You know that feeling when you're flipping through the channels or scrolling through a streaming app and you just need something that feels like a warm blanket? That's basically the Hallmark effect. But specifically, the cast of It Was Always You managed to capture a kind of lightning in a bottle that most of these weekend movies miss. It’s not just about the script. Honestly, it’s about the chemistry between Erin Krakow and Tyler Hynes, which feels so lived-in that fans are still obsessing over it years after the 2021 premiere.
People get obsessed with the "opposites attract" trope, but it only works if the actors actually sell the friction. In this movie, Elizabeth is this hyper-organized, list-making person who has her whole life mapped out in a literal binder. Then you’ve got David, the brother of her fiancé, who shows up and just... creates chaos. If you've seen it, you know. If you haven't, you're missing out on one of the better "wrong brother" storylines out there.
The Core Players: Erin Krakow and Tyler Hynes
Erin Krakow is basically the queen of Hallmark at this point. You probably know her best as Elizabeth Thornton from When Calls the Heart. She has this way of playing characters who are super poised but also kinda vulnerable underneath. In It Was Always You, she plays Elizabeth (yeah, same name, different vibe). She’s engaged to George, who is played by Giles Panton. George is fine. He’s nice. He’s safe. But he’s also allergic to basically everything and spends most of the movie being a bit of a wet blanket while Elizabeth and David are out actually living life.
Tyler Hynes plays David. If you follow the "Hynies"—which is what his fanbase actually calls themselves—you know he’s got this specific brand of dry wit. He doesn't play the typical, overly earnest Hallmark lead. He’s a bit more cynical, a bit more grounded. In this film, he’s the world traveler who returns home and realizes the girl his brother is marrying is actually his soulmate. It’s messy. It’s awkward. It’s great.
The way they play off each other is what makes the cast of It Was Always You stand out. There’s a scene where they’re eating oysters—an "aphrodisiac," according to the script—and the facial expressions they swap are way more effective than any of the actual dialogue. It’s those small, human moments that make you forget you’re watching a formulaic TV movie.
Giles Panton and the "Third Wheel" Problem
Giles Panton had a tough job here. As George, he has to be the guy we don't want the lead to end up with, but he can't be a villain. If he's a jerk, Elizabeth looks dumb for dating him. If he's too perfect, David looks like a homewrecker. Panton plays him with this endearing, slightly pathetic stuffiness. You feel for him, but you also kind of want to tell him to go take a nap so the real leads can get back to their banter.
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He’s a veteran in the Vancouver filming circuit. You’ve seen him in The Man in the High Castle and Chesapeake Shores. He knows exactly how to occupy that space of the "stable but boring" fiancé.
The Supporting Family and Setting the Scene
The movie is set on an island, and the supporting cast fills out that small-town, tight-knit family vibe perfectly.
- Elysia Rotaru as Louise: She’s David and George’s sister. She brings a different energy, acting as a bridge between the two brothers.
- Nelson Wong as Eugene: He’s a staple in these movies. If you watch Hallmark, you recognize Nelson. He’s usually the upbeat friend or the concierge, and he provides that consistent, friendly background noise that makes the world feel inhabited.
- Frances Flanagan as Diana: Playing the mother, she has to navigate the weirdness of her two sons potentially being in love with the same woman. It’s a lot of meaningful glances over dinner plates.
Why This Specific Lineup Worked
Most Hallmark movies are shot in about 15 days. That is an insane pace. Because of that, the cast has to click instantly. There’s no time for "finding the character" on set. Krakow and Hynes are friends in real life, and that’s the secret sauce. You can’t fake the comfort level they have. When David teases Elizabeth about her lists, it feels like a real brother-in-law (or future husband) poking fun, not just a scripted line.
The production was actually filmed in Victoria, British Columbia, though it’s meant to be an idyllic island destination. The scenery is a character in itself, but without the cast of It Was Always You grounding the story, it would just be pretty pictures of the Pacific Northwest.
Deep Nuance: The "Wrong Brother" Trope
Let’s talk about why people keep coming back to this cast. It’s the tension. In many romance movies, the conflict is external—a business rival, a misunderstanding, a lost dog. Here, the conflict is entirely internal and relational. Elizabeth has to reconcile the fact that the life she thought she wanted (George) isn't the life that makes her feel alive (David).
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Krakow plays the realization with a lot of subtlety. There's a moment toward the end where she’s looking at her engagement ring, and you can see the weight of it. She isn't just playing "happy bride." She’s playing someone who is mourning the simple version of her future.
Fact Check: Was there a sequel?
Despite the massive fan demand—and there is a lot of it on Twitter and Instagram—there hasn't been a sequel yet. The actors have expressed interest, but the schedules of the cast of It Was Always You are packed. Hynes is constantly filming new projects like Three Wise Men and a Baby, and Krakow is tied up with the ever-expanding seasons of When Calls the Heart.
The Legacy of the Casting Choices
What’s interesting is how this movie changed the trajectory for Tyler Hynes. While he was already popular, the pairing with Krakow solidified him as the "edgy" lead of the network. He brought a certain realism to the role of David that broke the mold of the shiny, perfect male lead. He’s scruffy. He’s wearing a leather jacket. He’s a bit of a nomad.
On the flip side, Krakow proved she could lead a contemporary story just as well as a period piece. Often, actors get stuck in one lane. If you’re a "period drama" actor, networks are hesitant to put you in a modern rom-com. She crushed that doubt.
What to Watch If You Loved This Cast
If you’re looking for more from the cast of It Was Always You, you should definitely check out:
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- The Wedding Cottage (Erin Krakow): It has a similar "fixer-upper" energy but with a different romantic lead.
- An Unexpected Christmas (Tyler Hynes): This showcases his comedic timing, which is arguably his strongest suit.
- A World Record Christmas (Giles Panton): A more heartfelt, dramatic turn for the actor who played George.
The chemistry in this film wasn't an accident. It was the result of casting directors who understood that you need more than just two good-looking people; you need two people who can communicate without speaking.
Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you want to see this cast reunite, the best thing you can actually do—besides rewatching the movie on Hallmark Movies Now—is engage with the actors on social media during their "Live Tweeting" sessions for other movies. The Hallmark community is incredibly responsive to fan demand.
Also, pay attention to the director, Kim Raver. Yes, the same Kim Raver from Grey's Anatomy. She directed this, and her eye for pacing and emotional beats is a huge reason why the actors look so good. If she directs another Hallmark project, watch it. She knows how to get the best out of this specific stable of actors.
The reality is that It Was Always You succeeded because it didn't treat its audience like they were bored. It gave them a cast that felt like they had a history before the first frame even started. That’s why we’re still talking about Elizabeth and David’s oyster date and that final scene on the boat. It felt real. And in a world of manufactured romance, that’s a rare thing.