Following his starring role opposite Billy Eichner in Bros, Luke Macfarlane is due to appear in another gay-flavored romance.
Notes of Autumn will star Ashley Williams, Luke Macfarlane, Marcus Rosner, and Peter Porte. The house swap movie sounds a little like that Kate Winslet-Cameron Diaz movie, The Holiday.
Macfarlane will play Leo, a writer living in rural British Columbia who’s hit a creative slump. He decides to swap homes with his best friend, Ellie (Williams), a pianist who lives in the city.
As they swap locations, Leo hits it off with Ellie’s friend, Matt (Porte), while Ellie finds romance with Leo’s neighbor, Sam (Rosner).
As the name suggests, it will be set against a fall backdrop and is part of Hallmark’s ‘Fall into Love’ program.
“The journeys of these characters and the paths their relationships take are handled with tenderness, compassion and explored in meaningful ways,” said Bart Fisher, Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Media. “This movie celebrates the fall season in a fun, contemporary way and has something for everyone.”
Recent gay romances on screen
Although Bros faltered at the box office, gay romances on the small screen have found audiences.
The first seasonal Hallmark movie to prominently a same-sex couple was The Christmas House in 2020. However, the characters were not the leads.
It followed this last year with The Holiday Sitter, which starred Jonathan Bennett (who also played a gay character in The Christmas House!) and George Krissa.
Netflix has also dipped its toes into the genre, with its 2021 Single All The Way. Prime Video has also scored good figures for its recent Red, White and Royal Blue.
Fans of 80s pop may be interested to know that one of the executive producers of Notes of Autumn is Debbie Gibson.
“I’m so thrilled to have a creative voice during such an exciting time in Hallmark Channel’s programming,” Gibson said in a statement. “This is a special story that celebrates how love can blossom in the most unexpected ways.”
This is not Gibson’s first work with Hallmark. She starred in the 2016 original movie Summer of Dreams, and the 2018 sequel Wedding of Dreams. She also executive produced both of those movies.
Notes of Autumn will premiere on September 16th.
Related:
Luke Macfarlane talks ‘Bros’ box office & why he turned down ‘Barbie’
Macfarlane recently announced he’d become a dad for the first time.
Luke Macfarlane and partner Hig Roberts become daddies!
They’ve had a daughter.
stanpaske
It was not The House Sitter, but The Holiday Sitter, which Bennett also wrote. Cute flick and Krissa is stunning. His smile can melt an iceberg. This new offering has a strong Hallmark cast. Hoping that the charm of The Holiday Sitter can be seen in this new flick. I am hoping for a follow-up to The Holiday Sitter this year too. Keep up the inclusive stories Hallmark.
David Hudson
Thank you. Corrected.
stanpaske
Bennett is gay and married. Porte is also openly gay. Ashley walked away from Hallmark because of their lack of diversity. This is a gut punch to GAF. Hallmark is going for the jugular with each movie they present. They have lesbians, interracial couples. They have come a long way and they are proving to be on the LGBTQ+ side of the narrative. Hiring and promoting gay/lesbian actors. Catherine Bell…The Good Witch. This was a fluff piece with far more potential. We should be supporting and watching.
Just.my.opinion
I am a longtime fan of both Mr. Macfarlane and Mr. Porte. Definitely looking forward to this movie.
Miles
A very appealing cast of Hallmark regulars. I believe both leads are openly gay. Single All The Way was surprisingly well done. The format of Hallmark movies has changed over the last few years for the better. I wonder who is the brains behind the shift? The casting has also become more diverse.
stanpaske
This is a full-on attack against GAF. This is Mean Girls 2.0. Hallmark plans to win.
bachy
Bros was the first time I saw Macfarlane, and I enjoyed his performance. Thanks for the heads up on his new romcom and the other inclusive Hallmark offerings.
1898
cute! can’t wait to see it