It’s been 25 years since actress and singer Holly Robinson Peete and her husband, former NFL player Rodney Peete, launched the HollyRod Foundation. In a star-studded Los Angeles evening, the Robinson Peete family celebrated the anniversary with friends and fellow advocates.
“All family business mode activated,” Robinson Peete wrote in an Instagram post the day of the event. “@hollyrodfdn is 25!!…Still processing EVERYTHING. It’s gonna take me a minute…The love.The sacrifice. The energy.The PHILANTHROPY….#fundraiser #autism #parkinsonsdisease #legacy #givingback”
The HollyRod Foundation
The Peetes founded their advocacy group in 1997, shortly after Holly’s father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. When their son was diagnosed with autism a few years later, they broadened the focus of the organization to include programs for people with autism and their families.
The HollyRod Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources to families that have a loved one who has received an autism or Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis. According to the organization’s website, “We advocate for ethical treatment, inclusion and access to services and treatment of individuals living with autism or Parkinson’s Disease with the goal of empowering them to live their best lives.”
During their annual DesignCare gala, they honored Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe in an evening that featured the designs of Sergio Hudson.
The Peete family
Holly Robinson Peete made her first appearance on television at the age of 6, when she shared the screen with her father, Michael Robinson, the original Gordon on Sesame Street. She went on to star in shows such as 21 Jump Street and Hangin With Mr. Cooper.
In 1995, she married NFL quarterback Rodney Peete. The couple welcomed twins in 1997, daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete and son Rodney Peete Jr. Their son Robinson Peete was born in 2022. Roman Peete arrived in 2005.
Reflections
In a recent interview with PopSugar, Robinson Peete recalled the first time she noticed that her son, RJ, was exhibiting atypical behavior.
“I started noticing that RJ, my son, was not playing alongside his sister right. I’m like, ‘Well maybe he just doesn’t want to be with her,’” she said. “But he was not doing parallel play; he was playing alone. He was looking at things, and turning lights on and off, and lining up his Thomas the Tank Engine trains and staring at the wheels. There were lots of signs, but I was just a rookie mom, so I didn’t know.”
Her pediatrician told her not to worry, but the differences became even more apparent when RJ started preschool. When he was finally given a formal diagnosis, Robinson Peete was given a list of things RJ would never be able to do.
“We were told he would never drive, never have meaningful employment,” she said. “And he just left in his car to go to Dodgers Stadium, where he works. For me now, watching him soar, watching him thrive, seeing him have friends, watching him have a whole baseball team who cares about him, watching him have purpose — it’s the greatest gift.”
To learn more about the HollyRod Foundation, visit their website here.
A Chesapeake Shores movie could be in the works
The writer behind one of Hallmark’s most popular TV series says that a Chesapeake Shores movie could be in the works. In a recent interview, author Sherryl Woods said she was disappointed when the show ended and that she and one of the show’s executive producers have spoken about bringing it back in a new form.
“That was my first TV baby, so I wanted more, too,” Woods told Parade. “And we were hopeful that we would be able to do some more but it didn’t happen. It’s very sad.”
Chesapeake Shores movie
Chesapeake Shores premiered on Hallmark Channel in 2016. Based on a series of books by Sherryl Woods, the show followed a single mother (Meghan Ory), who returns to her small coastal hometown following a divorce. She is immediately thrown back into the drama of her large family and reconnects with ex-boyfriend Trace Riley, who was played by Jesse Metcalfe.
The show also starred Dianne Ladd as the family’s formidable matriarch, Nell O’Brien, and Barbara Niven and Treat Williams as Abby’s parents. Brendan Penny, Emilie Ullerup, Laci Mailey, Jessica Sipos, and Andrew Francis also starred in the show.
Hallmark canceled the season after six seasons, airing the final episode in October 2022. Some even started a petition to get another network to pick up the series.
Sherryl Woods
Author Sherryl Woods recently gave an interview about Sweet Magnolias, another TV series based on her books. She said that she and Dan Paulson, one of the executive producers for Chesapeake Shores, have spoken about reviving the show.
“[We] continued to talk about whether there was someplace else or something else we could do with Chesapeake Shores, whether it was a few movies here and there, or trying to do something with the series,” she said.
