Romance at Hope Ranch
A new chapter, a fresh start, and maybe a second chance at love. Romance at Hope Ranch is bringing big Ali Sweeney energy to a picturesque corner of New Mexico. We’re talking ranches, reunions, and a mother-daughter duo that’s going to make you reach for the tissues before the opening credits even finish. We have thoughts.
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About Romance at Hope Ranch
Hope Morgan sets out to begin a new chapter of her life, fulfilling her childhood dream of running a ranch in the picturesque town of Ruidoso, New Mexico and reviving the beloved Giddy Up Gala. If a fresh start in a gorgeous setting with a charming cowboy showing up to complicate things sounds like exactly what you need right now, saddle up. This one’s for you.
Where to Watch Romance at Hope Ranch
Romance at Hope Ranch premieres Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel. If you miss the premiere, it will be available to stream on Hallmark+ starting Sunday, March 1. Check your local cable listings for encore airings in the weeks that follow.
Cast and Crew of Romance at Hope Ranch
- Tailiah Breon directed Romance at Hope Ranch. This is her first Hallmark project but her 24th directing credit overall, and she’s no stranger to the director’s chair, with titles like Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story and Tempted by Love: A Terry McMillan Presentation among her credits. We’re excited to see what a fresh voice brings to the Hallmark world.
- Juliana Wimbles wrote the screenplay. This is Juliana’s tenth writing project, and Hallmark fans will recognize her work from Love on the Amazon earlier this year. She’s also got a Hannah Swensen movie coming up next month, so clearly she’s having quite a year.
- Hope Morgan is played by Alison Sweeney, who also serves as executive producer on this project. Ali appeared in four Hallmark projects in 2025: the To Barcelona movies as well as two installments of Hannah Swensen Mysteries. She stays busy, and we’re not complaining.
- Gabriel Hogan plays Jack, Hope’s ex who shows up on the ranch ready to make a case for a second chance. Hallmark fans know Gabriel best as Norman Rhodes in Hannah Swensen, but he’s also been keeping busy on The Lincoln Lawyer and Heartland, and will be joining the cast of The Way Home for season 4. More on the Sweeney-Hogan pairing in a moment, because there is a lot to talk about.
- Megan Sweeney plays Maggie Morgan, Hope’s college-bound daughter. Yes, that’s Alison Sweeney’s real-life daughter making her acting debut here. Megan was 16 when they filmed this, the same age Alison was when she first landed the role of Sami on Days of Our Lives. The parallels are not lost on us.
- Scott Martin plays Tom Grayson. Scott is an occasional actor with nine previous credits and a strong background in producing, though this appears to be his first Hallmark project in any capacity.
- Stephanie Beran plays Lori Bennett. This is Lori’s 13 acting project and her first for Hallmark. Her last project was Exit Protocol in 2025.
The Real Story: Ali and Megan’s Moment on Set
We have to talk about the opening scene, because according to Alison Sweeney, it was genuinely emotional in a way that no amount of direction could have manufactured. The movie opens with Hope dropping her daughter off at college. Since it was actually Alison dropping off actually Megan, the feelings were very real. We’re going to imagine she was flashing forward to that very real moment in the very near future.
Alison told EntertainmentNow that when they were filming the dorm room scene (btw the decor consists of Megan’s real equestrian ribbons from home) something clicked that neither of them had expected.
As for whether Megan caught the acting bug? Not so much. Alison laughed that when she asked her daughter if she wanted to do it again, Megan’s answer was essentially a polite “no thanks.” She loved the experience and is proud she did it, but she has other ambitions. Alison being a great mom acknowledges she’s actually tried very hard to encourage those interests all along.
Wait, Norman Is Now the Love Interest?
If you’re a Hannah Swensen fan, you already know that Gabriel Hogan has been by Alison Sweeney’s side as her character’s bestie Norman Rhodes since 2015. So how does it feel to suddenly be playing romantic leads opposite each other?
According to Alison, in a word: weird. But also funny, and ultimately wonderful. She told CinemaBlend that she didn’t really think about the shift until they were actually on set, and then the change in dynamic caught her off guard in the best way.
After a decade of working together as friends, Hogan apparently has no trouble turning on the charm when a scene calls for it. “He can really turn on the charm and be that hero, the leading guy,” she said, noting that it was a completely different experience from watching him play Norman.
If You Loved Romance at Hope Ranch, You Might Also Like…
The second-chance romance with a cozy setting is basically a Hallmark love language. If this one hit the spot, here are a few Girls Gone Hallmark favorites with a similar vibe:
- Love on the Amazon — writer Juliana Wimbles’s other recent Hallmark outing
- Any of the Hannah Swensen Mysteries — to see the Sweeney-Hogan dynamic in its natural habitat before you see them as love interests
- For a second chance romance with a holiday twist, check out The Christmas Quest featuring ex-spouses working together on a treasure hunt
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