Former “The Young and the Restless” star Hunter King continues her successful career with Hallmark Channel. After departing from the soap opera world in 2022, King has taken on a multi-movie deal with Hallmark, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Her latest film, “Two Scoops of Italy,” showcases King as an American chef who embarks on a culinary adventure in a picturesque Italian village, discovering love and the local culture.
King’s career has been soaring. Since joining Hallmark, she has starred in five movies, with two more on the way this year. Her role in “Two Scoops of Italy,” opposite Mikey Rosello, has her character, Danielle Turner, falling in love with the flavors and the people of Italy. King took cooking classes and binge-watched food shows to prepare for her role, adding authenticity to her performance.
In addition to her acting endeavors, King is branching out into directing, writing, and producing. She and her boyfriend, Chris Copeland, have written a Hallmark-style script set in Italy, inspired by their time spent scouting locations and soaking in the culture. They are finalizing their pitch and plan to present it to Hallmark soon.
King’s next major project is a Hallmark Christmas movie titled “Holiday Touchdown: A Chief’s Love Story,” set to premiere as part of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas lineup. The film, featuring Kansas City Chiefs’ home field, Arrowhead Stadium, stars King as Lana Higman, a passionate Chiefs fan who falls in love with the team’s director of fan engagement, played by Tyler Hynes. This unique collaboration between Hallmark and the NFL promises a heartwarming tale blending the excitement of professional football with the festive spirit of Christmas.
Meanwhile, Gina Tognoni, who played King’s on-screen mother in “The Young and the Restless,” has also embarked on an exciting new project. Tognoni, known for her roles on “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light,” has launched a new podcast, “God Winks with Gina + Ashley.” Co-hosted with her friend Ashley Crane, the podcast features stories of divine intervention and inspirational experiences. Their first guest, Shannon Ly, shares her journey of discovering faith and navigating life’s challenges.
Tognoni’s podcast aims to provide a space of transparency and encouragement, sharing real-life stories of hope and inspiration. Additionally, Tognoni recently reunited with “Guiding Light” alum Elizabeth Kiefer for an Instagram live event, where they discussed their respective new podcasts and reminisced about their time on the show.
Hunter King and Gina Tognoni’s latest ventures showcase their versatility and passion for their craft. As they continue to explore new opportunities, fans can look forward to more heartwarming and inspiring content from this dynamic duo.