Treat Williams
One obstacle to reviving the series is the fact that one of its stars, Treat Williams, recently passed away. The actor, who starred in the Broadway production of Grease and the movie version of Hair, was killed when he was riding his motorcycle in the small Vermont town where he lived with his wife.
Many of his Hallmark co-stars shared tributes to Williams on social media, sharing memories of working with the actor.
In her interview, Woods talked about how much the actor meant to her.
“He was just a genuinely nice guy,” Woods said. “He would, out of the blue, call up about something or other. I think the last time I had spoken to him in any depth was when he called on my birthday last year and we caught up. He meant a lot to me. It meant a lot to me to be able to have somebody like him in that show…losing Treat was a huge blow for all of us.”
Everything you need to know about the Season 10 premiere of When Calls the Heart
Hearties, the Season 10 premiere of When Calls the Heart is finally here. More than a year after the premiere of Season 9, Hallmark will air new episodes of its longest-running original series.
“In just four days, follow your hearts back to Hope Valley!” read a post on Hallmark Channel’s Facebook page below a poster for Season 10.
Season 10 premiere
When Calls the Heart typically premieres in February or March. But Hallmark pushed back the Season 10 start date in order to promote two new shows, The Way Home and Ride. (The Way Home, which stars Andie MacDowell, has already been approved for a second season. As of publication, Hallmark had not yet commented publicly about another season of Ride.)
To soften the blow, Hallmark announced that it had already signed off on Season 11. The cast and crew began filming on July 17 on the Jamestown set in British Columbia. American cast members who are part of SAG-AFTRA — the union that has been on strike since July 14 — have been granted a waiver to work while the strike continues.
What’s up in Hope Valley?
“First, the coal mine was destroyed,” she says. “Then the oil wells dried up. And then we lost the foundry, and with it, the promise of new jobs. But in true Hope Valley fashion, Florence, Molly, and Minnie started a swap meet so that nothing would go to waste.”
“Rosemary insisted that Lee hire everyone he could from the oil company and wouldn’t let anything stop her from lending a hand, even though she’s just a few weeks from giving birth. We’ve all rolled up our sleeves, relying on generosity and kindness and neighbors helping neighbors. Everyone has dedicated themselves to doing their part and having fun while they do it.”
But Hallmark has revealed that in the first episode of the season, the children discover a set of hot springs in the woods near the town. Immediately, there is talk of turning them into a tourist destination to bring in some money.
Baby talk
One storyline that has fans buzzing is Rosemary’s pregnancy. Hearties were thrilled when Rosemary (Pascale Hutton) and Lee (Kavan Smith) discovered at the end of Season 9 that they were expecting. Hutton shared photos of Rosemary’s baby bump on social media earlier in the year, prompting some fans to speculate that Rosemary might be having twins.
The wedding
Another storyline that has fans buzzing is the upcoming wedding between Elizabeth and Lucas (Chris McNally). In a recent interview, Krakow revealed that wedding planning will be in full swing.
“There’s cake tasting and invitations and you know, talk of dress designs…all the good stuff,” she said in an interview with ET.
Romance for Nathan
Hearties will also get to see if Nathan (Kevin McGarry) finds true love. In an interview before the premiere of Season 9, McGarry hinted that romance is in his future.
Fans have been left to figure out which of Hope Valley’s eligible ladies he will end up with. Though sparks flew when Mei Suo (Amanda Wong) rode into town, he also had a few moments with Dr. Faith Carter (Andrea Brooks). A trailer for the upcoming season shows Brooks falling into McGarry’s arms.
When Calls the Heart will premiere on Hallmark Channel on Sunday, July 30 at 9/8c.
New Hallmark movie showcases the beauty of Hawaii
Taylor Cole plays an aspiring conservationist who finds love in Hawaii in the new Hallmark movie Aloha Heart. The romantic comedy is one of four new films to debut during July.
Hallmark Channel shared a photo of Cole and her co-star, Kanoa Goo, on Instagram.
“Sarah @taylorquinncole and Manu @kanoagooz share a common love: Earth – but will that be their only shared love? Find out in #AlohaHeart,” read the caption.
