: Hallmark Media. Actors Andrew Walker&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[5243,7591,8633,1188,7593,6398,7590,7283,7592,654,2493],"class_list":["post-8042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories","tag-andrew","tag-annable","tag-derbythemed","tag-film","tag-hallmark","tag-kentucky","tag-odette","tag-review","tag-roses","tag-star","tag-walker"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934.jpg",1600,1067,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934-768x512.jpg",640,427,true],"large":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934-1024x683.jpg",640,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934.jpg",1600,1067,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934-1115x715.jpg",1115,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934-800x500.jpg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934-540x340.jpg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/kentuckyroses_sg_77__69ecc3c7c1e1a-scaled-e1777124503934-400x250.jpg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?cat=7\" rel=\"category\">Stories<\/a>","tag_info":"Stories","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8042","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8042"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8042\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8042"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8042"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8042"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}