Jesse Metcalfe returns to Hallmark with Absolutely Devoted to You

Jesse Metcalfe starred in the Hallmark movie Absolutely Devoted to You, which premiered on Saturday, August 8. The film marks Metcalfe’s return to the Hallmark Channel after a five-year hiatus following his role as Trace Riley in the series Chesapeake Shores, which aired from 2016 to 2021. His previous television work includes playing John Rowland on Desperate Housewives and starring in the film John Tucker Must Die. The release of Scheana Shay’s memoir My Good Side on July 22, 2025, has reignited public interest in Metcalfe’s past relationship with Shay and his current personal life, adding context to his renewed media presence.

Metcalfe’s return to Hallmark with new film

The Hallmark original film Absolutely Devoted to You, starring Jesse Metcalfe and Kimberley Sustad, opened on Saturday August 8. It marks Metcalfe’s return to the network five years after he left the series Chesapeake Shores where he played Trace Riley from 2016 to 2021. The premiere follows a two‑hour debut episode that launched the series on August 14 2016. Metcalfe, whose full name is Jesse Eden Metcalfe, is known for his work on Desperate Housewives and John Tucker Must Die. The film’s release is being reported by outlets including eonline.com and usmagazine.com.

Background on Metcalfe’s television history

Jesse Metcalfe is an American actor best known for playing John Rowland on Desperate Housewives. He also starred as Christopher Ewing in the TNT continuation of Dallas and appeared in the film John Tucker Must Die. From 2016 to 2021 he was a regular on the Hallmark series Chesapeake Shores, which premiered with a two‑hour episode on August 14, 2016 and ran through 2021. His return to the network is marked by the Hallmark movie Absolutely Devoted to You, co‑starring Kimberley Sustad and premiering on August 8.

Personal life and public statements

Scheana Shay, a former Vanderpump Rules cast member, dated Jesse Metcalfe in the early 2000s. In July 2025 she released the memoir My Good Side, which recounts her dating history but was not shared with Metcalfe before publication. Metcalfe said he had not read the memoir and only recently became aware of it. He also mentioned a girlfriend named Helene Immel, though that relationship has not been confirmed.

Scheana Shay, a former Vanderpump Rules cast member, dated Jesse Metcalfe in the early 2000s. In July 2025 she released the memoir My Good Side, which recounts her dating history but was not shared with Metcalfe before publication. Metcalfe said he had not read the memoir and only recently became aware of it. He also mentioned a girlfriend named Helene Immel, though that relationship has not been confirmed. According to reports, Metcalfe said his girlfriend Helene Immel was not bothered by Scheana Shay's revelations about their past relationship in her book. Metcalfe said he was not cast on The Vampire Diaries and was told his nice face was a factor, which upset him. He had been looking forward to the role. He was less than pleased with the outcome. He wanted to sink his teeth into the part. The casting.

Recent acting projects

Jesse Metcalfe returned to Hallmark with the August 8 premiere of Absolutely Devoted to You, a holiday-themed film co-starring Kimberley Sustad. The movie marks his first Hallmark project since exiting the network series Chesapeake Shores in 2021 after a five-year run. In 2022, Metcalfe appeared in the GAC Family original film Harmony From The Heart, written by Jessica Lowndes. The following year, he guest-starred as a police sergeant in a Law & Order episode. These roles underscore his ongoing presence across broadcast networks and cable original productions, reflecting a sustained career in scripted television beyond his earlier Hallmark prominence.

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