New Hallmark movie
In Aloha Heart, Cole plays Sara Hamilton, who travels to Hawaii to be the maid of honor in her best friend’s wedding. Though she is happy for her friend, Sara has a lot on her mind. Her attempts to break into the world of conservation have been unsuccessful and she is thinking of giving up.
She meets Manu (played by Kanoa Goo), whose family owns the hotel. Manu is also a conservationist and he is having trouble convincing his family to make changes to the hotel that would make it more environmentally friendly.
Sara begins making suggestions, which at first Manu finds irritating. Eventually they begin to work together and find that they have feelings for each other.
The movie was filmed in Honolulu, Waimanalo, and Makapu’u in Oahu, Hawaii. The Kahala Resort and Hotel serves as the backdrop for the family resort. The luxury hotel was also featured in the Hallmark movie You Had Me at Aloha, which starred When Calls the Heart’s Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith.
About the cast
Taylor Cole is a native of Texas. After working as a model, she landed a role in the TV series Summerland. She has appeared in the shows CSI: Miami, Two And A Half Men, The Glades, Supernatural, and The Originals. She made her Hallmark debut in the 2016 movie Appetite for Love. She has since starred in the Hallmark movies My Summer Prince, Christmas Festival of Love (2017), One Winter Weekend (2018), One Winter Proposal (2019), Unlocking Christmas (2020), One Winter Wedding (2021), South Beach Love (2021), Making Spirits Bright (2021), Pumpkin Everything (2022), and Long Lost Christmas (2022).
Kanoa Goo is an NYU graduate who was born and raised in Hawai’i. He began doing commercials as a child and has appeared in the TV shows Hawaii Five-O, The Donors, Henry Danger, NCIS: Hawai’i, City on a Hill, The Rookie, and Fire Country.
In a recent interview, he said he hit it off with Taylor Cole immediately.
“She is one of the kindest, most loving people and actresses I’ve ever worked with, and made me feel completely at ease,” he told Just Jared. “We actually became really close friends right away, and we just approach working in a similar way. So I really looked forward to working with her day after day.”
Aloha Heart will premiere on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, July 29 at 8/7c.
Cast of popular Hallmark show gets a waiver from SAG-AFTRA to film next season
The cast of Hallmark’s longest-running original series can go back to work. The actors have been granted a waiver from a current union strike that has brought most filming in the U.S. to a standstill.
Brian Bird, who co-created When Calls the Heart, shared the news on social media.
“Season 11 of When Calls the Heart is approved by SAG to continue production in the same week as Season 10 Premieres!” he wrote on Facebook. “We are very grateful to all the folks at SAG/AFTRA for saying YES! to filming Season 11!”
Waiver from SAG-AFTRA
All 160,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have been on strike since July 14, after negotiations stalled with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. They joined members of the Writers Guild of America, who have been on strike since May after failing to reach an agreement with the AMPTP over working conditions and pay.
Among the complaints brought by union leaders are the shorter duration of television shooting schedules, which means longer periods of time actors go without steady pay, and smaller residuals — amounts paid to actors each time a movie or show is aired. According to representatives of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, residuals have taken a hit with the advent of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
But the union has begun to grant waivers to some of its members to work on projects that have no direct ties to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
According to Deadline, When Calls the Heart is one of several projects to get such an exemption. Others include the Bible-based series The Chosen, the movies Mother Mary and I Dream of Unicorns, and Apple TV+’s Tehran.
Season 11
Work began on Season 11 of When Calls the Heart on July 17. The majority of the cast and crew are members of Canadian unions, which have not gone on strike. But questions arose as to how American cast members, including series lead Erin Krakow, would be able to film during the strike.
Brian Bird, who has been the show’s most vocal cheerleader, said the SAG-AFTRA waiver has brought those worries to an end.
“For ten seasons, our fictional town of Hope Valley has always been a place of second chances, where all citizens are treated with grace, fairness and respect,” he wrote on Facebook. “We pray for nothing but fairness and respect in the negotiations between the studios, networks, writers and actors. On all sides. Everybody can and should win.”
Season 10 of When Calls the Heart will premiere on Sunday, July 30 at 9/8c.
