Jen Lilley and Dan Jeannotte Reunite For A Royal Setting and Reveal Their Funniest On-Set Stories

In Hallmark Channel’s A Royal Setting, world-renowned gemologist Ruby is hired by Prince Luca to restore the crown jewels and design his crown, sparking a romance that challenges royal traditions. Speaking with Pop Culture Planet’s Kristen Maldonado, Jen Lilley and Dan Jeannotte opened up about their on-set chemistry, their love of comedy, and why this project felt so special.

Self-proclaimed “science nerd” Lilley has a blast diving into the world of gems. “I had the honor of working with a local gemologist and jeweler. That was super duper fun for me. I'm a big science nerd,” she told me. “We had the best time learning all about gems and how to use the tools and all that kind of stuff.”

When it came to building their connection, they had a leg up after previously starring in 2019’s Paris, Wine & Romance together. “As far as building our chemistry goes, we didn't have to. It was already there,” shared Jeannotte.

“You don't have to start back at the surface. You can just keep digging deeper,” Lilley added. “I thought that Dan and I immediately were able to start from the depth we'd already established and then find a lot more layers this time around. So I was really grateful for that.”

“It was fantastic to get to work together again. I was so excited when I found out it was going to be you, Jen, because we had a lot of fun together six, seven years ago,” Jeannotte said with a laugh as Lilley mimed the viral 67 hand gesture. “This time we just got to hit the ground running. From the first day we were having fun together. We trusted each other on set.”

“I'll say this, the lead on a movie like this, their attitude and their energy trickles down. It infuses the whole production. So anybody would be really, really lucky to get to work with Jen as a number one on something because it's not just her on screen bringing wonderful charm and warmth,” he continued. “It's also through the whole production. She's a great person and a great leader on set, so the whole the whole production all the crew is feeling kind of lifted up by her her energy and so it makes it a wonderful place to work.”

“That's very sweet. I'll send your paycheck,” joked Lilley.

Jeannotte also got to tap into his accent work for the role. “I've done it a lot. It comes easily enough to me now. I still need to practice my lines with the accent, but I've been lucky enough now to get to play British characters or vaguely European royal characters with British accents,” he explained. “It just lets me feel like I'm a different character to start with, which is nice.”

Both actors agree that the best part of filming together was the laughs. “[I loved] both meet cutes, but I loved the one in the castle,” said Lilley. “When I had barge in on Finella and Queen Ivy and you talking and then it's just the most awkward fish out of water [moment].”

“You realize who I am and you're doing all of these ridiculous curtseys. That's a great scene. You'll see, Jen, when you watch that now,” Jeannotte added. “There's a bit in there where I think you were cracking up.”

“Whoever's take it wasn't, the other person was definitely cracking up,” laughed Lilley. “When Dan cracks it really tickles me.”

“We might have been setting each other off in that bit,” agreed Jeannotte. “On this movie, we had a lot of fun with that comedic stuff, but also it's always lovely to work on the more emotional stuff because we know now we can be kind of open or vulnerable with each other.”

The duo also recalled a hilarious moment on set when someone working in the hotel didn’t realize they were filming. “This woman comes out pushing a trolley. Clink, clink, clink, clink, clink,” Jeannotte said, laughing as he reenacted the moment. “We’re just trying to keep a straight face and keep filming and not lose it. She does it for like 30 seconds before she looks up and she’s like, ‘Oh, oh!’ and turns around… clink, clink, clink, clink… and goes back again.”

Watch A Royal Setting tonight on Hallmark Channel to see real friendship and unscripted laughter shine through.