A family drama dipped in southern charm and served with a saucy side of romance, Hallmark’s The Chicken Sisters is an eight-part original series based on the NY Times best-seller of the same name and Reese’s Book Club selection penned by KJ Dell’Antonia. Headlined by a stellar cast of women—Schuyler Fisk, Genevieve Angelson, Lea Thompson and Wendie Malick—the show is set in the fictional town of Merinac, where a generations-old rift between dueling fried chicken restaurants leaves the founders’ families fractured and the locals taking sides. (New episodes are available to stream every Thursday on Hallmark+.) We recently caught up with Fisk to talk about working with friends and the best beauty advice her mom, Sissy Spacek, has shared.
What was the best thing about working on The Chicken Sisters?
Well, first of all, it was such a gift to work on a show that is so smart and funny and well-written. From the start, I knew that I was in really good hands with our creative team, helmed by the brilliant Annie Mebane, which allowed me to relax and enjoy the collaboration. Speaking of collaboration, it was so much fun to work with Genevieve, Lea and Wendie. We worked intense, long days for an extended stretch of time. And we all bonded and developed a real trust and friendship. It sort of felt like we were all at summer camp together. I also loved getting time over the course of the season to really sink into Amanda and to explore different sides of her.
Do you have any beauty or glam secrets to share from on-set?
Our hair and makeup team on the show was amazing. The makeup trailer was always everyone’s favorite place to be. Cindy Barlow, our makeup department head, used a lot of products on me that I also use in real life. My ride or dies would have to be Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara ($26) for lashes that are full and gorgeous but also that stay put and never bleed! and Buxom’s Power-Full Plump Lip Balm in “Big-O” ($20) for the most perfect pinky lip stain. It goes on clear but somehow gives your lips exactly the color they need. I’ve never gotten more compliments on a lip color than this!
What are some of your all-time favorite beauty products?
I use, and love, Mad Hippie’s vitamin C serum ($34). On top of that, I use One-Skin’s OS-01 face lotion ($120). I love an oil cleanser and my favorite one is Living Libations Best Skin Ever ($32). For body, I love the Uni Body Serum ($43). The smell is sooooo good. I also have really become a fan of Dieux’s Forever Eye Mask ($25). They are reusable silicone eye patches that you use over your own eye cream. They work so well and I love that I can reuse them. I used them every morning filming the show. Also, I love Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Vanish Color Corrector ($32) in Fair. I used this on the show and in my real life when I’m especially tired. It is truly magic!
What is some of the best advice your mom ever gave you?
My mom has always told me to remember that “you meet the same people on the way up that you do on the way down.” Being kind to everyone is a big thing for her. Anytime she encounters someone extra gruff in life, her mission is to find something wonderful about them and to make sure they know she recognizes it. She usually becomes good pals with everyone on a set.
As far as skin care, the best advice she’s given me is to “always use sunscreen” and to “never forget your neck.” My mom also told me that I never have to feel pressured into wearing foundation—on camera or off. Both my mother’s skin and my own has a lot of freckles. Covering it up with anything too full-coverage makes us look so different and not like us. We both like to keep our beauty routine very simple, natural and light.
Are there any beauty traditions your mom passed down to you?
I clearly remember watching my mom do her nightly skin-care routine when I was a kid. She prioritized it. And she never, ever skipped washing and moisturizing her face. She has always taken great care of her skin.
We still share and talk about products all the time. We love products that are clean. She’s been a fan of the brand Mad Hippie for years now and got me hooked on their vitamin C serum. We love to try out different sunscreens. Currently, we both use and love Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen ($22).
You’ve been involved with a lot of different industries—music, acting and more—are there any other fields of work you’d love to get into?
I love the arts so much and the collaborative nature of it all. I love the idea of dipping my toe into the theater world in the future, especially musical theater. I’m also super interested in design and always have been. My dad is a production designer and artist and growing up I’d watch him create these worlds for films, and it’s always been so inspiring to me. Design is a passion of mine as well, and I especially love when form meets function. If you leave me unattended for too long in your home, you may return to find me rearranging your furniture or organizing your cabinets!