Ansley Gordon headlines new cozy mystery on Great American Family
Great American Family will premiere a faith-based cozy mystery starring Ansley Gordon. The Abby Brooks Mysteries will debut at the same time as Season 10 of When Calls the Heart on Hallmark Channel. The film will then be available to stream the following day on Pure Flix.
In a recent interview, Gordon — who also wrote the film — said she found inspiration for the new movie in the Nancy Drew series, as well as Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.
New mystery
In the Abby Brooks Mysteries, Gordon stars as a true-crime podcaster and former journalist reeling from the loss of her child and her recent divorce. When her free-spirited neighbor is found dead, Brooks becomes convinced foul play is involved.
She works with the local police in Prescott, Ariz., to solve the crime, using clues from Bible verses.
“I pulled inspiration from Nancy Drew and from the characters of Only Murders in the Building,” Gordon said in a statement to CBN’s Faithwire. “I knew I wanted to create an ensemble cast that felt like a family and I wanted the world to feel really inclusive, that you would want to be a part of the town of Prescott.”
Great American Media
Great American Family is one of two networks owned by Great American Media, a company founded by former Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott. In an interview with USA Today, Abbott said he hoped to challenge Hallmark Media as the leading producer of family-friendly entertainment on television.
“We believe we’ll be the leader in quality family entertainment in this space,” Abbott said. “…That’s a lofty and challenging objective. But we think we have the team in place to do it and the experience to do it.”
In May of 2023, the company announced it had merged with Pure Flix, a streaming division of Sony Pictures dedicated to family-friendly entertainment.
The cozy mystery business
Great American Family hit the ground running, producing original movies starring Trevor Donovan, Jessica Lowndes, Jesse Metcalfe, Merritt Patterson, and Daniel Lissing.
But the Abby Brooks Mysteries is the network’s first foray into the world of cozy mysteries. Hallmark Movies and Mysteries typically premieres at least one new mystery or drama every month, and even more during its Miracles of Christmas programming lineup every year.
About the cast
Ansley Gordon is well known for writing and starring in uplifting movies. She has appeared in Baked With a Kiss (2022), The Boyfriend Trap (2022), Love on the Reef (2023), and Love on Retreat (2023).
She will be joined in the Abby Brooks Mysteries by Bret Green, an Emmy Award-nominated actor, and Karen Abercrombie.
The Abby Brooks Mysteries will premiere on Great American Family on Sunday, July 30 at 9/8c.
Hallmark shares a sneak peek at new Christmas movie sequel
Hallmark will share a sneak peek at new Christmas movie sequel over the weekend. As part of the Christmas in July lineup, the network will air Haul Out the Holly. The 2022 hit, which stars Lacey Chabert and Wes Brown, will get a sequel during the 2023 Countdown to Christmas programming event called Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up.
Hallmark made the announcement on Instagram.
“Relive the magic of #HaulOutTheHolly on July 22 at 8/7c as part of #ChristmasInJuly!” read the caption.
Christmas movie sequel
Haul Out the Holly premiered to rave fan reviews in 2022. In the movie, Lacey Chabert stars as Emily, a woman who returns home during the holidays after a bad breakup with plans to just relax. But when she arrives, she finds out her parents (played by Carrie Morgan and Peter Jacobson) have plans to go out of town. Just when Emily resigns herself to binge-watching Christmas movies on her own for the week, she finds out she is expected to take her parents’ place in the neighborhood’s holiday festivities.
Wes Brown co-stars as her old friend who is now running the HOA in charge of the Christmas events. When she doesn’t share his enthusiasm for the holidays, he issues her parents an HOA citation.
To work off the penalty, Emily gets involved and finds herself competing with the neighbors, played by Ellen Travolta, Melissa Peterman, and Stephen Tobolowsky.
Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up
“‘Haul out the Holly’ was an unqualified success and became an instant holiday classic. Viewers immediately responded to the movie’s warmth and this incredibly funny cast,” said Samantha DiPippo, senior vice president of development for Hallmark Media. “We cannot wait to take viewers back to Evergreen Lane with a sequel that is bigger, funnier, and jollier than before.”
