While it is undeniable that the audience is enchanted with the actors who portray their favorite characters on the popular Hallmark Channel series, Chesapeake Shores, the geniuses behind-the-scenes are those who produce the show and draft the amazing episodes we enjoy each week. Michael Berns is the showrunner/head writer for the series, and his expertise and intuitive writing continue to captivate the fans on the screen each week. As our favorite O’Brien members are now back for a season four of Chesapeake Shores, it was my honor to yet again interview this dynamically talented man!
RH: What would you say the overall theme for Chesapeake Shores is this season?
MB: This season is all about love—defining it, finding it, losing it, and rediscovering it. All of the O’Briens this year have issues… and of course, Trace too. Let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be Chesapeake Shores if there isn’t something going between Trace and Abby.
You were given at least two unique challenges this season–a shortened season and two leading ladies who were pregnant. How did that affect the writing of the episodes this season?
Well, we didn’t know about the pregnancies when we started writing! Part of the issue of a short season is the difficulty in creating realistic episode arcs for our cast. There is always a temptation to do too much, so you work with what you can realistically achieve. Honestly, the writing didn’t change much when we discovered the pregnancies. I think we joked that the bungee jumping and skydiving scenes would have to be cut, but other than that, it was more of an issue for the camera and costume departments. Luckily, Meghan is an expert with concealment, completely aware of where the camera is and how to move.
I remember last year you did a great job of detailing the journey of each character. Let’s do something similar. If you were to give one piece of advice to each of the principal cast members, what would it be?
Wow, that’s a tough one. Let’s see…
Trace – It’s difficult to live life with two dreams. Oftentimes, it comes down to deciding which one you truly can’t live without.
Abby – You can’t wait forever to start your life. At some point, you have to make a decision and run with it.
Mick – No matter how old you get, you’re always young enough to learn.
Megan – Life is about second, third and fourth chances if you’re honest with yourself and others about how you feel.
Bree – No matter how clever you are, you can’t force a square peg into a round hole. When something fits, you’ll know.
Kevin – While you spend your life taking care of others, don’t forget to take care of yourself.
Jess – You are smarter, more talented, and more wonderful than you can possibly imagine. Never feel that you are second best.
Connor – Relax, you’ll be fine. You’re not going crazy, you’re just growing up.
Do you have a favorite episode this season? If so, please tell us which episode and why (without spoiling it)?
I never really have favorite episodes, but I do have favorite scenes. There’s been a few in episode one and two, and there’s definitely more coming. Bree and Simon in Episode 4003, Mick and Megan in 4003, Jess and David in 4004 and 4006, Nell in 4006… I just hope everyone enjoys the season.
Any special memories and/or fun moments from filming this season that you would like to share?
While there are some very fun days and crazy moments, honestly my favorite times on the show have been the quiet ones, simple conversations during the day—getting to know new friends and catching up with old ones. It’s a blessing to be able to work with so many talented writers, producers, actors, crew and the amazing executives at Hallmark.
The major thing for Chesapeake Shores is that we would like for the show to be renewed. How can fans help to ensure that will happen?
Simple, watch the show, and if you can tweet with us on Sunday nights, do that too! I honestly have no idea how people do both, but I’m massively impressed. Because I’ve seen every frame of the episode a hundred times (I’m up in Canada after we finish shooting, sitting with the editors), I pretty much know where we are in the show without seeing it, but I love getting together with everyone on Sunday night! It’s like we all pitched in for a MASSIVE television (and an even larger couch) to watch it as a family.
Which character do you most identify with this season and why?
Emilie Ullerup Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs
I’m not sure. I think what happens with Bree is most identifiable, not with my life now, but when I was younger and single. Relationships are hard, and universally, there is no easy way to know if someone is “the one.” Sometimes people go their whole life wondering if they picked correctly. While Jess and David are truly perfect for one another, it’s more typical to find the “almost” right person. It’s living through that gray area that makes love hard.
If the show is renewed, what are some of your hopes for season five?
Now that is a really tough question. Not wanting to put the cart before the horse, I’ll stay quiet on that one.
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
Yes, other works, but I can’t mention them. LOL.
While I know that a Christmas movie for Chesapeake Shores seems to be out of the question, I think having some kind of holiday movie would be fantastic for the show. When Calls the Heart has Christmas. Good Witch has Halloween. If you could make a holiday movie for any other holiday with Chesapeake Shores, what holiday would you choose and why that holiday?
Wow, there’s so many from which to choose! Groundhog Day could be fun, with Jess and David purposely reliving the same day over and over again, but it all takes place over one real day which just drives everyone crazy. Then there’s National Chocolate Day (October 28th), when the town of Chesapeake Shores inexplicably runs out of chocolate, with the big reveal at the end when we discover that Nell has created the world’s largest S’more for a town celebration (and everyone gets a bite but Mayor Frank). Then there’s also National Send a Card to a Friend Day (February 7), where the entire O’Brien family sends one another Hallmark Greeting Cards only to discover that they’re a television show on Hallmark and they meet the crew for the first time.
Honestly, I’ll leave it Dan {Paulson}, Sherryl Woods, and the great people at Hallmark to figure that one out.
We know how hard you work for the show. How do you keep yourself grounded without becoming a workaholic and losing connection with your family and friends?
I honestly couldn’t do any of this without the support of my family and my amazing wife. Truthfully, being gone for four months every year (and then jumping back and forth to Vancouver for another two months) isn’t easy on any of us. Sadly, running a show makes you a workaholic whether you want to become one or not (I usually average 110-130 hours a week when we’re in production), but we all love the show, and we love one another so we make it work.
While I consistently relish my conversations with every person who is willing to chat with me about their work in film and television, Michael is one of those extraordinary people who perpetually provides the kind of depth and insight that appeals to my intellect as well as my artistic and emotional sensibilities. I can always count on him for a quick-witted response, a thought-provoking commentary, and a genuine reflection on the heart and soul embedded within the show itself. In addition to this, he is always modest and regularly deflects the attention to his co-workers, while still recognizing the amount of time and dedication that he must invest within the production of this show. He is never a writer nor an executive producer in name only; he immerses his entire being within the very fabric of the show. There is no doubt that in spite of any difficulties that may arise or how tired he may be on any given day, he keeps going because of his passionate commitment to formulating the sort of show that families can experience together.
If you have not yet looked up Chesapeake Shores season four on the Hallmark Channel or Super Channel Heart & Home, I would suggest you do so very soon since only four more episodes of the season remain. Moreover, while we await Sunday’s (September 8th) new episode, please visit all of Michael’s links below and consider following him where applicable. He regularly interacts with the cast during the airing of the shows, and he willingly answers any viewer questions he can. He is the authentic representation of what the Hallmark Network represents–the heart of TV–and I can only hope and pray that we will see his prowess on-screen for many more years to come!
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CHECK OUT MY PAST INTERVIEWS WITH MICHAEL
Interview With Executive Producer/Show Runner Michael Berns, “Chesapeake Shores”
Interview With Executive Producer/Showrunner Michael Berns, “Chesapeake Shores”
