Chad Michael Murray is used to pulling on fans’ heartstrings as the charming yet occasionally troubled Cal Jones on “Sullivan’s Crossing.” Now, the Hallmark alum is set to star in an upcoming film called “Disconnecting Peter,” which sounds like it will definitely make viewers more than a little emotional.
Chad Will Star as a Husband and Father in ‘Disconnecting Peter’
Murray’s new movie, “Disconnecting Peter,” may focus on a family, but it’s not a lighthearted story. Instead, the star will be putting his acting skills to the test by taking on this seemingly heartwrenching (and maybe heartwarming?) tale.
“The film centers on a fractured family grappling with unresolved trauma stemming from a past tragedy,” according to Variety. “Peter Ruck (Murray), a troubled husband and father, finds himself trapped by his own destructive habits, threatening to unravel the family unit.”
Variety explains that Peter’s “wife, Elizabeth, fights to hold things together at all costs, while their daughter, Jenna, confronts the collapse of her aspirations to attend Juilliard. As tensions mount, the family must decide whether to confront their pain or succumb to the chaos.”
The film’s writer and director, Christopher Beatty, said in a statement, via Variety, “The script is very personal to me, and I wanted to share my vision with a mass audience. I’m thrilled to be working with an actor as talented as Chad to help bring this complex character to life.”
As for who else will appear in the film, casting is currently in progress, while the production is scheduled to start in January 2027.
Chad Sees His Current Career as a ‘Do-Over’
GettyWhen Murray first broke onto the scene, he nabbed parts on super-popular shows like “One Tree Hill,” “Gilmore Girls” and “Dawson’s Creek.” That’s not to forget about films, including “A Cinderella Story” and “Freaky Friday.”
“These days, … Murray tends to portray the hometown hunk in made-for-TV movies like Write Before Christmas (Hallmark), Love in Winterland (also Hallmark), and Toying With the Holidays (Lifetime),” The Cut pointed out. That’s not to mention his role on “Sullivan’s Crossing.”
Granted, The Cut also notes that “he hasn’t forgotten how to dot his wholesome repertoire with the occasional steamy part.” For instance, “[i]n Mother of the Bride, he plays a kindhearted, easy-on-the-eyes doctor…”
Murray explained to The Cut that his career nowadays is a kind of “do-over.”
“I remember in my younger 20s, I’d wake up and say, ‘Oh, I’ve got to go to work.’ And that’s a very different place to even start your day,” he said. “It’s just a very different mind-set where I have gratitude. I get to go to work and I love that opportunity to just spread love, try to elevate energy, and respect the craft. Instead of coming at it as a disgruntled, tired 21-year-old.”
He also addressed the fact that he’s pretty darn grateful these days while saying “I know how quickly everything can go away, and I know how quickly it can grow into something that you never expected. I think it’s all about using that perspective shift. I’m beyond blessed.”