In the sequel, Emily (Chabert) and Jared (Brown) are looking forward to celebrating the holidays together as a couple. Emily, now embracing Evergreen Lane’s uniquely festive spirit, is ready to work with Jared, Ned (Tobolowsky), Mary Louise (Travolta), and Pamela (Peterman) to make this year’s Christmas celebrations the best yet – even if being the HOA president’s girlfriend doesn’t stop those dreaded decorating citations.
When a house on the block goes up for sale, it causes quite a stir among the residents. When the soon-to-be neighbors turn out to be holiday royalty, it looks like this year’s competition is about to heat up.
Hallmark has not yet given a release date for Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up. A preview will air during an encore presentation of Haul Out the Holly on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, July 22 at 8/7c.
Brendan Penny reveals which Hallmark star he would love to work with again
Over the years, Brendan Penny has starred in more than 15 movies for Hallmark. From romantic comedies such as Autumn in the Vineyard (2016), A Dash of Love (2017), and Beverly Hills Wedding (2021) to the mysteries Along Came a Nanny (2014) and The Gourmet Detective (2015), the actor has worked with all the network’s greats.
In a recent interview, the Chesapeake Shores star revealed which Hallmark star he would love to work with again.
Penny said he wants to make a sequel to the Wedding Cottage because he had so much fun with Erin Krakow.
“I hope it could have 10 films out of it so I could work with Erin again,” Penny said in an interview with Just Jared.
Hallmark star Brendan Penny
Penny and Krakow delighted fans of Chesapeake Shores and When Calls the Heart when they collaborated on the romantic comedy The Wedding Cottage, which premiered on Hallmark in April 2023.
In the movie, Krakow plays Vanessa, a wedding planner who promotes her new book by holding a contest to give one lucky couple an all-expenses paid wedding.
The winning couple, played by Drew Henderson and Matreya Scarrwener, are in a hurry to tie the knot, as he is about to get deployed. Vanessa finds out that the bride and groom want to get married at a house in the town of Stony Brook, Vermont, known as the Wedding Cottage. She contacts the home’s new owner, a reclusive sculptor named Evan (played by Penny).
He is reluctant to let his house be used as a venue, but Vanessa’s persistence wears him down. As they prepare for the big day, Vanessa and Evan find out that the cottage is a special place for the people of Stony Brook. They also begin to develop feelings for each other.
Co-stars
During a Facebook Live event to promote the movie, Penny and Krakow talked about how much fun they had making The Wedding Cottage.
“It was a lot of laughter,” Krakow said.
“Every day on set was just super fun,” Penny said.
Both actors said they were excited to find out they would be working together.
“It was kind of shocking that we hadn’t worked together yet,” Penny said.
Brendan Penny starred for six seasons on the Hallmark series Chesapeake Shores. Krakow headlines Hallmark’s longest-running original series When Calls the Heart.
A sequel? A series?
In a recent interview, Penny said he already had some ideas for a sequel.
“They could make a second movie out of it for sure,” he said. “Where we have our wedding at the Wedding Cottage, you know, and the hijinks that are involved with that.”
Andrea Brooks and Patch May reunite in new Hallmark movie A Lifelong Love
Andrea Brooks and Patch May play struggling artists who put their careers on hold to help her grandfather track down his first girlfriend in the new Hallmark movie A Lifelong Love. The actors co-starred in the 2022 film The Wedding Fix.
“I’m teaming up with @pinkflamingoboogie again for another romcom!” Andrea Brooks wrote in an Instagram post promoting the movie.
New Hallmark movie
In the new Hallmark movie A Lifelong Long, Brooks plays Annika, a struggling poet. When her latest collection of poems is rejected by publishers, she turns her attention to helping her grandfather track down his first love.
She teams up with her ex-boyfriend Ryan (played by Patch May), who is trying to make a career in photography. But when the search takes Annika out of her comfort zone, she realizes she might need to change her ways if she wants to have the life — and love — she has always dreamed of.
A Lifelong Love is one of four new Hallmark movies to premiere during July, and the only new film to debut on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.
Andrea Brooks
On Instagram, Andrea Brooks promoted the movie while also sharing photos from a costume fitting for Season 11 of When Calls the Heart.
“Our yearly fitting photo op continues. Let’s go 11!! #hearties,” she wrote in the caption.
