New Western Romance Series - 'Love Comes Softly' - Coming to UP Faith & Family

Such exciting news for those of you who love a good story set in another time period!

If you’re a fan of series like When Calls the Heart, When Hope Calls, Hope Valley: 1874, and Little House on the Prairie, then you’ll want to hear about this! A brand-new Love Comes Softly series is on the way, with an expected debut on UP Faith & Family in 2027!

Get the full scoop on the story, the cast, and more, including Seeking Persephone actress Ryann Bailey, in the press release below!

UP FAITH & FAMILY

IN PRODUCTION ON

NEW WESTERN ROMANCE SERIES

LOVE COMES SOFTLY

ATLANTA (Oct. 15, 2026) – UP Faith & Family, the leading streaming service for uplifting movies and series, is in production in Los Angeles on the all-new original series Love Comes Softly. Based on the best-selling book series by Janette Oke and popular movie franchise, Love Comes Softly is a heartwarming Western period drama set during the expansion of the American West in the 1880s. Love Comes Softly is expected to premiere in 2027.

The series follows the lives of the Davis family, who move to Rock Springs after the death of A.J. Davis’ wife. As the newly appointed sheriff, A.J. (Zak Steiner, Euphoria) is determined to provide a stable and loving environment for his daughter, Emily (Sophia Paras, The Bold and the Beautiful). Alongside A.J., the resilient schoolteacher Sarah Chandler (Ryann Bailey, Seeking Persephone), the spirited aspiring doctor Jessie Davis (Maya Herzog) and the seasoned town doctor Richard Bain (Leo Howard, Legacies), navigate new beginnings, love and the challenges of frontier life. The ensemble cast also includes Aason Nadjiwon (Sky Med) as Clay Stoval, Natalie Ceballos (Law & Order: Organized Crime) as Rosa Lopez, Josh Cooke (Hart of Dixie) as Mayor Wiggins, Levi Mynatt (Abbott Elementary) as Thomas Stoval, Tunisha Hubbard (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as Josephine Stoval and Pooch Hall (Ray Donovan, The Game) as Louis Stoval.

“The heartfelt storytelling and timeless values embodied in Love Comes Softly make it a perfect fit for UP Faith & Family,” said Angela Cannon, EVP, Networks & Content Strategy at UP Entertainment. “The franchise already has a loyal and dedicated fan base through the best-selling books and beloved films, and we’re honored to bring this cherished story to life as an all-new series. With stunning production values and rich details woven into every scene, the creative team has built an immersive world that captures the beauty, resilience and hope of the American frontier.”

Love Comes Softly is produced by LCS Productions in association with Larry Levinson Productions. Larry Levinson is Executive Producer with Libby Beers and Jennifer Jenkins as Co-Executive Producers. The series is directed by Russell Mulcahy and Bradford May with Ali Calamari as Head Writer.

Viewers can stream UP Faith & Family anytime, anywhere for $5.99 a month on smart TVs, streaming devices and mobile devices. Viewers can also subscribe to UP Faith & Family through Dish, Sling, Apple TV+, DIRECTV, Xumo, Spectrum, Amazon Prime Video Channels, Xfinity, Cox Contour TV, The Roku Channel and YouTube Primetime Channels.

About UP Entertainment
UP Entertainment is the home for uplifting entertainment for passionate and diverse audiences across the leading cable, satellite and streaming platforms. Brands include UP Faith & Family, UPtv, aspireTV, aspireTV+, GaitherTV+ and Cine Romántico. UP Faith & Family is the leading subscription streaming service in uplifting entertainment. UPtv is the trusted network for adults seeking positive programming with relatable stories about relationships, filled with love and laughter, through exclusive premiere movies, box-office hit films and beloved series. AspireTV is the television network that celebrates and reflects Black culture, life and style in a way that is inspiring, authentic and entertaining. AspireTV+ is a subscription streaming service for Black culture and urban lifestyle entertainment. GaitherTV+ provides access to Gaither’s renowned and growing library of full-length award-winning Country, Gospel, Bluegrass and Christian concerts and specials, early premieres of new performances and shows, and exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews. UP Entertainment in partnership with PixL Dos, also manages and distributes Cine Romántico, a FAST channel featuring the best of Hollywood TV romance movies in Spanish. Additionally, UP Entertainment represents partner brand Ovation TV, an independent television, production, and digital media company, with an unparalleled commitment to the arts, culture and entertainment. UP Entertainment’s award-winning pro-social initiative, “UPlift Someone,” has inspired over 200 million people to uplift others through its social videos.

