A new movie in the fan favorite “Hannah Swensen Mysteries” series debuts on Hallmark on March 7. Ahead of the premiere of “Sugar & Vice,” Alison Sweeney and Barbara Niven chatted about the bond they’ve formed with one another over the years they have played these characters. Fans won’t want to miss what they had to say.
Alison Sweeney Praised Barbara Niven for the ‘Gems’ She Creates in Her Work
Sweeney, Niven, and several other Hallmark stars, including “Hannah Swensen Mysteries” star Victor Webster, appeared together on the March 5 episode of the “Hearts in Motion” podcast. Niven and Sweeney talked quite a bit about how naturally they work together now after doing so many movies together.
This is the thirteenth movie featuring Sweeney and Niven playing their characters of Hannah and Dolores. As Sweeney noted, however, this is technically the eighth official “Hannah Swensen Mystery” movie. The earliest movies featuring the characters had “Murder, She Baked” titles.
As the stars chatted, Sweeney gushed over Niven, who plays her mother in the movies. She said, “I have to give it to Barbara, she just has these little gem moments that shine…you invent these wonderful ideas and ad lib,” and fans love them.
Sweeney noted that she and Webster, who plays her love interest, Chad, talk about this very thing quite often. She noted that while she and Webster do some ad libbing and create their own fun unscripted moments, she believes Niven is the pro at it.
Niven tried to lob it back to Sweeney, giving her credit for writing these “gems.” However, Sweeney wasn’t having it. She teasingly told Niven, “No, Barbara, that’s just not true. Don’t lie to the people.”
The rhythm and rapport that Sweeney, Niven, and Webster have developed with one another gives them an opportunity to do “a lot of adjusting along the way and finding what works in scenes.” In doing so, they feel that they find ways to make the scenes something truly special, and Sweeney noted that “fans love those little moments.
Niven Gushed Over Sweeney, Too
Later in the podcast, Niven opened up about her love for Sweeney and the bond they have developed. At one point, she said, “Can I just brag a little? Because I feel like Ali’s my daughter already, I mean, we’ve been doing this, what, 11 years? I watched you grow up, basically.”
Niven declared that Sweeney is a “prodigy,” raving over how she is an executive producer for the “Hannah Swensen Mysteries,” as well as the star. Not only that, Niven added, but Sweeney is also writing the scripts.
The movies are based off of the cozy mystery series of books written by Joanne Fluke. However, at this point, Sweeney adds her own flavor to the scripts.
According to Niven, Sweeney is a “true crime aficionado,” and she believes that shows in the “Hannah Swensen Mystery” scripts.
“Ali is just brilliant at that,” Niven raved.
During the podcast interview, Niven also teased that in “”Sugar & Vice,” romance is in the air for Dolores. “She’s a new woman,” Niven exclaimed.
She also shared, “Can we just say thank you to all the fans, all you sleuthers out there, because we are so grateful that we get to do this, and get to play, it’s our favorite thing to do and we can only do it because you watch.”
Alison and Victor are great in every film but Barbara must dial it down a ton or I can’t watch. She is loud, obnoxious and just plain silly for a woman of her age.
You do realize she is playing a character right?