Though a union strike has brought filming in the U.S. to a standstill, Hallmark’s longest-running original series is filmed in Canada. The show’s co-creator recently shared on Facebook with fans that they will do their best to both honor and work around the SAG-AFTRA strike.
“On Monday, July 17, the production of Season 11 BEGINS with all of our fine Canadian writers and cast- and-crew-members back to work while we wait for a peaceful resolution of these labor talks,” Bird wrote. “And for the day our US writers and actors are allowed to return. And when you experience Season 11 in 2024, through the seamless magic of the filmmaking and storytelling process, it will make it seem like they were there all along.”
A Lifelong Love will premiere on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries on Friday, July 21 at 9/8c.
Work begins on Season 11 of When Calls the Heart
The co-creator of Hallmark’s popular series When Calls the Heart said that work on Season 11 has begun on schedule. Brian Bird, who writes and produces the show, said the SAG-AFTRA strike in the U.S. will have some effect on the series, but that the crew is working around it.
“I know some [of] you have expressed your concern about how the current labor disputes with the writers and actors might [affect] the production of Season 11,” Bird wrote in a Facebook post.
The strike
SAG-AFTRA, a union that represents 160,000 actors across the U.S., began striking on July 14. They joined the Writers Guild of America, which has been on strike since May after failing to reach an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over working conditions and pay.
Among the complaints brought by union leaders are the shorter duration of television shooting schedules, which means longer periods of time actors go without steady pay, and smaller residuals — amounts paid to actors each time a movie or show is aired. According to representatives of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, residuals have taken a hit with the advent of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
Meanwhile, in Canada
Though the strike has brought production in the U.S. to a standstill, When Calls the Heart is filmed in Canada. Some of the actors in the series are SAG-AFTRA members but others belong to the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists. Though the Canadian union has expressed solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, ACTRA has not voted to go on strike.
This means that writing and some filming can go ahead as scheduled for When Calls the Heart.
“I want you [to] know that our intrepid and fearless Vancouver production team have prepared an extraordinary contingency plan that will honor the WGA and SAG/ACTRA strikes, while at the same time keeping the streets of Hope Valley very busy in the weeks and months ahead,” Bird wrote.
Season 10
Fans have been waiting for more than a year to see the new season of When Calls the Heart. The show typically premieres in February or March but Hallmark pushed back the premiere date this year in order to promote two new series, The Way Home and Ride.
While Hearties are excited that their favorite show is coming back at the end of July, some were worried about Season 11.
Peaceful resolution
In his Facebook post, Bird said work would begin as the team waited for a peaceful resolution to the labor disputes:
“On Monday, July 17, the production of Season 11 BEGINS with all of our fine Canadian writers and cast- and-crew-members back to work while we wait for a peaceful resolution of these labor talks. And for the day our US writers and actors are allowed to return. And when you experience Season 11 in 2024, through the seamless magic of the filmmaking and storytelling process, it will make it seem like they were there all along.”
Bird also thanked fans for their support.
“As you know, life and circumstances have thrown curveballs at #WhenCallstheHeart many times over the last decade,” he wrote. “And you #Hearties have always rolled with the punches and risen to the occasion to show your support for the show. We are so grateful for you and your loyalty, even when you don’t always agree with our choices, and we hope you know that we know you are the reason for our success. We can’t wait for you to see Season 10 and a few surprises we have in store for you. Your viewership this Summer matters as much as it ever has. And we can’t wait for you to see Season 11 in 2024… and Lord-willing, seasons 12 through 20!”
This is an ongoing story. We will update it as more information becomes available.
How will actors’ strike affect Hallmark?
The actors’ strike that has made headlines around the world could spell trouble for Hallmark fans. Now that filming has been brought to a halt across the country, it could mean a delay in new movies and TV shows being produced by all networks.
Several Hallmark stars have already spoken out on social media in support of SAG-AFTRA, a union that represents 160,000 actors across the country.
“Our resolve has never been stronger, and together we have an enormous power to effect change in the industry,” wrote Kristoffer Polaha in an Instagram post. “One day longer, one day stronger!”
Paul Greene also shared a message on Instagram.
“Always so many wild feelings, perspectives and ideas when this happens,” he wrote. “Praying for a swift solution and bright future in a craft I love….”