********** End of Press Release **********

My Quick Take:

I'm absolutely delighted to see UP Faith & Family bringing this wonderful series to the screen again! I've read and loved Janette Oke's original Love Comes Softly books, so the news of a brand-new adaptation is especially exciting to me. (And I'm sure it's the same feeling for those of you who've read them, too!)

Of course, Hallmark brought its own adaptation of Janette Oke's books to the screen years ago. Now, it will be wonderful to see a fresh interpretation of these cherished stories. I'm so curious to see what this new chapter will bring!

These stories have such a timeless appeal, with their beautiful themes of faith, family, love, and perseverance.

Stay tuned for more details!

Blessings to you all,

Net

Wild West Chronicles to Premiere on INSP this Spring...

Press Release via INSP:

INSP Sets Premiere Date

for Historical Docudrama Series

Wild West Chronicles

Inspired by the true tales of famous characters and unsung heroes of the American West, the series will make its exclusive television debut on Sunday, April 11th at 5:30PM ET.

(Indian Land, SC – February 24, 2021) General-entertainment network INSP, the leader in Western & Western-adjacent programming, has set the premiere date for Wild West Chronicles. The unique historical docudrama series, based on true stories of the old west, will premiere on Sunday, April 11th at 5:30PM ET. Craig Miller, VP of Original Unscripted Programming and Development for INSP, made the announcement.

Wild West Chronicles is a unique twist on the historical docudrama,” said Miller. “We didn’t want to do a typical docudrama with a bunch of talking-head experts, so we built a concept around a newspaper reporter who travels the frontier during the late 1800s to uncover the truth behind the wildest tales of the West. As he chases down stories, viewers meet notorious criminals, courageous lawmen, and everyday heroes of the Old West. With a diverse group of characters featured in the series, there is sure to be someone there for everyone to love or loathe, or both.”

The anthology series follows the legendary Bat Masterson, once a formidable gunslinger and lawman, after he trades his sheriff’s badge for a pen and becomes a newspaper reporter. In each episode, Masterson tracks down eyewitnesses who share their vivid memories of Wild Bill Hickok, Stagecoach Mary, Butch Cassidy, Bass Reeves, and other remarkable characters of the Old West. As they tell their stories, a bygone age of hardship and lawlessness is brought to life when fearless lawmen rode tall in the saddle and vicious criminals fought to escape justice.

The 15 episodes of Wild West Chronicles will air on INSP starting on Sunday, April 11th at 5:30PM ET

About INSP:

INSP is available nationwide to more than 70M households via Dish Network (channel 259), DirecTV (channel 364), Verizon FiOS (channel 286), AT&T U-verse (channel 564) and more than 2,800 cable systems. Click here to find INSP in your area. INSP provides a trusted viewing experience with a lineup of exclusive and original series, timeless Westerns, action-filled dramas, and films focused on adventure and heroic characters.

About MorningStar Entertainment:

Gary Tarpinian and Paninee Theeranuntawat created MorningStar Entertainment with the goal of producing high-quality Television Programing. Over the past 20 years, this Emmy Award winning Production Company has produced hundreds of hours of great Television Series and Specials for such esteemed US networks as Discovery, National Geographic, History, The CW Network, PBS, A&E, TLC, Lifetime, Travel, ESPN, Discovery Science, and many others. They have also worked with or had their programs air on such respected international networks as Channel 5 UK, RTL Germany, RAI-Italy, France 5, Antena 3 – Spain, the Australian Broadcasting Company and many others. Among MorningStar’s best known programs include the hit series I Survived!, Deadliest Warrior, Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force and Mysteries Decoded.

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Even though this is not a new movie, I thought many of you would be interested in this show - based on our love of When Calls the Heart and other period dramas.

INSP is a wonderful channel that shows family programming, like The Waltons and classic westerns, like Bonanza. It sounds like the Wild West Chronicles will be a fascinating series about the history of the old west.

Hope you enjoy it!

