Lacey Chabert Stars in ‘Paris Is Always a Good Idea’ Limited Series Release Date and Details

Lacey Chabert has created a niche in cozy Christmas romances, but her latest venture takes her in a fresh direction. The Hallmark Queen of Christmas is stepping into the lead role of the new limited series, ‘Paris Is Always a Good Idea’, alongside Scott Michael Foster, based on the popular romance novel by Jenn McKinlay.

This project is not your typical two-hour Hallmark movie. Instead, it consists of six hour-long episodes, allowing Chabert much more space to explore her character than fans are accustomed to.

In this story, Chabert portrays Chelsea Martin, a driven nonprofit executive who travels to Paris with her confident rival-turned-ally Jason Knightly to secure a significant donation. A heartfelt message from her late mother and encouragement from her sister Annabelle propel her on an unexpected journey to reconnect with three great loves she once left behind.

Chelsea retraces her past from the rolling hills of Ireland to the enchanting streets of Paris and the sun-kissed vineyards of Spain, discovering that sometimes moving forward requires looking back. This premise gives Chabert’s character a rich emotional journey that transcends a simple meet-cute.

The supporting cast includes Barbara Niven, Henry Czerny, Rebecca Hanssen as Annabelle Martin, Stephen Hagan, Julien Marlon Samani, and Alejandro Albarracín. Czerny, known for his role in the ‘Mission Impossible’ films, plays Chelsea’s now-widowed father Glenn, whose new engagement encourages Chelsea to confront her past.

Chabert also serves as an executive producer on the series alongside Carrie Stein, Daniel March, Mike Benson, Rachel Gesua, Heidi Cole McAdams, and Lauren Muir, with the script penned by McAdams and Muir. This level of creative involvement highlights Chabert’s commitment to ensuring the story resonates.

The first two episodes of ‘Paris Is Always a Good Idea’ premiered on Hallmark+ on Thursday, July 30, with new episodes releasing weekly on Thursdays. This approach marks a shift from the traditional one-off Hallmark movie format, allowing the narrative to unfold over several weeks.

Chabert explained that the extended format was essential for this particular story, emphasizing that exploring Chelsea’s relationships across Ireland, France, and Spain would be challenging to fit into a standard two-hour slot.

She noted that six episodes allow for a more comprehensive storytelling experience, enabling viewers to immerse themselves in the narrative rather than rushing through it. Chabert assured fans that the show retains all the elements they expect from a Hallmark production, just with more depth.

Despite the expanded format, Chabert describes ‘Paris Is Always a Good Idea’ as a blend of romance and family drama, maintaining a balance that keeps it grounded in familiar Hallmark territory while experimenting with its structure.

The series was filmed on location across Europe, with Chabert capturing scenes on the historic Pont Louis Philippe stone bridge over the Seine at dusk, just steps from Notre Dame Cathedral. She described the experience as magical, soaking in the ambiance between takes.

Chabert also shared that the crew filmed under and on the Eiffel Tower, calling the entire shoot a spectacular setting. Securing access to one of the world’s most photographed landmarks is a significant achievement for any television production.

Showrunner and executive producer Lauren Muir explained that the mostly international crew was selected for their expertise in managing tourist-heavy locations. The aim was to capture the stunning surroundings without causing disruption.

Muir teased that the romantic stakes remain high throughout the season, hinting at twists and turns ahead, characterizing it as a romance-forward show with a clear love story for viewers to root for.

This project fits into a broader array of activities for Chabert. The actress, 43, has starred in over 40 Hallmark films, including ‘Christmas in Rome’, ‘A Merry Scottish Christmas’, ‘A Christmas Quest’ set in Iceland, and her latest film, ‘Lost in Paradise’, set in Fiji.

She shows no signs of slowing down after wrapping in Europe. Chabert’s 2026 Christmas movie, ‘Holiday Ever After, A Disney World Wish Come True’, has already completed filming and is set to premiere as part of the network’s Countdown to Christmas, trading the streets of Paris for the theme parks of Florida, a striking contrast to her current series.

Foster, her co-star, also brings his Hallmark experience, having appeared in last year’s ‘Return to Office’ with Janel Parrish, as well as 2021’s ‘Love, for Real’ and 2019’s ‘In the Key of Love’. Their dynamic as workplace rivals turned travel companions adds a familiar enemies-to-lovers spark layered over the emotional family storyline.

With three former loves, a grieving family, and half of Europe as the backdrop, which of Chelsea’s old flames are you rooting for by the season’s end?