The strike
Representatives for SAG-AFTRA have been in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over working conditions and pay.
Among the complaints brought by union members are the shorter duration of television shooting schedules, which means longer periods of time actors go without steady pay, and smaller residuals — amounts paid to actors each time a movie or show is aired.
Union leaders say residuals have taken a hit with the advent of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
Members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike for two months over similar issues. This is the first time since 1960 that SAG-AFTRA and the WGA have been on strike at the same time.
What happens at Hallmark?
Hallmark stars have already been affected. Catherine Bell, Brennan Elliott, Jen Lilley, and Rachel Boston had to pull out of a fan convention in June over scheduling conflicts, when production was moved forward on several movies in anticipation of a SAG-AFTRA strike.
But many Hallmark films and shows are filmed in Canada. Supporting roles are often filled by members of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists. Thought the Canadian union has expressed solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, ACTRA has not yet voted to go on strike.
This could make it possible for Hallmark Media to continue filming movies despite stalled negotiations in the U.S.
Countdown to Christmas
Many movies for Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas event are already in the bag. Filming for the 2023 lineup began in January, and 18 movies have been made so far.
But since Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries routinely turn out dozens of holiday movies each year, it remains to be seen if the overall lineup of new movies will be slim this year.
When Calls the Heart
The good news for When Calls the Heart fans is that Season 10 is complete. The first episode will premiere on July 30.
Brian Bird, the show’s co-creator, says a number of arrangements have been made so that filming on Season 11 can begin on July 17 as planned.
As of publication, Hallmark had not yet commented on the strike. This is an ongoing story. We will update it as more information becomes available.
A Christmas wish changes everything in new Hallmark movie Take Me Back For Christmas
The new Hallmark movie Take Me Back For Christmas will premiere as part of the network’s Christmas in July lineup. The film stars Vanessa Lengies and Corey Sevier.
“A dash of love, a pinch of fate, and a sprinkle of second chances,” read an Instagram post on Hallmark Channel’s page. “#TakeMeBackForChristmas serves up a heartwarming tale of rediscovery and the flavors of the holiday season.”
New Hallmark movie
In Take Me Back For Christmas, Lengies plays Renée, a woman who has always dreamed of starting her own business. After putting her dreams on hold to take care of her mother, Renée is feeling unfulfilled in her dead-end job at a small gift shop.
At the end of a particularly difficult day, Renée is asked by a Christmas display elf if she wants to make a wish. Although she is skeptical, her exasperation gets the best of her, and she wishes for a different life. To her surprise, she wakes up in a New York City high-rise and discovers she is the CEO of one of the most successful meal-kit delivery companies in the world.
But her excitement turns to distress when she finds out that in this life, she is no longer married to her husband, Aaron.
Determined to get him back, she hires Aaron, now a successful chef, to develop a Christmas dinner meal kit for the city’s food banks. With her new plan in place, she and Aaron begin to fall in love all over again, bringing her one step closer to “having it all.” But as complications arise in this new reality and the clock ticks closer to Christmas Eve, Renée is forced to ask herself if going back is the key to moving forward in life and love.
About the cast
Vanessa Lengies got her start as a child actress, performing on shows such as Caillou and 8 Simple Rules. After roles in the movies Stick It, The Substance of Things Hoped For, and The Perfect Man, she landed the role of Sugar Motta on the series Glee. She made her Hallmark debut in the 2019 movie Heart of the Holidays. In 2022, she co-starred with Jesse Hutch in the Christmas in July movie Christmas in Toyland.
Corey Sevier first appeared on a screen when he was six months old. Over the years, he has made more than 30 films and had parts in the TV shows Cedar Cove, CSI: Miami, Heartland, Smallville, and Supernatural. He co-starred with Natalie Hall in the 2022 Countdown to Christmas movie Noel Next Door. He also appeared in the 2022 Hallmark movies Road Trip Romance and Pumpkin Everything.
Take Me Back For Christmas will premiere on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, July 15 at 8/7c.
A Christmas-themed, star-studded Hallmark cruise to the Bahamas
A Christmas-themed, star-studded Hallmark cruise to the Bahamas will set sail in 2024. In a social media announcement, Hallmark Media told fans that they can immerse themselves in the Hallmark experience with celebrity meet-and-greets, a tree-lighting ceremony, and an ugly sweater contest.