Blessings, Net

UP's New TV Series "Date My Date" starring Barry Watson premieres Tonight!

“Date My Dad”

image via: UP TV

Storyline via UP:
"“Date My Dad” is a 10-episode family dramedy that tells the story of a single dad raising three daughters. Ricky Cooper (Barry Watson) had the perfect life. A former professional baseball player, he was married to Isabella, the love of his life. Ricky’s world comes crashing down when Isabella passes away leaving him to raise three daughters alone.

“Date My Dad” picks up three years later while Ricky is raising the girls with the help of his live-in mother-in-law, Rosa (Raquel Welch). On his 40th birthday, Ricky experiences a different type of crisis when Rosa unexpectedly announces that she is moving. He becomes panic-stricken knowing he will have to tackle everything from make-up to boys to driving on his own. His daughters – Mirabel (15), Elisa (12) and Gigi (8) – have also been busy. They have taken matters into their own hands by making it their mission to get their dad back in the game…the dating game, that is. Ricky is in for a roller coaster ride as he is pushed into the dating world for the first time in 20 years while also being the best dad he can be to his girls."

“Date My Dad” Cast includes: Barry Watson, Raquel Welch, Zenia Marshall, Lilah Fitzgerald, Audrey Smallman, Matty Finochio, Cindy Busby, and more!

See the Premiere of Date My Dad

The Pilot Episode

Friday June 2, 2017 on UP at 9pm/8c.

(repeats at 11pm/10c.)

Plus, see Episode 2 following the premiere

Date My Date - "But I Really Like The Kids"

Friday June 2, 2017 on UP at 10pm/9c. 

(repeats at 12am/11c.)

Did Hallmark's "Chesapeake Shores" Pull You In?

If you watched the premiere of "Chesapeake Shores" as Trace (Jesse Metcalfe) convinced Abby (Meghan Ory) to let go and jump in the water, basically pulling her in, with his charm. Did "Chesapeake Shores" do the same for you... did it Pull You in?

'Chesapeake Shores' - Hallmark Channel
*Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Brendan Meadows

If you've read my review on Chesapeake Shores, then you already know my take on the premiere. Now, I would love to know yours! Let's hear it - Girls & Guys, too!!! Dish it out... all the details! You can kiss & tell here! (in a PG-rated way!)

'Chesapeake Shores' - Hallmark Channel
*Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Brendan Meadows

Did you enjoy the "Chesapeake Shores"
Premiere Movie?

Do you like the cast, the story, setting, etc...?

Will you watch the continuing series, on Sunday nights?

Please share your thoughts in comments below!

Hallmark's "Chesapeake Shores" changes Premiere Date!

The Hallmark Channel series "Chesapeake Shores" is still scheduled to premiere this Summer... but word has it that it will now premiere on August 14! (Source for this News: Commercial seen during Home & Family on the Hallmark Channel on April 27, 2016 by Hallmark super fan Lori Meeker, who is an administrator on Lisa Colangelo's Hallmark Facebook group. Thank you Sherry for sharing this news!)

*UPDATE 5/12/16: It's official: the Hallmark Channel sends out Press Release confirming 'Chesapeake Shores' will premiere on Sunday August 14, 2016!

According to Hallmark's press release, "the series will launch with a two-hour movie, followed by eight one-hour episodes" and "stars Jesse Metcalfe (“A Country Wedding”), Meghan Ory (“Dashing Through the Snow”), Golden Globe® nominee Treat Williams (“Everwood”), Academy Award® nominee Diane Ladd (“Wild At Heart”), and Barbara Niven (“Cedar Cove”). Based on the novels of the same name by New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods."

Stay tuned for more details!!!

Actress JILL WAGNER to Host NEW INSP TV Series "Handcrafted America"!

"Handcrafted America" image courtesy: INSP

I was recently given the opportunity (Thank you Melissa at INSP!) to preview the very first episode of the All New INSP television series “Handcrafted America”, hosted by the energetic, bubbly actress Jill Wagner. All of you movie fans will recognize Jill from INSP’s Christmas in the Smokies and Hallmark Channel’s "Autumn Dreams".

As host, Jill Wagner passionately takes you on three separate journeys during each episode, visiting creative individuals who craft products by hand, we might all use in our life every day.

