The Hallmark Channel’s annual Fall into Love movies are underway, and they often make you feel like you’re experiencing the autumn colors and fall festivals with them.

Falling Into Place is no different, premiering Saturday, September 12, and stars Alvina August and Nathan Witte as childhood best friends Kaia and James.

Kaia returns home for the annual fall festival and their high school reunion, and reconnects with James.

(Courtesy of Hallmark)

As they finish the final items on their fall bucket list, something changes in the air. This film included so much cozy autumn nostalgia between homemade doughnuts, hayrides, and a fall formal that I wished I was there, too.

I recently chatted with Alvina August and Nathan Witte about how they formed Kaia and James’ connection, the fall bucket list, and what was on their own lists.

Check out the interview below.

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With Falling Into Place, the audience has to instantly believe that Kaia and James have known each other forever. How did the two of you work together to establish that effortless connection beforehand?

Alvina August: We were lucky to get to meet up. One of the producers brought us together with Angie Nolan, a first-time director. She came outta the Make a Mock program.

So we all sat down, fleshed out some of these ideas, and brought stuff to the table that we could sink our teeth into. It was great that we could do that because you rarely get to. Sometimes you’re just thrown into it, and you sink or swim and figure it out.

(Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Muse Entertainment)

But there was a lot of time and space to let the project breathe and flesh out this history, which was necessary for these two characters, meeting Nathan and just having time between sets to talk and to hash it out and get to know one another.

So that was really helpful. We were very lucky with how it was set up. We had the right foundation to create that dynamic.

Is there anything you’d like to add, Nathan?

Nathan Witte: Alvina nailed it. What was fantastic was that it was collaborative right from the jump. It wasn’t just, “Here’s the movie, and this is what we’re doing.” This is what we want you to do, which can be, in some cases.

But Angie Nornan and her team considered our input, asking how they could make it better and whether anything was missing. When we can come in with that kind of energy, it just feels like we’re all trying to make this thing as beautiful as possible.

Indeed. Best friends to lovers is a popular trope, but there’s always a fear of ruining that longtime friendship. How did you each want to portray that underlying hesitation or risk in your characters?

(Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Muse Entertainment)

Nathan Witte: I guess for me, with my approach to my acting, I try to live a fun and fulfilling life and have a lot of experiences. I get to draw on some of those experiences to help me within my process.

I like to take risks in life. I know what that line is, and whether we want to cross it or not, and the repercussions of crossing whatever line that is, whether it’s a relationship or, um, leaving a job and going to another one.

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Those types of risks are life-changing, and they are, uh, taxing on the mind because any choice we make is the right choice ultimately, but without great risk, there’s no great reward. So I definitely wanted to convey that through James.

Alvina August: Since Kaia is a business analyst, she has this motto: one step at a time, the next right step. It can be overwhelming and make you feel trepidation when you see too big a picture.

So I think for her, it was about what’s the next thing I can do that I have control of in this moment right now, as opposed to getting lost in how things might be ruined if they cross that line.

(Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Muse Entertainment)

It’s easier said than done. There’s a lot to lose, but there’s also so much to gain, so I think having faith that things will make themselves known in time helps.

It’s important to have the faith that ultimately she wouldn’t lose him regardless of what she thought she’d be losing: the friendship she thought she would lose. She could gain so much more by taking that step and being brave, honest, and authentic with herself.

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Absolutely. And Falling into Place leans heavily into the classic cozy Autumn feels. How much do you think that small-town feel enhances this film?

Nathan Witte: I think it enhanced it quite well. It plays a huge role. I think the small town is a character of its own, and the bucket list is one too. Everything on the bucket list has to do with the small town where we grew up, and the nostalgia that comes with it.

To complete this fall bucket list, we need our community’s help. I definitely think the small-town vibe will come through in this film.

Speaking of that, which was your favorite bucket list item to complete?

(Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Muse Entertainment)

Alvina August: For me, it was getting Mr. Winters to smile. That was one of those things where we were trying so many different things, and it just wasn’t working. And generally,

I feel like I’m a gregarious person, and I enjoy walking into a room, changing the energy, and saying, “Oh, this is a little too down,” and “Let’s pick it up.” That was an interesting personal challenge for me, and it was really fun.

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Nathan Witte: I would say the same. There were more opportunities to make him smile. That was a really fun trope throughout the movie.

If you two were creating a real-life Autumn bucket list, what would be one must-do activity you would put on it?

Alvina August: Skydiving,  I don’t know. Oh, it’s always been there, but maybe it’s one of those things I’ll do when I’m like 70 or something. But it’s definitely on the list,

(Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Muse Entertainment)

Nathan Witte: My fall bucket list always includes either baking or buying a pumpkin pie. There’s always something about pumpkin pie that makes me think of Fall. They always have it at that time. It needs lots of whipped cream.

Speaking of food for the last question, what should viewers have on the snack menu for this movie?

Nathan Witte: I think a pumpkin spiced latte would be nice with the film.

Alvina August: With a side of doughnuts, but they must be freshly baked and right out of the oven.

I can tell you both like Fall. I like this menu.

Nathan Witte: They could add some cinnamon and sugar to their popcorn to get it a Fall vibe.

(Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Muse Entertainment)

Falling into Place premieres Saturday, September 12 at 8/7c on the Hallmark Channel and streams the next day on Hallmark +.

Interviews like this take time and care — and we hope it shows.
If you liked hearing from me, please comment or share the article. That’s how we keep conversations like this going.

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