“The Way Home,” a captivating time-traveling family drama, returns for its third season with the aptly titled premiere episode, “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” hinting at the exciting new developments awaiting audiences. The series centers around three generations of Landry women – Del, Kat, and Alice – residing in a quaint farm town, their lives intertwined by a mysterious pond possessing the power of time travel. Season two saw the narrative expand to include the year 1814, where the long-lost Jacob, Kat’s younger brother, was discovered living. Season three promises another temporal leap, this time to the vibrant decade of the 1970s, adding another layer of complexity to the already intricate storyline. The episode title itself serves as a clever clue, alluding to the 1974 Bachman-Turner Overdrive hit song.
The cast, featuring Andie MacDowell as Del, Chyler Leigh as Kat, and Sadie Laflamme-Snow as Alice, eagerly embraces the challenges and opportunities presented by the new time period. Laflamme-Snow, despite being born after the ’70s, finds excitement in portraying Alice in that era, particularly drawn to the distinctive fashion. She shares a heartwarming anecdote about receiving a picture from her father of him and his brothers in 1975, a visual touchstone that helped her connect with the era on a personal level and inform her performance. The series incorporates period-specific music not only in the episode titles but also as an integral part of the storyline, enhancing the authenticity and immersing viewers in the atmosphere of the ’70s. Leigh highlights the prevalence of talented singer-songwriters during that decade and expresses anticipation for audiences to experience the carefully curated soundtrack.
Juggling multiple timelines presents a unique set of challenges for the production and actors. Leigh describes the experience of filming four episodes concurrently as “controlled chaos,” a testament to the intricate narrative tapestry woven throughout the season. The creative team plays a crucial role in ensuring continuity and helping the actors navigate the complexities of time travel. Central to the series, both literally and figuratively, is the time-traveling pond. Laflamme-Snow humorously points out the contrasting experiences of interacting with the pond in different seasons, highlighting the practical realities of filming outdoors. She also emphasizes the pond’s inherent magical quality and the heightened intensity of scenes shot there, given their dramatic significance within the narrative.
Leigh further reinforces the pond’s importance, referring to it as a “crucial character” in the show. She expresses both love and respect for the pond, acknowledging the environmental awareness it has fostered in her, particularly regarding the life cycle of frogs, which are abundant and audibly present during filming. Leigh’s lighthearted anecdote about the increased frog activity during the season underscores her characteristic humor and positive attitude on set. While “The Way Home” explores weighty themes of love, life, and death, Leigh’s playful nature contributes to a positive and supportive working environment.
Leigh believes that maintaining a positive morale on set elevates everyone’s work, fostering a sense of safety and happiness. She admits to occasionally getting in trouble for her laughter and silliness, but her colleagues understand it as part of her nature, knowing she can seamlessly transition to seriousness when the scene demands it. For MacDowell, the emotional depth of Del’s character presents a different kind of challenge. She focuses on portraying Del’s grief and the delicate balance between sorrow and hope that defines her journey. MacDowell finds this demanding role both fulfilling and interesting, striving to embody the complexities of Del’s emotional landscape.
The intergenerational dynamics of the Landry women are a source of fascination for the cast. Leigh expresses her delight in portraying the connective tissue between Del and Alice, observing the reflections of herself in both her mother and daughter. Laflamme-Snow finds joy in playing Alice, a teenager navigating typical adolescent experiences while simultaneously bearing the responsibility of a time traveler tasked with healing her family’s past and present. She values the unique opportunity to witness the formative events that shaped her mother and grandmother, gaining a deeper understanding of their present selves. Laflamme-Snow praises the originality of the story, emphasizing the rarity of such narratives on television.
Reflecting on her involvement with “The Way Home,” Laflamme-Snow expresses hope that the show will resonate with viewers and offer comfort, inspiration, or catharsis during challenging times. She understands the potential of storytelling to connect with audiences on a personal level and acknowledges the dedication of the cast and crew in bringing the story to life. The third season of “The Way Home” promises to further explore the intricate relationships between the Landry women, the mysteries of time travel, and the enduring power of family bonds. The premiere, airing on January 3rd on Hallmark Channel and streaming the next day on Hallmark+, invites viewers to embark on another emotional and captivating journey through time.
