An AMFM Magazine Exclusive Interview by Paul Salfen
“It’s about chosen family versus blood family — and when it’s okay to step away from people who aren’t good for you.” – Madison Lawler
In theaters May 1, 2026, the heartfelt family drama reunites audiences with characters first introduced in a 2020 limited series. Directed by Juan Pablo Arias Munoz and written by Munoz alongside Lauren Swickard, Sherell Jackson, and Alex Ranarivelo, the film stars Lou Diamond Phillips, John Pyper-Ferguson, Madison Lawler, Christina Moore, and a stellar ensemble cast. At its center is the story of a prodigal daughter who returns to the family farm amid crisis—an ailing father facing a terminal diagnosis and mounting pressure from ruthless competitors. Old wounds reopen as the family confronts what truly matters.
Madison Lawler, who originated the role of Hassey in the earlier series, brings depth, warmth, and lived-in authenticity to the character six years later. Fresh from the film’s premiere weekend, Lawler sat down with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen to discuss the joy of revisiting Hassey, the electric climax that brought two families together, and the deeply personal themes that make this project resonate far beyond the screen.
“It was extremely exciting and intriguing for me to bring back a character that I filmed six years ago,” Lawler says with evident enthusiasm. “I was so excited to get back in Hassey’s shoes and be with the same people… and see what the dynamic is and how things have changed.”
Working opposite Lou Diamond Phillips was another highlight. “He’s incredible. He’s the best,” she beams. The two share a natural chemistry that elevates the film’s emotional stakes, particularly in the large-scale climax where multiple families converge. “It’s always exciting when you have a big scene like that, with a lot of players and high stakes and high drama. That was really fun and exciting to film.”
For Lawler, acting wasn’t a career she chose so much as one that chose her. Raised in rural South Dakota, she spent her childhood lost in imagination on the family property. “I would just play all day by myself in my imagination, and it was my favorite thing to do,” she recalls. “And then when I found out other people could play all day in their imagination, I was like, ‘What do you mean? That’s a job?’” From kindergarten onward, she declared she would be an actor—and she never wavered.
That conviction carried her across the country at just 16 years old when she made the bold move to Los Angeles. “I think when I moved to Los Angeles was sort of my biggest Hail Mary,” Lawler reflects. “I was naive… it was a huge difference. I had a hard transition period, but my drive to L.A. was my Hail Mary. I’m like, ‘Let’s just try.’”
Success in Hollywood rarely comes without rejection, something Lawler is candid about when offering advice to aspiring performers. “There’s so much rejection. And when you care about something so much, I think it’s really hard when it feels outside of your control,” she says. Her guidance is refreshingly grounded: “Have a very rich life in other capacities as well… persevere, but to not let anyone else’s permission dictate your happiness or your life. And make your own stuff, too. Some of my favorite things I’ve done have been with my friends.”
She also emphasizes the importance of staying true to one’s inner compass amid the noise of comparison. “It’s easy to get trapped in this cycle of comparison… What’s really important is to not lose sight of your own sort of inner navigation system and knowing what you like.”
At its core, the film explores themes that feel especially timely. While the original series touched on other ideas, this feature-length story centers on family—both the one we’re born into and the one we choose. “The core theme of the film is about family at the end of the day,” Lawler explains. “Your chosen family versus your blood family and what that means to you… when it’s okay to step away from people you might be related to, but who aren’t good for you, and really cultivating a family of your own in your own way.”
Beyond this release, Lawler has been busy carving her own path as a multifaceted creator. She co-wrote and produced the darkly comedic Theater Is Dead, which has been making waves on the festival circuit, including a standout screening at Fantastic Fest. “It was such a blast,” she says, clearly energized by the project and eager for wider audiences to discover it.
As audiences head to theaters this May to experience the emotional journey of Hassey and her family, Madison Lawler’s performance promises to linger long after the credits roll—reminding us that sometimes the bravest act is coming home, and the most powerful one is choosing who gets to stay.
Catch the film in theaters starting May 1, 2026.
