Hallmark’s newest movie, “Kentucky Roses,” premieres on Saturday, May 2 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. The film stars Andrew Walker and Odette Annable. Read on to learn all the behind-the-scenes details about the movie, including where it was filmed, along with cast and crew stories.
‘Kentucky Roses’ Was Filmed at the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Kentucky
“Kentucky Roses” was filmed on location at the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, Courier-Journal reported. This makes the movie as authentic as possiblle, especially considering that it premieres on the same day as the 2026 Kentucky Derby (aka Derby Day.)
According to the Kentucky Derby website, the movie “unfolds across two timelines” and brings “the spirit of the Run for the Roses straight to your living room.” According to the website, the movie takes care to present some iconic Kentucky Derby moments, such as:
- The rose garland presentation
- Twin Spires
- Derby racetrack
- Churchill Downs property grounds
- Signature Derby fashion like wide-brimmed hats and floral sundresses
- Mint Juleps trackside tradition (the Derby’s official drink)
Walker told Southern Living that filming this movie was a “pinch me” moment for him. He watched the Derby every year with his father, from the beginning of the day to the post-race commentary. He said he would FaceTime his dad when he was filming and show him the track and the horses warming up.
He joked: “I had to learn how to say Louisville correctly because I was going around saying ‘Louie-ville’ which is that French influence from [growing up in] Montreal.”
The cast and crew filmed in Kentucky for about a month, he told Southern Living.
Walker told People, “When I was there shooting in these areas of Churchill Downs, I was like, ‘I can’t believe we’re here. I can’t believe we’re shooting here and getting access to these places.'”
Annable also spoke with People, sharing how lucky she felt to film at the iconic racetrack and how beautiful the script was.
“I just feel very, very lucky to be a part of it. I’m obviously biased, but I just think our story is so special,” she said.
Meet the Cast
Hallmark’s synopsis for the movie 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.”
Andrew Walker stars as Ash. He’s well known among fans as one of the “Hallmark Hunks.” His many Hallmark movies include the “Three Wise Men” series of films, “A Bride for Christmas” (his debut), “The Perfect Catch,” “A Dream of Christmas,” “Love on Ice,” “Love Struck Cafe,” “Bottled with Love,” “Merry & Bright,” “My Christmas Family Tree,” “A Safari Romance,” “Maple Valley Christmas,” and more.
Odette Annable stars as Sadie. She’s known for TV and film productions like “Walker” on CW, “Breaking In,” “House,” “Supergirl,” “The Astronaut Wives Club,” “Two and a Half Men,” “New Girl,” “You Again” opposite Kristen Bell, “Cloverfield,” and more.
Also starring in the movie, according to IMDb, are:
- Peyton Meyer (Lefty)
- Ally Ledford (Gloria Green)
- Abigail Esmena (Camila Ortiz)
- Gregg Henry (Frank Reed)
- Annie Fitzpatrick (Anna)
- Katherine Morgan (Delilah)
- Brynn Thayer (Lillie Taylor Reed)
- Caisey Cole (Hannah)
- Mark Mozingo (Shep)
- LeJon Woods (Dean)
- Sonia Darmei Lopes (Lucia Ortiz)
- J. Barrett Cooper (Lefty’s dad)
- Cameron Meyer (Barbara)
- Kelly Pendygraft (Sonya)
- Cassandra Schomer (Michelle Smythe)
- Nathan Hunter Lloyd Adams (Kentucky Derby race fan)
The movie is directed by Clare Niederpruem and written by Jamie Pachino.
