A Divorcée Finds a New Passion in 'All's Fair in Love & Mahjong'

Hallmark’s newest movie has gotten a lot of buzz—and not necessarily the buzz the network is used to. All’s Fair in Love and Mahjong is your standard Hallmark fare—a G-rated family rom-com with two good-looking leads falling in love over their shared interests and attraction. After seeing the title of this movie, you’d think the actors would all be Asian. Except they’re not. The network caught a lot of flak when it announced the film and its casting choices were described as “tone deaf” and “whitewashing.” But if you look at the heart of the story and the inspiration behind it, you’ll find it’s a love letter from a husband to his wife over the love of a game she holds dear.

Read on for more about All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong and don’t forget to check out the Parade exclusive sneak peek.

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What is All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong About?

All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong stars Fiona Gubelmann as Ronni, a beloved school nurse and devoted mom who hosts a longstanding mahjong game with her dear friends: Shelley (Lowe), Carly (Tamera Mowry-Housley) and Melissa (Melissa Peterman). When Ronni becomes an empty nester, her whole world tilts when her daughter leaves for college, her work hours are cut and her ex insists it’s time to sell the home she’s poured her heart into. But a chance moment at a school fundraiser reveals her unexpected gift for teaching mahjong—and sparks a connection with Ben (Paul Campbell), a charming contractor whose family needs a little healing of its own. As Ronni brings community after community together through the game she loves, she discovers that sometimes the hand you are dealt changes everything. With her future in the balance, Ronni must learn to bet on herself… and maybe on love, too.

Related: Hallmark Star Diagnosed With Cancer at 44: ‘I Promise to Persevere’

Is All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong based on a true story?

All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong is inspired by the life of Ronni Rice who’s married to Joel S. Rice, the producer of the film. Ronni Rice is an enthusiast of American Mahjong and is known as the Marvelous Mrs. Mahj. She teaches classes about the game through her website, Marvelous Mrs. Mahj and also serves as an executive producer. Her husband has produced a number of projects for Hallmark—including the Signed, Sealed, Delivered series.

Who’s in the Cast of All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong

‘All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong’ premieres Saturday, May 9 on Hallmark Channel.

Fiona Gubelmann as Ronni

Gubelmann previously had a recurring role as Dr. Morgan Reznick on ABC’s The Good Doctor. Her most recent credits include the Hallmark films A Royal Montana Christmas, Easter Under Wraps, and ‘Tis the Season to Be Irish. She has also guest starred on such popular series as Mad Men, New Girl and Castle.

Paul Campbell as Ben

Campbell—who previously starred in Battlestar Galactica—is also a familiar face on Hallmark Channel, starring in The Cases of Mystery Lane,Falling Together, and The Santa Stakeout. He has starred in multiple Hallmark movies with Kimberley Sustad—including A Godwink Christmas, Wedding Every Weekend and Christmas by Starlight. He is also a credited writer on Moriah’s Lighthouse (starring Rachel LeFevre and Luke Macfarlane), Christmas at Castle Hart (starring Lacey Chabert and StuartTownsend) and Christmas by Starlight.

Related: An Architect and an Artisan Work to Restore a Lighthouse in Hallmark Channel’s Moriah’s Lighthouse

Melissa Peterman and Tamera Mowry-Housley

Melissa Peterman as Melissa

Peterman is best known to fans as the sassy and effervescent Barbara Jean on Reba. Reba McEntire and Peterman also starred as siblings in The Hammer on Lifetime, where McEntire plays a traveling court judge doling out justice on her terms. The pair—who are close friends in real life—currently star in Happy’s Place on NBC. She is also a judge on Hallmark Channel’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas.

Related: I Had a Problem With Hallmark’s Mahjong Movie—Until I Understood This

Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe and Fiona Gubelmann

Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe as Shelley

Lowe is of Scottish-Chinese descent. She was first to participate in the Make Her Mark mentorship program. Created by actress AshleyWilliams, Make Her Mark mentors females who aspire to become directors. Lowe shadowed another female director on a Hallmark film and later got the chance to direct a Hallmark movie of her own. Her directorial debut was on the Hallmark movie, Shifting Gears, starring Katherine Barrell and Tyler Hynes. She has since directed the holiday movies This Time Each Year, Pie to Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery for Hallmark and Eat. Pray. Lie. for Lifetime.

Related: Get Your Motor Running! Katherine Barrell and Tyler Hynes Compete on Hallmark Channel’s ‘Shifting Gears’

Tamera Mowry-Housley as Carly

Mowry-Housley has starred in several Hallmark films, including Girlfriendship, Christmas Comes Twice and The Santa Stakeout. She previously starred in Scouting for Christmas for Hallmark Channel and currently stars in the Haunted Harmony movie series for Hallmark Mystery.

Related: Tamera Mowry-Housley Investigates a Chilling Ocean Murder in Hallmark’s ‘Haunted Harmony: Buried at C’

When Does All’s Fair in Love & MahjongPremiere on Hallmark Channel?

All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong premieres on Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m.ET on Hallmark Channel and is available to stream the next day on Hallmark+.

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