Atlanta Screenwriter Topher Payne Gives ‘Gift To Remember’

Actors Ali Liebert and Peter Porte in the new Hallmark movie “A Gift to Remember.”

Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Daniel Power

Atlanta playwright Topher Payne is having a very Christmassy holiday season. In addition to taking over the role of Krumpet the Elf in Horizon Theatre’s production of “The Santaland Diaries,” his third movie for the Hallmark Channel premiered in mid-November. It’s called “A Gift to Remember.”

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Based on a novel by Melissa Hill, the story is about a young woman, Darcy (played by Ali Liebert) who literally runs into a handsome young man (Peter Porte) while on her bike. She knocks him out, sending him to the hospital to discover that he has temporarily lost his memory. While Darcy cares for his dog, she attempts to piece together his identity.

In doing so, Darcy begins to find her way outside of her comfort zone, becoming stronger and more confident than she thought possible.

Speaking with City Lights host Lois Reitzes, Payne says that executive producer Angela Mancuso made Darcy’s character development a priority.

“We discover the best versions of ourselves when caring for others,” Payne says. “And even above and beyond the romance, that’s the major story in ‘A Gift to Remember.’”

The movie is airing numerous times through the new year on the Hallmark Channel. The next broadcast is Thanksgiving night at 10 p.m.