Helmed by Annie Rocheleau, Hallmark’s series ‘The Chicken Sisters’ takes us to a small town named Merinac, where two fried chicken restaurants – Mimi’s and Frannie’s – have been rivals for generations. The people in the town are divided, with half supporting Mimi’s and the other half backing Frannie’s. This feud has even caused problems in the founders’ families. When a reality cooking show called ‘Kitchen Clash’ gives the restaurants a chance to settle their rivalry, both sides prepare for the final showdown. The show’s small-town feel and beautiful Southern countryside create a warm and lively atmosphere, adding to the excitement.
Where was The Chicken Sisters filmed?
Filming for ‘The Chicken Sisters’ happened mostly in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia. The filming started on May 6, 2024, and ended on July 29, 2024. The show was filmed under the working title ‘Nesting.’ It seems that the cast and crew had a great time on set, with actress Lea Thompson sharing on Instagram how much she enjoyed working with everyone, mentioning even a fun mud fight she had with co-star Wendie Malick!
Vancouver and Langley
The production team chose Vancouver and nearby areas like Langley City for creating the Southern town seen in the show. Langley was a great choice because its farmlands and quiet surroundings perfectly fit the fictional town of Merinac. A lot of the scenes, including the farmhouse where characters Mae and Amanda Moore live, were filmed on a real property located at 6290 272 Street in Langley.
This property has two houses, three barns, and 93 acres of land with rich soil, mountain views, and green landscapes, which made it a great spot for the show. The main house featured in the show has two bedrooms, a fireplace, and an unfinished basement. The property was put up for sale in 2023, which allowed the crew to use it for filming.
Langley’s peaceful, small-town charm, its local shops, and its close-knit community feeling were perfect for ‘The Chicken Sisters,’ a show that is all about family and close relationships. Since it’s near Vancouver, a major filming hub, Langley has been used for other productions too, like ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2,’ ‘Good Boys,’ and ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.’
The Real Inspiration Behind ‘The Chicken Sisters’
Though the show is fictional, it is based on KJ Dell’Antonia’s 2020 novel, which itself is inspired by a real-life rivalry between two fried chicken restaurants in Crawford County, Kansas. These two restaurants, Chicken Annie’s and Chicken Mary’s, have been competing since 1934 and are just 600 feet apart from each other. Even though the restaurant owners, Annie and Mary Pichler, were not related, their rivalry has divided people in the town, with locals only choosing one restaurant over the other.
KJ Dell’Antonia, the author of the book, grew up hearing about this rivalry. Her parents were from Crawford County, and she used to visit the area frequently. Dell’Antonia said that the idea of the restaurants stuck with her, and she thought about writing a story about them for many years. “Nobody ever went to both of them,” she mentioned in an interview. After a long time of thinking, she finally created a story based on this real rivalry.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – The Chicken Sisters
Q: Where was The Chicken Sisters filmed?
A: The Chicken Sisters was filmed primarily in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, and specifically in Langley City. Langley was chosen for its picturesque farmlands and small-town charm, which perfectly matched the setting of the fictional town of Merinac.
Q: When was The Chicken Sisters filmed?
A: Filming for The Chicken Sisters began on May 6, 2024, and concluded on July 29, 2024. The production took place over these months to capture the show’s Southern-themed ambiance and small-town atmosphere.
Q: When is The Chicken Sisters set to be released?
A: The Chicken Sisters premiered on Hallmark Channel on September 10, 2024.
Q: Were there any notable behind-the-scenes moments during filming?
A: Yes, there were several memorable moments behind the scenes. For example, actress Lea Thompson shared on Instagram about a fun mud fight with co-star Wendie Malick. The cast and crew enjoyed their time together, creating a positive and enjoyable working environment.
