It’s Girls Gone Hallmark’s first Hallmark+ review! Megan and Wendy are sharing their thoughts on the new series The Chicken Sisters, based on the best-selling novel by KJ Dell’Antonia. Is this show merely about rival chicken restaurants, or does it offer more? They also discuss standout characters, veteran actors, and Megan’s insights into how the series diverges from the book.

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About The Chicken Sisters, Episode 1 – (Hallmark+, 2024)

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• Annie Mebane wrote this episode 1 of The Chicken Sisters. Annie is also an EP on the show. Annie’s previous writing credits include Bad Monkey and Shrinking, both on Apple TV+ as well as The Goldbergs, Community and Happy Endings. 
  
• Jimmy Gatewood directed this episode. Jimmy has directed 27 projects including Girls5eva, Survival of the Thickest, Ghosts, The Big Leap and The Babysitters Club.
  
• The Chicken Sisters was adapted from NY Times Bestseller and Reese’s Book Club Selection The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell’Antonia
  
• Margo Martindale voices the narrator. Margo has 131 acting credits with six Emmy nominations and three Emmy wins! Listeners might recognize her from her role on The Americans and Justified as well as the recent Peacock series Mrs. Davis where she plays Mother Superior
  
• Lea Thompson plays Nancy. Lea has 112 acting credits including, of course, Back to the Future and her role on Caroline in the City.  This is her second Hallmark project, having appeared in Next Stop, Christmas. She was also on a CW series in 2023, The Spencer Sisters, where she and her daughter play private detectives
  
• Wendie Malick plays Augusta, or “Gus.” For readers of the book, this is the character previously known as Barbara. Wendie has deep resume of 197 acting credits that include 149 episdoes of Just Shoot Me, 125 episodes of Hot in Cleveland, the Netflix series The Ranch, and Young Sheldon.  As far as we can tell this is her first appearance on Hallmark
  
• Schuyler Fisk plays Amanda. Schuyler has 28 acting credits including a role in the 2002 movie Orange County, co-starring Colin Hanks. She also appeared on the CW series Hart of Dixie.
  
• Genevieve Angelson plays Mae. Genevieve has 27 acting credits which include recurring roles on The Afterparty, New Amsterdam, and The Handmaid’s Tale. 
  
• Cassandra Sawtelle plays Frankie. Cassandra has 32 acting credits. She has previously appeared in one Hallmark project – Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder.
  
• Kelsey Mawema plays Lindsey, Sabrina’s daughter. Kelsey has 26 acting credits and also appeared in one previous Hallmark project – Sealed with a List. Her other credits include Life with the Walter Boys, Totally Killer, the Babysitters Club, and all three movies of the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series. 
  
• Rukiya Bernard plays Sabrina. Rukiya has 83 acting credits, which include her role as Hannah in all four Christmas in Evergreen movies. She also appeared in 11 episodes of Yellowjackets.
  

Watch the Trailer for The Chicken Sisters

Our Thoughts on The Chicken Sisters

Here’s a detailed rundown of everything we discussed in the latest podcast episode of Girls Gone Hallmark. If you’re not already a listener, we invite you to join us and dive into the world of Hallmark with us!

What We Liked

Excellent Character Development:

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• Wendy Malick as Gus: We were blown away by Wendie Malick’s portrayal of Gus. Her character is intimidating, with a nasty streak, making her both fascinating and a little scary. This multi-layered character has us intrigued to learn more about her backstory and what makes her tick.
  
• Amanda’s Relatable Struggles: Amanda’s character resonates on a deep level. Her feelings of isolation and unfulfillment, her challenges with her teenage daughter, and her desire to find “what’s next” in life, make her incredibly relatable.
  
• Supporting Characters: The ensemble cast, including Rukiya Bernard as Sabrina and Cassandra Sawtelle as Frankie, is well-selected and brings an additional layer of depth to the series.
  

Innovative Writing and Dialogue:

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• The introduction of relatable, modern issues such as childhood trauma, panic attacks, and hoarding provides a fresh perspective not commonly seen on Hallmark.
  
• Standout lines include:
  
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  • “It’s weird perverted stuff,” and “You should write a parenting book,” delivered with perfect teenage angst by Frankie.
    
  • Amanda’s genuine comment about wanting another baby, only to be countered by Frank Jr.’s dismissive response, “I already gave you one.”
    
  
  
  

Quality Production:

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• The use of a narrator enhances the storytelling, giving more context and helping viewers to quickly understand the characters’ histories.
  
• The pilot episode successfully introduces a wealth of information, from the central family feud over the chicken restaurants to the personal dynamics between the characters.
  

What We Wished For

More on Amanda’s Marriage:

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• While Amanda’s relationship with her disinterested husband, Frank Jr., sets up interesting conflicts, we are on edge about any potential romantic entanglements with Sergio. Amanda’s character is married, and any future romance must tread carefully to avoid alienating viewers.
  

In-Depth Background Stories:

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• We would love more flashbacks or detailed storytelling on Gus’s background and why she has developed her hoarding tendencies and series of anger issues over the years.
  

Expansion on Some Characters:

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• Additional screen time for Frankie and Lindsay as their unlikely friendship develops would be highly welcome. More focus on Rukia Bernard’s character, Sabrina, would also enrich the story.
  

Did You See That?

Hallmark Firsts:

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• The use of terms like “white trash,” “ovulating,” and lines like, “Wouldn’t kick him out of bed,” adds a surprising edge to Hallmark dialogue. Also, the candid mention of feeling “pissed” and the hilarious line, “Pushup bra you’re wearing?” were unexpected delights.
  

Authentic App Appearances:

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• It was refreshing to see Amanda actually scrolling through Instagram, making the use of technology feel genuine rather than contrived.
  

Character Nuances:

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• Notice the intensity of Gus’s anger when she interacts with her daughters. Her complex emotions hint at a deeper, unresolved personal history.
  
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