Cosgrove is also an executive producer on the film, which premieres Sept. 12 on Netflix
Miranda Cosgrove is in over her spurs in The Wrong Paris.
The actress, 32, stars in the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy as Dawn, a woman who “joins a dating show thinking it’s in Paris, France, but it’s actually in Paris, Texas,” according to a synopsis.
After realizing her mistake, Dawn “plots a way to get eliminated until her unexpected feelings for the bachelor (Pierson Fodé) complicate her plans,” the synopsis adds.
Cosgrove tells PEOPLE she hopes viewers “can feel the joy we were all feeling while making this movie and that it just brings them happiness.”
“I’m a huge rom-com lover, and one of the reasons I enjoy this genre so much is because of the aspect of escapism,” she adds. “I hope people have fun seeing all the crazy and ridiculous physical comedy, as well as the more heartfelt moments.”
Directed by Janeen Damian (Falling for Christmas, Irish Wish), The Wrong Paris also stars Madison Pettis, Madeleine Arthur, Frances Fisher, Yvonne Orji, Torrance Coombs and Hannah Stocking.
Cosgrove says her favorite part of making the movie “was getting to work with all the girls” — particularly Stocking, who she says “is one of my best friends.”
“Getting to stay at the same hotel in Vancouver and go out to eat and see movies every weekend is something I’ll never forget,” she says.
“Madison Pettis and Pierson Fodé stayed in the same building with us, and it was so great getting to know them and drive around Canada exploring together,” the iCarly alum continues. “Also I got to take welding classes and horseback-riding lessons and learn to lasso.”
“I had so many new, fun experiences and feel so lucky I got to be a part of it,” Cosgrove says.
Of its similarities to The Bachelor, Cosgrove, who is also an executive producer on The Wrong Paris, says she “definitely” watches a lot of reality TV in real life.
“When I was younger, one of my best friends used to have viewing parties when a new episode of The Bachelor would drop,” she says. “I think reality shows can really bring people together and be addictive to watch.”
And the School of Rock star’s “current favorites” include “Love on the Spectrum and the latest season of Love Island,” she says. “But for The Wrong Paris, I definitely drew the most inspiration from The Bachelor,” she adds.
Fodé, 33, says he could relate to his “homegrown country-kid” character, as he was “born and raised on my family farm in Washington State.” And in that sense, “Playing Trey felt like playing a version of myself … just with more cameras and fewer early-morning feedings.”
Of how the cast prepared when not filming, Fodé says they would “do movie nights” where they’d “cue up a different rom-com each time as inspiration.”
“We love a good Matthew McConaughey moment, and you might catch a subtle hat tip or two to his legacy throughout the film,” the actor adds. “With a dash of Fodé, of course.”
Director Damian praises the “chemistry” between Cosgrove and Fodé, telling PEOPLE that they just “clicked” and “the sparks were there” right away — something that’s “not always a given.”
“Miranda and Pierson knew exactly where they were emotionally in the story and delivered such a gorgeous, nuanced gut-punch of a performance,” she adds. “It was truly a joy to work with them.”
The Wrong Paris, written by Nicole Henrich, is on Netflix Sept. 12.
via People