The finale of Lacey Chabert’s new Hallmark+ series, “Paris Is Always a Good Idea,” dropped overnight with sparks flying and tears flowing on August 27, 2026. But the cast celebrated a few hours before the premiere, gathering with Hallmark execs in West Hollywood at the The Luckman Club at Soho House to watch a screening of the finale.
Chabert was joined at the event by series co-stars Scott Michael Foster, Rebecca Hanssen, Barbara Niven and Julien Marlon Samani, per press materials from Hallmark Media, as well as creatives involved behind the scenes of the movie. Everyone looked like they had a blast reconnecting with each other.
‘Paris Is Always a Good Idea’ Cast Grew Close During Shoot
HallmarkThe “Paris is Always a Good Idea” series is based on Jenn McKinlay’s 2020 novel of the same name, and follows nonprofit executive Chelsea Martin, played by Chabert, on a last-minute business trip to Paris. Though she’s been to the City of Lights many times, Chelsea had long avoided returning since her last trip 10 years earlier was cut short by learning of her mom’s battle with cancer and subsequent death. With help from her sister, played by Hanssen, she decides to revisit three past loves from her prior travels to Europe, curious to see if the spark still exists with any of them.
Meanwhile, Hanssen’s character is also dealing with her own love life trainwreck, and their dad — played by “Mission Impossible” alum Henry Czerny, who could not attend the finale celebration — was deepening his relationship with a new love, played by Niven, a longtime Hallmark fan-favorite.
HallmarkAfter spending many weeks filming together in France and Spain this past spring, the cast grew quite close, especially Chabert and Hanssen as they played the Martin sisters. They were thrilled to reunite at the August 27 event, hugging and catching up. Before the six-episode limited series premiered, they both gushed to EntertainmentNow about their bond.
Chabert said that it was a gift to forge tight bonds with Hanssen and other castmates, explaining, “You know, when you spend three months away from your family, you know, you have some days where you’re like, a little homesick. To have support and people that you love around you so much, and to go through the experience together, it was so special. We had so much fun together, all of us, you know, from having meals together in all these different places, feeling so blessed to be traveling. It was truly like the ultimate field trip.”
HallmarkFoster has returned to Europe since filming, for his own wedding in Gloucestershire, England, on August 1. He and his new wife, actress Carson Fagerbakke, looked happy as could be as they made their first public appearance together at the series finale celebration.
‘Paris Is Always a Good Idea’ Author Says Making of Series Was the ‘Most Amazing Thing to Ever Happen to Me’
HallmarkIn honor of the cast’s extensive European shoot, Hallmark Media said guests at the special screening celebrated at a “cocktail reception with Parisian flair” with French-inspired specialty cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and custom cookies shaped like the Eiffel Tower.
HallmarkMcKinlay was on hand for the L.A. celebration, and said that witnessing her novel be turned into the series has been “the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me.” She got to travel to Europe during filming to meet the cast and watch them bring her book to life.
In a social media video interview posted by Hallmark+ at the party, she said, “Having the story of my heart turned into a TV series was the most amazing thing to ever happen to me. And I can’t thank Hallmark, the actors, the cast, the crews, the fans, the viewers, the readers, who all showed up for this show. It meant everything to me and I’m so very grateful.”
The full six-episode series, “Paris Is Always a Good Idea,” is now available to stream via Hallmark+, and fans are already calling for a second season on social media, hoping to see where the characters’ stories go next.