Jill Wagner image courtesy: Christmas in the Smokies

From the beginning of time, if a person wanted something, they had to work hard to either buy it or make it. Nothing was easily and often today cheaply mass-produced in factories as products are now available from your local store.

The craftsman featured in “Handcrafted America” will show you from design to conception how an individual quality product comes into being. The first episode will premiere on INSP, March 1st, 2016 at 8pm/7c. In this half hour, you will see the incredible detailed inner workings of a clock completely made by hand, the family history behind the creation of a chair which does not use any nails or glue, and a woman blacksmith who creates objects from wrought iron and steel.


Video Clip of "Handcrafted America":



It's a fascinating adventure to follow Jill Wagner and watch these individuals create something into being from pieces of scrap metal, wood, paper, etc... From their hands they can design useful products like our forefathers did. Depending on each object, the time to create these items typically takes longer than your average factory generated product, but the lasting quality is often much higher.

While “Handcrafted America” visits craftsman who create these designs today from a dream into being… it’s also a piece of our American history that we should all remember and treasure.

Mark your Calendars...

for the Premiere of “Handcrafted America”,

hosted by Jill Wagner on INSP,

Tuesday, March 1st, 2016 at 8pm/7c.

"Lark Rise to Candleford" and 3 more Dramas - Coming to INSP this Fall

Beginning in October on INSP, there will be four new dramas added to their Fall 2013 lineup:


LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD

Based on a true-life story of Flora Thompson and set in the 1880’s English countryside, this tale chronicles the life of young Laura Timmons who moves a few short miles from her quaint shire to a nearby town. This rich, funny and emotional series follows the relationship of two contrasting communities: Lark Rise, a small hamlet gently holding onto the past, and Candleford, a neighboring market town bustling into the future.

JAG

An explosive, dramatic, adventure series about the military service of the Judge Advocate General (J.A.G.) Corps. As U.S. military attorneys, Commander Harmon “Harm” Rabb (David James Elliot) and his partner Major Sarah "Mac” MacKenzie (Catherine Bell) use intellect and grit to uncover the mysteries behind criminal cases that involve murder, treason and espionage. Their skill and tenacity bring America’s most dangerous enemies to justice. JAG combines the intensity of the battlefield with the suspense of a criminal investigation into one action-packed hour.


ROBIN HOOD

An action-packed, romantic and lighthearted drama that follows Robin of Locksley (Jonas Armstrong) after he discovers his town has fallen under the rule of the dark-hearted Sheriff of Nottingham. To fight the tyranny that has overtaken his home and his friends, Robin becomes the leader of a band of outlaws willing to rise up and fight for freedom. When Robin also discovers that his childhood sweetheart, feisty Lady Marion (Lucy Griffiths), has remained unmarried, he struggles to find a way to win her heart over the Sheriff of Nottingham’s second-in-command, Sir Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage).


CHRISTY

Based on the bestseller by Catherine Marshall, Christy tells the story of an idealistic nineteen year old (Kellie Martin) who leaves the comforts of her city home to teach school in the impoverished Appalachian community of Cutter Gap, Tennessee in 1912. Strength, determination, and faith, along with the friendship of Alice Henderson (Tyne Daly), guide young Christy Huddleston through unforeseen difficulties, help her to gain understanding of the proud mountain people, and win her the friendship and the love of two men.



My thoughts on these new series....

"I am most excited that INSP has acquired these new series for their network... especially "Lark Rise to Candleford". "It is my one weakness!" Lark Rise has aired on a few PBS affiliates, but for the most part, in has not been seen on TV in America. It is lovely period series. You will find yourself enraptured with the townspeople of Lark Rise: Twister, Queenie, Alfie, the Timmons family, and more... and then the people of Candleford, too: Dorcas Lane, Thomas Brown, the Pratt Sisters, and all of their day to day lives and happenings...

I must say I am not familiar with this particular "Robin Hood" series; however, "JAG" is a fascinating military drama where justice is served by actor, David James Elliott. In the TV Show "Christy", Christy Huddleston is portrayed by actress Kellie Martin, which is also a lovely period series that ended all too soon, yet each episode is precious and beautiful... something to treasure! Watch and you will see!

I hope you will enjoy all of these new drama series on INSP!"