Last year, in anticipation of the season two premiere of the popular Hallmark show Chesapeake Shores, I had the honor of interviewing the then-new showrunner, Michael Berns. I was so impressed with the show and his leadership last year that I made the decision to reach out again this year as a follow-up and a way of promoting season three of what is my favorite show on the network. Michael was gracious enough to take some time to talk about the show and its direction for season three, and I’m thrilled to share his thoughts with the Chessies.

RH: First of all, Chessies are so glad to see Chesapeake Shores back for its third season! Since this was your second year with the show, what was it like returning as opposed to jumping in the first time? Is the writing crew the same this year, or have there been some changes?

MB: The best part of coming back is that the cast and crew of Chesapeake Shores are all so close, it feels like a huge family. Because the show changed last year with my arrival, it was obviously easier for the cast and crew to better understand where we were going. Since the writing staff mostly stayed in place, we were able to do larger, more ambitious story arcs this season.

Without going into great detail, what can we expect from the principal cast? 

Trace Riley: A huge decision looms, with Trace learning you can’t have it all.

Abby O’Brien: Sometimes personal dreams take a backseat

to family responsibility.

Megan O’Brien: The past never disappears and never goes away.

                                                     Nell O’Brien: Never cross paths with Nell.

Mick O’Brien: Redemption comes in many forms.

                   Jess O’Brien: You can’t grow up in a straight line.

Life is full of curves.

Bree O’Brien: Words can heal, words can hurt,

and sometimes both at the same time.

                   Kevin O’Brien: You have to know what you

want in order to get it.

Connor O’Brien: Our gifts can be our downfall.

Is there an episode that is your personal favorite this season? If so, can you tell us which one and why without giving anything away?

Photo: Brendan Penny, Laci J Mailey, Emilie Ullerup Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Farah Nosh

It’s possible that Episode four might be a favorite, but it’s hard to really pick just one. Honestly, my favorite is usually whatever episode I’m working on at the time. Why Episode four? There’s a scene with Bree and Jess that made one of my daughter’s cry.

As Chesapeake Shores now has such a massive cast, what are the challenges when it comes to writing for this size cast?

Honestly, the biggest challenge is to give every actor something worth doing in every episode. We have such a talented cast (yes, a talented, large cast), and it’s our goal every week to come up with stories that are truly special and challenging.

Are there any special guest stars that you got to write for this year that you are allowed to mention?

Photo: Gregory Harrison, Teryl Rothery Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Farah Nosh

I’m not sure if I’m allowed to mention her, {It has been announced and promoted thankfully!} but I was able to write for Teryl Rothery which was a delight. Obviously, it’s always a thrill to write for Gregory Harrison.

What do you believe is so special and unique about the Chesapeake Shores cast? Why has this show not only become popular, but maintained its popularity amongst viewers?

It is very rare in television to have a cast that can perform both comedy and drama, and it’s always a joy to be surprised to see what they do with your words. The cast works so hard to bring this show to life; it’s really a privilege to write for them. As to the longevity of the show, I’d attribute it to Sherryl Wood’s brilliant characters, a stellar cast and crew, and really wonderful fans (myself included) who identify with the O’Briens.

Please tell us how you and the writers went about writing this season. In other words, how long did it take you to write, what did you do once production started, and what are your responsibilities now?

Before the writers were assembled, Dan Paulson and I had a long meeting with Bill Abbot, Michelle Vicary, Randy Pope and Laurie Fernau at the Hallmark Channel in January. I pitched them all ten episodes and most of the storylines that you’ll see this year. As you can guess, it was a very long meeting, and for the most part, what you see this year was all discussed in January. As for the other writers, we began meeting in late February and early March, where we would flesh out the individual stories, and if it was their episode, a writer would scribe the first draft of the script. I was fortunate to once again have Kirsten Hansen helping out, and we even collaborated on episode nine, writing it together.

At some point in the process, I would take over and rewrite all the scripts, doing all the final notes myself. In the industry, they call it being the last typewriter. Ultimately, I’m responsible for the final draft of every script.

With Dan Paulson

When production starts, my life becomes even more complicated. I’m not only writing and rewriting; I’m involved in all aspects of production and post-production. Over the four months we’re in production, between all my different jobs, I’m usually working between 125-135 hours a week. Yes, it’s a bit crazy.

Now, with production over, I’m giving notes on editing, sound, music, and overseeing the final product. It’s still a full-time job, but a normal full-time job.

As an executive producer, you also have responsibilities that are more than just writing. What are/were your responsibilities once shooting had wrapped, now as the network prepares to air the episodes, and as each episode airs?

As I mentioned, I’m mostly doing post-production. In fact, I’m writing this now from Vancouver where we are working on episodes nine and ten.

If there is a fourth season, what would be your hopes/dreams for the show?

I certainly hope there is a fourth season, but right now, my primary goal is to spend time with my family and not with the O’Briens.

In addition to Chesapeake Shores, do you have any other upcoming works you can mention?

I have a few things that I’m working on, but right now, Chesapeake Shores is still my full-time job

With Barbara Niven and Dan Paulson January TCA’s

I believe you recently attended the TCA party for Hallmark in California. What did you enjoy most about that night?

It’s really wonderful seeing all the Hallmark stars in one place and observing how well everyone gets along. It’s really a very large, very loud family. Since Chesapeake Shores has such a huge cast, we seem to always be a large part of the evening.

Many fans are requesting a holiday movie for Chesapeake Shores–Thanksgiving or Christmas or something like that. What is the best way to push for this to happen?

Write to Hallmark and let them know how you feel. I’d love to see a Chesapeake Shores holiday movie!

I realize that everyone involved with television, regardless of their position, works vigorously to ensure the success of each show and film that airs because after all, that’s the goal of everyone in the entertainment business. But in my opinion, Michael is a superlative professional who goes considerably beyond the call of duty. The very nature of his outlook and the driving force that motivates him is what the network for which he is employed is all about; Michael works from his heart. He doesn’t view his work clinically as a job that he does merely to make a living and regale the fans…of course, that is an essential element. Without network revenue and popularity amongst the fans, Chesapeake Shores would not exist. But Michael aspires to a higher standard and strives to immerse himself entirely in every aspect of the show because he genuinely desires that everyone connected with the show from the crew to the cast to the executives to the fans are able to be authentically engaged and connect with the show on a profound level. It’s not enough for this show to simply tell a good story; Michael yearns to make a connection on a sincere emotional level that reminds us of what is important in this world–family, relationships, and above all, love. While there might be those in Hollywood who labor more strenuously than Michael, I venture to say that there is no one who invests himself more thoroughly in a production. His enthusiasm, passion, and his very essence work in tandem with everyone else involved with the show to guarantee that something is produced that has an abiding influence for the welfare of all in this fragile and sometimes unmerciful world of ours.

I hope that everyone tunes in to the Hallmark Channel in the U.S. (or the Super Channel Heart & Home in Canada) to watch the season three premiere of Chesapeake Shores and every subsequent episode this season beginning today (August 5th). Additionally, please consider visiting all of Michael’s links below and following him on social media (he is easily the most fan-friendly showrunner I have ever seen!).  I am overwhelmingly grateful both to the Hallmark network as well as Michael, Dan, and everyone associated with Chesapeake Shores for a show that is one of the most authentic, expertly-written, and absolutely delightful family-friendly shows ever!

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