Pack your bags, because Hallmark+ is serving up the ultimate summer escape.
The network’s new six-episode limited series, Paris Is Always a Good Idea, officially premiered yesterday (July 30), with its first two episodes now streaming exclusively on Hallmark+, while new installments will roll out every Thursday through August 27.
Based on Jenn McKinlay‘s bestselling novel of the same name, the romantic dramedy follows nonprofit executive Chelsea Martin (Lacey Chabert), whose carefully planned work trip to Paris quickly turns into something much more personal after a heartfelt message from her late mother encourages her to revisit three former loves she left behind during a post-college backpacking adventure across Europe. Along for the ride is Chelsea’s ambitious coworker Jason Knightly (Scott Michael Foster), whose unexpected partnership slowly blossoms into one of the series’ biggest highlights.
While the stunning European backdrop certainly steals its share of scenes — with production filming on location throughout Paris and Spain — Paris Is Always a Good Idea is much more than a passport-worthy romance. The series thoughtfully blends love, family, grief and self-discovery into a story that feels equally heartfelt and hopeful, giving longtime Hallmark fans something a little deeper while still delivering all the swoon-worthy moments they’re craving.
“I loved having the chance to do a limited series for Hallmark,” Chabert told Celeb Secrets host Juliet Schroder during the show’s virtual press day. “Having six episodes instead of just one movie to tell the characters’ story was extremely exciting, and we got to dig a lot deeper. It’s a beautiful sweeping love story. It’s a family story, and we get to visit three different gorgeous places and take the audience on a journey with us.”
That expanded format allows audiences to spend more time with Chelsea’s emotional journey as she retraces old memories, reconnects with the people who shaped her past and ultimately learns that moving forward sometimes means looking back first.
“It’s got romance, it’s got comedy, it’s got loss, it’s got reconnection, it’s got family,” Rebecca Hanssen, who plays Chelsea’s sister Annabelle, shared with Celeb Secrets. “It kind of has something for everyone, and you’ll feel the whole spectrum of emotions.”
Her on-screen father, Henry Czerny, echoed that sentiment, revealing that the family’s unwavering support is ultimately what grounds the story.
“Lead with your heart,” Czerny said. “Lead with as much love as you possibly can regardless of the situation… Keep your heart open. Keep moving.”
Filming across Europe only made the experience even more memorable. Foster revealed that actually shooting in Paris and Spain helped immerse the cast in the story in ways a soundstage never could.
“When you’re actually in Spain, it’s totally different,” he explained. “You can feel it, and I think you can see it on camera.”
For Chabert, the experience even inspired her to slow down while traveling.
“I’m usually the person with the itinerary and the clipboard,” she laughed. “It was so nice to just walk the city… It taught me that some of the best experiences are more spontaneous.”
That same philosophy ultimately becomes one of Chelsea’s biggest lessons throughout the series.
“I think the biggest challenge for her is to be willing to open her own heart, knowing that it might be painful, but it’s worth taking the chance,” Chabert explained.
Behind the cameras, the cast built a family-like bond while filming overseas, with plenty of espresso-fueled mornings, karaoke nights and unforgettable moments in between. Hanssen even revealed that Chabert is “very good at karaoke,” while Foster joked that the European coffee and endless candy on set became his biggest weakness.
Even a sudden downpour during filming couldn’t dampen spirits.
“When every single cast member and crew member are drenched through to the bone, all you can do is laugh,” Hanssen recalled. “It just brings people closer.”
With breathtaking locations, an all-star cast and an emotional story that’s just as much about healing as it is romance, Paris Is Always a Good Idea is shaping up to be Hallmark+’s biggest streaming event of the summer.
The first two episodes are streaming now on Hallmark+, with new episodes debuting every Thursday through August 27. Make sure to watch our full interview with the cast below and don’t forget to let us know if you’re loving Paris Is Always a Good Idea by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
Interview quotes have been condensed and edited for clarity.
