Hallmark fans have plenty to look forward to this month with the return of the network’s “May for Moms” programming event, featuring several all-new, original romantic movies that premiere on Saturday nights during the month. The event is centered around the celebration of love and motherhood. The lineup will feature four exciting premieres: “Kentucky Roses,” “All’s Fair in Love and Mahjong,” “Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery,” and “True Justice: An Eye for an Eye.”
The event kicks off with the premiere of “Kentucky Roses,” which stars one of Hallmark’s most recognizable faces Andrew Walker. Opposite Walker is Odette Annable, who will be making her Hallmark debut with this film. The official synopsis reads, “A greenhouse worker and the son of Churchill Downs’ CEO form an unlikely pair, coming together to save the Kentucky Derby rose blanket and uncovering a generational love story along the way,” per Hallmark Channel.
When Is ‘Kentucky Roses’ Premiering?
Hallmark Channel’s newest movie will be premiering on Saturday, May 2 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT, the same day as the 2026 Kentucky Derby, which is famously held the first Saturday in May every year at Churchill Downs.
How to Watch ‘Kentucky Roses’
You can watch the movie live by tuning into the Hallmark Channel. It will be available to stream the next day on Hallmark+.
Watch the Sneak Peek for ‘Kentucky Roses’
Ahead of the premiere, check out a sneak peek of the film from the official Hallmark Channel Youtube account:
The cast also includes Ally Ledford, Peyton Meyer, Brynn Thayer, and Gregg Henry.
Walker & Annable Express Appreciation for One Another as Co-stars
“It taught me that I never want to work with an actress that is a lesser caliber than Odette. She set the bar high!” Walker told Digital Journal during his April 27 interview when asked about the lessons he learned from the “Kentucky Roses” screenplay. “In this movie, my character Ash finds love when he least expects it, and I think he is stepping out of his comfort zone.”
Walker continued, “I think we need to open and available to these things happening in our lives, and this is a lesson that we can all learn from.”
Also in the interview, Walker said that he was “the lucky one” to get to work with Annable. “Hallmark has been trying to get Odette in so many of their movies, and it just so happened that it fell on the ‘Kentucky Roses’ film,” he told the outlet.
Walker isn’t the only one praising his co-star. Annable has been just as enthusiastic about getting to work opposite the “Three Wise Men and a Baby” star.
“We made a pretty sweet movie called Kentucky Roses- and shot it at the iconic @churchilldowns,” Annable wrote in the caption of an April 29 Instagram post. “It premieres in 3 days on DERBY DAY at 8pm on @hallmarkchannel I hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it!”
She went on to give a heartfelt nod to Walker. “Thank you @awalkk35 for being a wonderful lead, co-star and for having your hand in making it all happen.”
