Hallmark Star Vulnerably Shares Why Filming Her Latest Rom-Com Was So ‘Humbling’

As Eloise Mumford portrayed an American in Rome who often felt like a fish out of water in “Villa Amore” — her Hallmark Channel rom-com with Kevin McGarry that premiered on June 21, 2025 — she could easily relate to her character.

The day after her movie’s premiere, on June 23, Mumford admitted in a poignant social media post that while she adored the experience of filming in Rome, she also found it extremely “humbling,” noting that it served as a powerful reminder of how hard it must be for others visiting or living in a new land and navigating a new language.

Mumford wrote, “over 5 weeks, i was often the the only person in a room who didn’t speak the language and couldn’t communicate. the generosity and patience i was shown by strangers in the hardest of moments was something i will carry with me always.”

Eloise Mumford Says She’ll Always Remember the ‘Kindness’ of the People in Rome

In “Villa Amore,” Mumford plays a woman who — on a whim — purchases the Italian villa where her parents met, only to discover she desperately needs the help of a local lawyer-turned-handyman to renovate the fixer-upper.

In her post, Mumford shared that filming in Rome “was humbling and beautiful and the greatest reminder of what it feels like to be in that position. i will pass the kindness i was given forward whenever i am on the other side of the table: may we all show such grace to those who need it.”

Mumford added, “and to those strangers who quickly became friends as we made a movie together: grazie mille, allora, prego, pronti. thank you for the endless google translate moments, the endless espressos, and the endless love you poured into this. takes a village, and I’m so grateful i got to join yours ♥️”

Always the jokester, McGarry added a bit of levity by commenting, “Wait – you told me you didn’t speak English! That’s why you didn’t talk to me right?”

Tons of fans commented on Mumford’s post, which featured some of her candid photos from Italy. May gushed that they loved the movie, they’re already hoping for a sequel — which just might happen.

The movie was the first produced by Joanna Garcia Swisher’s new production company, which is also behind Hallmark’s forthcoming miniseries “Providence Falls.” On one of Mumford’s posts, Swisher commented, “I vote for a part 2…and this time im coming!”

Eloise Mumford Says Filming in Rome Was an ‘Absolute Dream’

Mumford shared many behind-the-scenes photos and videos in several posts leading up to the premiere of “Villa Amore,” which is now available to stream on Hallmark+.

In a blog interview about the movie, Mumford told Swisher’s lifestyle company The Happy Place that she’d been to Rome once before as a teen, and that returning was an “absolute dream.”

“One of the best things about being an actor is getting to pretend you’re a local while filming, and getting to do that in Rome was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said.

The “Sweeter Than Chocolate” star told the blog she also visited “lots of vintage stores and cafes” and had location tips from other travelers “pre-saved on a map” with “a reminder to myself that smiling and kindness crosses any language barrier.”