The small Kansas town of Merinac is still divided by its crispy, golden fault line: Mimi’s vs. Frannie’s. Amanda Moore-Hillier (Schuyler Fisk) and Mae Moore (Genevieve Angelson) hoped their truce would end generations of fried chicken rivalry, but old wounds run deep. With Nancy Hillier (Lea Thompson) guarding Mimi’s legacy like a secret recipe and Gus Moore (Wendie Malick) refusing to yield Frannie’s claim to “best in Kansas,” the sisters find their fragile peace crumbling. Loyalties fracture, town gossip boils over, and even Pastor McGregor (Matthew James Dowden) can’t preach unity over platters.
This season, Amanda and Mae face their toughest challenge yet: a high-stakes “Taste of Kansas” festival that forces the families into a reluctant collaboration. As new secrets surface and a charming food critic (Andrew J. Hampton) stirs the pot, the sisters must dig deeper than ever to heal their family rift. Can they blend tradition with innovation, honor their mothers’ legacies, and finally unite Merinac through its shared love of comfort food? Get ready for more laughter, tears, and mouth-watering drama – premiering August 10, only on Hallmark!
The Chicken Sisters Season 2 cast and roles
1- Schuyler Fisk as Amanda Moore-Hillier
Schuyler Fisk (daughter of Sissy Spacek) returns with grounded warmth as Amanda, the earnest Mimi’s heiress torn between family loyalty and modernizing traditions. Fisk masterfully balances Amanda’s optimism with quiet resilience, especially as she navigates tension with her mother-in-law Nancy (Lea Thompson) and her own evolving dreams for Mimi’s. Her chemistry with Angelson remains the show’s emotional core.
Season 2 pushes Amanda beyond her comfort zone. Fisk shines as Amanda confronts hard truths about the restaurant’s future, clashes with Gus (Wendie Malick), and fights to prove collaboration beats competition – all while keeping her marriage to Patrick (Andrew J. Hampton) strong amidst the chaos.
2- Genevieve Angelson as Mae Moore
Genevieve Angelson (“Good Girls Revolt,” “Living Biblically”) brings fiery charisma and vulnerability back to Mae, the Frannie’s scion determined to prove her modern flair honors her roots. Angelson captures Mae’s sharp wit, impulsive passion, and deep-seated need for Gus’s approval. Her journey from black sheep to innovator continues to resonate.
This season, Angelson explores Mae’s growth as she grapples with the pressures of leadership. Expect sparks as Mae battles Mimi’s traditionalists, clashes with Nancy’s skepticism, and discovers surprising common ground with Amanda. Angelson ensures Mae’s heart remains as big as her ambitions.
3- Lea Thompson as Nancy Hillier
Iconic actress Lea Thompson (“Back to the Future,” “Switched at Birth”) returns as the formidable Nancy Hillier, Mimi’s fiercely protective matriarch. Thompson layers Nancy with steely determination masking deep love for her family and legacy. Her wary truce with the Moores is perpetually one wrong spice blend away from shattering.
Thompson delivers powerhouse moments as Nancy faces her greatest fears: Mimi’s relevance fading and losing control. Her evolving dynamic with Gus (Malick) – a blend of grudging respect and delicious rivalry – provides season-high comedic and emotional stakes, revealing hidden depths beneath her crisp exterior.
4- Wendie Malick as Augusta “Gus” Moore
Emmy-nominated Wendie Malick (“Just Shoot Me!,” “Hot in Cleveland”) steals scenes as Gus, the sharp-tongued, fiercely independent queen of Frannie’s. Malick’s impeccable comedic timing and dramatic chops make Gus a force – whether she’s delivering a withering stare or a rare moment of maternal softness towards Mae.
Malick explores Gus’s vulnerabilities in Season 2. Facing health scares and the threat of change, Gus must confront whether her stubborn ways are protecting Frannie’s or stifling its future. Her reluctant journey towards collaboration, especially with Nancy, is both hilarious and deeply moving.
5- Andrew J. Hampton as Patrick
Andrew J. Hampton returns as Patrick, Amanda’s supportive husband and voice of reason. Hampton brings steady warmth and relatable humor to the role, portraying Patrick’s struggle to balance being Nancy’s son, Amanda’s partner, and Mimi’s biggest fan amidst the family feud.
Season 2 gives Patrick more agency. Hampton showcases Patrick stepping up as a mediator, supporting Amanda’s vision for Mimi’s, and navigating tricky dynamics with the Moores, proving he’s more than just the peacekeeper – he’s the family’s rock.
6- Matthew James Dowden as Pastor McGregor
Matthew James Dowden (“When Calls the Heart,” “Virgin River”) provides heart and gentle humor as Pastor McGregor, Merinac’s well-meaning spiritual leader caught in the crossfire. Dowden portrays the Pastor’s earnest attempts to heal the town divide with endearing optimism.
Dowden gets funnier and more central this season. As the “Taste of Kansas” festival organizer, the Pastor becomes the unlikely glue holding the collaboration together, delivering both comedic mishaps and sincere moments of wisdom that remind everyone what truly matters.
