Exclusive: JoAnna Garcia Swisher Says Being an Executive Producer on 'Providence Falls' Was a 'Dream Come True'

JoAnna Garcia Swisher is thrilled to have gotten to executive produce Hallmark's project Providence Falls, a sweeping three-part movie event based on the beloved book series by New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux.

"It's been a dream come true. I read these books in 2021 when I was doing a Hallmark movie in Ireland. I was very much swept away with the romance and the story," the star, 45, exclusively tells Morning Honey. "I got an opportunity to chat with author Jude Deveraux and ask if she would be willing to allow me to bring these to life in a different way. With the help of Hallmark, here we are!"

The movie, which came out on August 2, stars Katie Stevens (The Bold Type), Lachlan Quarmby (NCIS: Sydney), and Evan Roderick (Spinning Out). Providence Falls follows Liam O’Conner (Quarmby), a rogue from 1844 Ireland, and Cora McLeod (Stevens), the headstrong daughter of an aristocrat. After tragedy thwarts their escape together, Liam is mysteriously transported to the present day, tasked with helping modern-day Cora, now a police officer, fall in love with the man she was meant to marry (Roderick). The twist? Only Liam remembers the love they once shared.

It was a treat for the red-headed beauty to get to "navigate" the "physical production" of the movie.

"We also partnered with Alexandre Coscas and Michael R. Goldstein, who helped bring these movies to life. It was an opportunity to learn and be given the space to bring my creative vision to life," she shares. "Also, hiring these amazing directors Lucie Guest and Siobhan Devine to help bring that side of it to life. We had all of these amazing actors, too, so being able to put the pieces together was fun and interesting."

"I have so much respect for all of the moving parts to make it happen. They're all so vital to the process. It was fun to see it through a different lens, and I loved being able to sit behind the monitor and watch our beautiful cast bring this to life. It was a great treat," she continues.

For the Sweet Magnolias star, she thought the whole process was "really rewarding and fulfilling."

"Hallmark trusted our vision. I took it very seriously, and I was grateful for it. So, to bring this to life in a way that I had hoped to bring it to life, I don't feel like we had compromised or had to nip and tuck at what our dream was. We did the books and story justice. We created something really special for this incredible, powerful fan base that Hallmark has built."

Since Swisher has been in front of the camera "for so long," she is hopeful that people enjoy the film. "I am a Hallmark fan. I love watching their movies, and I also really loved this story. I saw it in a special way, so to be able to support that vision has been a very unique experience. I'm really excited and want it to be the biggest thing in the world — and for everyone to love it, of course! I feel like we really stayed true to the essence of the book, and we didn't change a ton."

The mom-of-two also gushes about working with the "talented" actors. "Katie is a force, and I fell in love with her the moment we chatted. We bonded so much, and I just adore her. I adore Lachlan and Evan and our entire cast," she says. "We all went to Ireland together and had so much fun. We sang karaoke and pub crawled together. I was grateful they let me hang with the actors, even though I was just an old executive producer on this one! It was such a great experience."

Swisher also got to chat with the author. "I want to make sure they understand that I'm a creative at heart, and I know what it feels like to bring my art and put in the hands of somebody else. It takes a lot of trust, and I feel responsible for the material and always wanting to stay true to what brought me to the project or what made me want to bring it to life. There's so much you can't control in the development process because there are a lot of moving parts," she says.

Going forward, the Hollywood star is excited for what comes her way. "Our company [THP Entertainment] is chugging away. We have a handful of things in development across different genres that we're excited about. We're trying to make things that mean something to people — that's our goal," she says. "We've been able to get into business with some incredible authors and we're excited to develop more. This is just the beginning!"

Providence Falls is now out Hallmark Channel.