Beloved Hallmark star Andrew Walker has gotten candid about his new movie, “Kentucky Roses”, which is a first for the network. Hallmark teamed up with Churchill Downs for the epic film. Walker has compared “Kentucky Roses” to the 90s mega-hit “Titanic” ahead of its highly anticipated premiere.
What Makes ‘Kentucky Roses’ Like ‘Titanic’ to Andrew Walker
The actor stopped by “The Kelly Clarkson Show” to chat all about his new Hallmark movie with host Kelly Clarkson. It was the first time they had ever met, but they connected instantly, talking about music and Clarkson’s birthday before getting to the film.
Clarkson wasted no time asking Walker why it was that he had said “Kentucky Roses” like the “Titanic” movie.
“It’s a multi-generational movie. It’s surrounded around this necklace that we find. It’s a heritage necklace that’s been missing for a hundred years. And it’s two people, two unlikely people to find each other despite coming from two completely different worlds. And so it’s, we deal with the classes, the class structure, and Odette, who’s incredible in the movie, plays a greenhouse worker,” he explained to the “American Idol” winner.
Walker went on to reveal that Churchill Downs is literally like its own city, something he had no idea about until filming the movie there. He revealed that Churchill Downs has its own greenhouse, grocery store, sports teams, school, and a housing area for those working with the horses. Clarkson compared it to a compound, and Walker agreed that it was the right assessment.
In the movie, Walker plays an architect and the son of the CEO who must come in to help literally save the Kentucky Derby. Walker spilled that his character faces several challenges while working with Odette Annable’s character to make sure the annual event goes off without a hitch.
‘Kentucky Roses’ Is Extra Special for Andrew Walker
It turns out that besides “Kentucky Roses” being a major event for Hallmark, the movie had an extra special meaning to Walker because of his father.
“My dad is a real traditional guy. He loves the Rose Bowl parade. He loves big band stuff. And so Derby Day, I would sit with him and watch the Derby,” the actor shared.
Walker went on to reveal that while he was filming the movie, he found a way to get his dad in on the action.
“I would FaceTime him. Our trailers were set up right next to the track. So 6, I’d roll in at 5 o’clock, 530 in the morning. And the dew would be coming off the track. And it would be dawn, sun’s coming up. And I would FaceTime,” Walker shared, adding that the horses would be warming up then so his father could see that in the video call too.
Clarkson got Walker to confirm that he had learned a new skill on set: mixing appropriate cocktails for race day. Walker even had the Kentucky Derby signature drink, the Mint Julep, brought out in honor of Clarkson’s birthday.
Along with Walker and Annable, “Kentucky Roses” also stars Ally Ledford, Peyton Meyer, Brynn Thayer, and Gregg Henry. The movie premieres on Saturday, May 2, which is also the day of the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
