The Friendship Story Behind Hallmark's 'Legend of the Lost Locket' with Viv Leacock and Natasha Burnett

Hallmark s The Legend of the Lost Locket Is Based on Stars Viv Leacock and Natasha Burnett s Banter

Hallmark Media/Syd Wong

Viv Leacock and Natasha Burnett have always had a great connection, and their chemistry really shined in the Hallmark movie Legend of the Lost Locket.

Leacock, 49, shared with We that their real-life banter and chemistry influenced their on-screen characters, Amelia and Marcus. "When we're laughing, it's genuine. Everything Natasha and I do on set is real, and we have a lot of fun working together."

Leacock and Burnett initially met on season 8 of When Calls the Heart in 2021, portraying the characters Joseph and Minnie Canfield, a married couple. Their first romantic comedy for the network, Legend of the Lost Locket, will debut on Saturday, April 13.

In the movie, Burnett plays the role of Amelia, a British antique dealer who travels to a small town in Massachusetts in search of a long-lost locket believed to bring true love to its wearer. While in the United States, she crosses paths with local sheriff Marcus, played by Leacock, who decides to assist her in the quest for the treasure.

"We collaborated on creating these characters and brought the idea to writer Michelle Ricci. She then presented it to our producer, Howard Braunstein, who in turn took it to Hallmark's executive," Leacock shared with Us. "Together, we spent a year and a half shaping the idea, developing the characters, and crafting the storyline that you eventually saw on screen."

Hallmark s The Legend of the Lost Locket Is Based on Stars Viv Leacock and Natasha Burnett s Banter

Burnett recently shared with Us that one of the main reasons she and Leacock decided to work together on the concept was her strong desire to "play British."

Leacock shared that his experience working as a detective on Hallmark Mystery’s Hailey Dean Mysteries franchise served as inspiration for the project. Burnett explained, “We were looking for a concept that would blend our two worlds together. As friends, we often joke about the differences between British English and American English. We thought it would add a touch of humor to the movie.”

In the film, Marcus and Amelia constantly correct each other, a detail Leacock revealed was influenced by his and Burnett's ongoing debates about the different names for items in the U.S. and the U.K.

Leacock admitted to being influenced by Tasha's speech patterns in real life, as she uses different words for different things. He often finds himself trying to imitate her accent, much to her annoyance. Despite her protests, he just can't seem to stop himself from speaking like he's from the U.K. when he's around her.

One memorable incident involved Amelia mistakenly ordering potato chips instead of French fries at a local diner. In England, "chips" refer to fries, while "crisps" are what Americans commonly know as chips.

Hallmark s The Legend of the Lost Locket Is Based on Stars Viv Leacock and Natasha Burnett s Banter

Hallmark Media/Ryan Plummer

Leacock shared with Us that one of his favorite scenes is the banter between him and Burnett during the "chip bit". He mentioned that it was a fun moment for him.

Burnett also pointed out that "chipgate" was one of the top moments to film. She mentioned that her line about a "loft" instead of an "attic" was inspired by her real vocabulary.

She recalled saying, "Oh, I know the loft," and he corrected her, saying, "the attic." It wasn't scripted, but she preferred 'loft' over 'attic'. She found it fascinating how American English and British English sometimes interchanged without her realizing.

Hallmark s The Legend of the Lost Locket Is Based on Stars Viv Leacock and Natasha Burnett s Banter

Leacock noticed before filming began that the duo had a great chemistry and banter in real life. He thought, "We have to capture that on film in one of our romantic comedies."

Burnett agreed completely, mentioning that the costars share a strong connection on various levels throughout the years. It was a clear decision to incorporate that chemistry into the movie.

“We have always clicked for numerous reasons. Therefore, it was effortless to portray contemporary characters and include the banter that naturally occurs between us,” she explained to Us. “Many of the expressions we exchanged were just like the ones we would share in real life. It all felt very authentic.”

Legend of the Lost Locket premieres on Hallmark Channel Saturday, April 13, at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can also stream it on Hallmark Movies Now.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the exceptional on-screen chemistry between Viv Leacock and Natasha Burnett in Hallmark's "Legend of the Lost Locket." Their real-life connection and shared experiences have significantly influenced the development of their characters, Amelia and Marcus. The film's witty banter and cultural references, particularly concerning the differing terms for everyday items between British and American English, add a humorous and relatable element to the story.

Leacock and Burnett's collaboration on the concept for the movie showcases their creative partnership and their desire to bring their unique perspectives to the screen. The actors' genuine friendship and understanding of each other's speech patterns have resulted in an authentic and engaging portrayal of their characters. The film's success is a testament to the power of genuine connections and the ability to translate real-life dynamics into compelling on-screen chemistry.