12 Days: Notes Of Autumn

'Ellie, a pianist gave up her passion and works for a hotel. Leo, a famous author with writer's block who can't finish highly popular book series. They both decide to swap places ending up completely lost in new surroundings.'

I watched my first Hallmark movie of the season this weekend.  After seeing the cast list, I set the DVR to record Notes of Autumn when it aired on September 16th.  That cast included three of my favorite actors, and three of Hallmark's hottest.  I've featured each of the three, Luke Macfarlane, Peter Porte and Marcus Rosner on FH before, and it was great seeing them all in the same film.

Like so many Hallmark films, introducing new things into their traditional films is done very slowly.  When they first introduced Hanukkah into their films, they ensured one person in the relationship celebrated Christmas as well.  This way, they could add menorahs and Hanukkah themed decorations, but surrounded them Santa and snowmen.

When Hallmark first introduced LBGTQ characters, they were mostly characters who were friends of the one of the straight leads.  Even when couples first appeared, they were secondary characters with a straight couple to balance them out.  I think last seasons, The Holiday Sitter may have been the networks first Christmas film with two gay men as the lead romantic couple.

Notes of Autumn takes a tiny step background by adding a straight couple in the mix, but Leo and Matt, (Macfarlane & Porte) are certainly the focus.  Macfarlane and Porte are both openly gay, and yet have both played the straight romantic lead in numerous Hallmark films.  I think the network must be given credit for hiring both popular actors to play straight roles, given they're both out.  Although gay actors play straight all the time, it's still rare to see gay actors be cast as lead in a straight romantic lead.

Rosner

Rosner is married and straight, but has not shied away from playing gay characters in the past.  I've crushed over Rosner for years, and make a point to watch or record his work, especially his holiday films on Hallmark. 

Porte

I have to especially give a shout out to MacFarlane, who've I've loved his turn as Scotty on Brothers & Sisters.  After playing the straight lead in over a dozen Hallmark romances, Notes Of Autumn marks the first time the network has supported him playing a gay role.  I just hope Hallmark continues to cast him in both straight and gay roles, as his appeal goes far beyond just his sexuality.

I hate to admit it, but I have yet to see Bros.  I plan to, maybe over the upcoming holidays.  I think I was turned off a bit by some of the promotion, in particular some of the comments from writer and star Billy Eichner.  I loved Eichner on Difficult People, but after listening to some of his interviews over the last few years, my opinion of him dipped.   I shouldn't hold that against MacFarlane however, and will make it a point to check it out.

Luke Macfarlane on Instagram

Peter Porte on Instagram

Marcus Rosner on Instagram