Second Chance Love": Hallmark's New Unscripted Series Premieres January 1
Hallmark is venturing into unscripted television with the brand-new reality romance series,
Second Chance Love. The show aims to bring the magic of Hallmark's signature movie themes into the real world, helping former couples determine if a long-lost spark is still alive.
The series is set to premiere on Wednesday, January 1, 2026, exclusively on the streaming service Hallmark+.
The Premise: Rekindling Love in Sardinia
Second Chance Love is hosted by real-life celebrity couple Chilli (from the legendary girl group TLC) and Matthew Lawrence (Boy Meets World). The show takes five unique couples, who were once in love but drifted apart, to the stunning, romantic backdrop of Sardinia, Italy.
The couples will participate in romantic adventures and relationship-renewing activities over a two-week period. The goal is to confront unfinished business, revisit their pasts, and decide if they are meant to be together or to leave separately.
The Hosts: Chilli & Matthew Lawrence
This project marks Chilli and Matthew Lawrence's first professional collaboration as co-hosts and executive producers. The couple, who have been dating since 2022, found a deep connection based on shared values and mutual admiration, making them ideal guides for the participating couples.
"As executive producers and hosts, we can't wait to share the inspiration behind the pursuit of true love," Chilli said in a statement.
A New Direction for Hallmark+
This unscripted series represents a new kind of programming for Hallmark Media, traditionally known for its scripted romantic movies and dramas like When Calls the Heart.
David Stefanou, head of unscripted programming at Hallmark Media, highlighted the theme: "Studies show that nearly 80 percent of reunited first loves stay together for years, often for life. There's something undeniably powerful about a love that endures, even across time and distance".
Second Chance Love offers a fresh, reality-based take on the "second chance romance" trope that "Hearties" know and love.