You know that feeling when you're watching a Hallmark movie and you suddenly realize you’ve seen the lead actress in about fifty other things, but you can’t quite place her? It happens. Especially with a movie like Love Strikes Twice. This isn't just another "small-town girl meets high-school sweetheart" flick. It’s got a weird, time-bending twist that requires a specific kind of chemistry to pull off without being totally cringey.
Honestly, the Love Strikes Twice cast is the only reason the movie doesn't fall apart under the weight of its own "what if" premise. If you aren't familiar with the plot, it follows Maggie, a high-powered lawyer whose marriage is hitting a massive rut. She wishes she could do it all over again, and—boom—she wakes up fifteen years in the past.
Katie Findlay as Maggie Turner
Katie Findlay is the engine here. You might recognize her from How to Get Away with Murder or the musical series Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. She’s got this nervous, high-energy vibe that works perfectly for a woman who just woke up in her college bedroom with a Nokia phone and no idea how she got there.
Most Hallmark leads play it very safe. They smile, they bake, they look pensive in knit sweaters. Findlay does something different. She brings a frantic, almost chaotic energy to Maggie. When she realizes she’s back in 2006, she doesn't just look surprised; she looks like she’s having a minor stroke. It’s relatable.
The interesting thing about Findlay’s career is how she jumps between gritty dramas and these lighthearted romances. She’s not a "Hallmark regular" in the traditional sense, which gives the movie a bit more edge. She plays the 30-something Maggie trapped in a 20-something body with a lot of nuance. She has to balance the wisdom of a woman who knows her marriage is failing with the naive surroundings of her youth. It's a tough act.
Wyatt Nash as Josh Morgan
Then there’s Wyatt Nash. He plays Josh, the husband Maggie is currently struggling with in the present day, but who is just her "friend" (with obvious feelings) back in the past. Nash has been around the block—Riverdale, Dear White People, and plenty of other Hallmark projects like The Bridge.
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He’s got that classic leading man look, but in Love Strikes Twice, he has to play two versions of the same guy. There's the "present-day Josh" who is a bit checked out and discouraged, and the "past Josh" who is hopeful, nerdy, and deeply in love with Maggie. The chemistry between Nash and Findlay is what actually sells the movie. Without it, the time travel stuff would feel like a cheap gimmick.
The Supporting Players: Marshall Williams and More
Marshall Williams plays Rick, the "other guy." In the original timeline, Rick is the one who became the successful, high-profile lawyer Maggie ended up with. In the "new" timeline, Maggie has to decide if she wants to chase that professional power couple life again or if she missed out on something better with Josh.
Williams is great at playing the guy who looks perfect on paper but lacks that soul-level connection. You might remember him from Glee or Amazing Winter Romance. He plays Rick with just enough charm that you understand why Maggie liked him, but enough rigidity that you’re rooting for her to pick the other door.
The cast is rounded out by some solid character actors:
- Brynn Godenir as Carrie: The best friend who provides the necessary reality checks.
- Sharon Bajer as Estelle: Adding that parental warmth that these movies thrive on.
- Alex Rochon as Mal: A fun addition to the college-era scenes.
Why the Casting Matters for This Specific Story
Most people think Hallmark movies are interchangeable. They aren't. Not really. The success of a movie like this depends entirely on whether or not the audience believes the lead would actually want to change her life.
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If Katie Findlay didn't look genuinely exhausted by her "perfect" life in the opening scenes, the stakes wouldn't matter. If Wyatt Nash didn't make the younger version of Josh so charmingly dorky, we wouldn't care if she "fixed" her marriage.
There’s a specific scene—no spoilers—where Maggie has to explain something "modern" to her past self’s friends, and the comedic timing Findlay brings is top-tier. It feels less like a script and more like a person actually losing their mind in the mid-2000s.
The Mid-2000s Aesthetic and Realism
Let's talk about the 2006 of it all. The production design and the way the Love Strikes Twice cast interacts with the era is hilarious. Seeing them with old tech and "vintage" fashion is a trip. The actors don't treat the 2000s like a period piece from the 1800s; they treat it with the slight embarrassment we all feel when looking at photos of ourselves from twenty years ago.
The movie was filmed primarily in Winnipeg, Canada. If you look closely at some of the campus scenes, you can see the distinct architecture of the University of Manitoba. The cast had to deal with the fluctuating Canadian weather while trying to look like it was a crisp, pleasant autumn day.
Misconceptions About the Movie
A lot of people go into this thinking it’s a remake of 13 Going on 30 or Peggy Sue Got Married. It’s similar, sure. But the Love Strikes Twice cast approaches the material with a bit more maturity. It’s less about "growing up" and more about "re-evaluating."
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One thing most fans get wrong is assuming this was a "one and done" for the actors. Since this movie aired, many viewers have been hunting for a sequel. While Hallmark hasn't officially greenlit a Love Strikes Twice 2, the chemistry between Findlay and Nash has led to them being paired in the minds of fans as one of the better "on-screen couples" in recent network history.
What to Watch Next If You Liked This Cast
If you’re a fan of Katie Findlay, you really should check out The Bridge. It’s a bit more sentimental but shows off her range. If Wyatt Nash is more your speed, his work in Petals on the Wind (a very different vibe, admittedly) shows he can handle much darker material than what you see on the Hallmark Channel.
To get the most out of your re-watch or your first viewing, keep an eye on:
- The way Maggie’s body language shifts as she gets more comfortable in 2006.
- The subtle differences in how Josh looks at Maggie in the "before" and "after" timelines.
- The background actors who really lean into the 2006 "business casual" look that we all want to forget.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of this movie or follow the actors, here is the best way to do it without wasting time:
- Check the Hallmark Movie Checklist App: This is the most reliable way to find out when Love Strikes Twice is airing again. They rotate these movies seasonally, and it often pops up during "Fall Harvest" or "New Year, New Movie" marathons.
- Follow the Cast on Socials: Katie Findlay is notably funny and down-to-earth on social media. Following her gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how these movies are shot (often in about 15 days, which is wild).
- Explore the Director's Work: Jeff Beesley directed this. He has a knack for making low-budget TV movies look much more expensive than they are. Looking up his filmography will lead you to other movies with a similar "feel" and high-quality casting.
- Verify the Soundtrack: Much of the 2006 vibe is carried by the music. If you can find the tracklist, it’s a great nostalgia trip that complements the work the actors are doing on screen.
The Love Strikes Twice cast managed to take a standard "what-if" trope and turn it into something that feels genuinely emotional. It’s not just about the clothes or the time travel; it’s about two people trying to find their way back to each other when life gets in the way. Whether you're in it for the nostalgia or the romance, the performances hold the whole thing together.