PREVIEW: Portrait of Love on Hallmark Channel

In the latest Hallmark Channel original movie Portrait of Love, April Littleton (Bree Williamson from Haven and Deception) is one of the world’s top fashion photographers, but after making it to the top she seems dissatisfied with her career. To be more specific, she’s bored and tired of taking pictures of models in clothes that no one will ever wear.

So when she gets an unexpected phone call from her old friend Julia Robbins (Ella Thomas from All My Children) from her hometown of Belmont Hill, asking for help, April agrees to return. As it turns out, Belmont Hill will be celebrating its Centennial celebration; and as part of its arts heritage, Julia’s husband Frank Robbins (Cassius Willis from Revenge and The Young and the Restless), the newly-elected mayor of the town, suggests they hold an art competition and silent auction. Given April’s background, Julia asks April to donate some of her photographs to help raise money; she, of course, agrees to this and the old friends are eager to spend some time together.

The only drawback for April is that her old flame – and former sculpting partner – Luke Dwyer (Jason Dohring from Veronica Mars and Moonlight) is still living in Belmont Hill with his pre-teen daughter Jess (Caitlin Carmichael from Doc McStuffins and the online series Chosen) and his mother Doll (Frances Fisher from Resurrection). Being back in her hometown will force her to see him and deal with the memories of their heartbreaking break-up.

During it all, April is being hounded by her determined manager Tyler Mason (Corbin Bernsen from Psych), who is desperately trying to get her commitment to a lucrative deal that will have her working in Paris for the top fashion house for the next year. A job, by the way, that she really doesn’t want to take.

While visiting some friends who are participating in the arts competition, April is inspired to take photos of all of them while they are at work; this means having to spend time with Luke, and thanks to his daughter Jess, they end up working on a project together.

Will spending time together reignite their love? Will April decide to leave again, heading to Paris after all? How will it all work out?

Like all of the other Hallmark Channel original movies, this telefilm pulls on the heartstrings and features characters that you quickly care about and an interesting love story. Make sure to tune into Portrait of Love when it debuts on the Hallmark Channel this Saturday, March 14 at 9/8c.