“Jolliest vacation ever!” read the text on the cruise’s website. “Pack your bags for the vacation of a lifetime as you experience the magic of a Hallmark Channel Christmas with your favorite Hallmark stars on the beautiful Norwegian Gem. Join us as we indulge in all our favorite Christmas traditions during this ultimate holiday at sea!”
Hallmark cruise
Though Hallmark stars have gone on cruises with fans before — Andrew Walker and Paul Greene set sail in January 2023 — this is the first cruise sponsored by Hallmark itself.
“We hear time and time again that people want to immerse themselves in the world of Hallmark Channel Christmas movies and this venture is sure to bring our brand to life in a new, captivating way,” said Natalie Vandergast, Hallmark Media’s vice president of consumer products. “We are delighted to count down to Christmas 2024 aboard an adventure that will allow our stars and enthusiastic fan base alike to create everlasting memories together at sea.”
Fan response
Fans responded with enthusiasm on social media, though some said they would wait to see which celebrities will be joining the cruise before signing up.
“This would be awesome, not knowing who will be joining I will have to wait for the list.” wrote one on Facebook. “To see if it’s worth it.”
“Tell me Ryan Paevey is gonna be there!” wrote another.
The itinerary
According to an itinerary released by Hallmark Media, the cruise will set sail from Miami, Florida, on November 5, 2024. A day at sea will follow and the ship will arrive at Nassau, Bahamas on the 7th. After another day at sea on the 8th, the ship will arrive in Miami on November 9th.
Activities include:
Photo ops and behind-the-scenes panels with Hallmark celebrities
A Hallmark Channel wine-tasting
A tree-lighting ceremony
Christmas cookie decorating
An ugly sweater contest
Christmas carol-oke
The Norwegian Gem
Hallmark is collaborating with Sixthman, a company known for its themed cruises.
The company’s vice president of events, marketing & community told fans what they could expect.
“From sugar plums to reindeers, ornaments to caroling and so much more. Loyal fans will celebrate timeless Hallmark Channel Christmas traditions and create new ones with their families, a ship full of Hallmarkies, and Hallmark Channel’s holiday stars,” said Jeff Cuellar in a statement released by the network. “Leave your puffy jacket and grab your Christmas spirit and passion for Hallmark Channel Christmas movies as we set sail on the most heartwarming, holly jolly experience on the high seas.”
How to get on board
According to instructions from Hallmark, during the pre-sale signup period, guests can register to receive a booking appointment for a chance to reserve a cabin during the pre-sale. The first-round pre-sale signup deadline is July 16, 2023 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time, with the first round of pre-sale booking times beginning July 18, 2023. The final pre-sale signup deadline is July 19, 2023, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time, with remaining pre-sale booking times running through Public On Sale on July 21, 2023. On July 21, 2023, at 2:00 pm Eastern Time, bookings will be open to the general public.
For more information, visit the cruise’s website: hallmarkchannelcruise.com
Erin Krakow promises romance and ‘jaw-dropping’ drama in Season 10 of When Calls the Heart
In a recent interview, Erin Krakow said Hearties can expect jaw-dropping moments in Season 10 of When Calls the Heart.
“Season 10 is packed,” Krakow said during an interview with ET’s Deidre Behar. “We are truly leveling up the When Calls the Heart experience.”
When Calls the Heart Season 10
Season 10 of Hallmark’s longest-running original series will premiere on July 30. Fans have been waiting more than a year for new episodes of the show. When Calls the Heart typically premieres in February or March, but Hallmark put the series on the back burner while promoting two other new series, The Way Home and Ride.
As a consolation, the network announced that Season 11 of the series will begin filming this summer.
‘There will be some jaw-dropping’
Krakow, who stars as Elizabeth Thornton on the series, recently sat down with ET to talk about what Hearties can expect when When Calls the Heart premieres.
“There’s something for everyone,” Krakow said. “There will be some jaw-dropping.”
When Behar pressed her for details, Krakow responded that there will be some life-or-death moments.
“Spoiler alert: we don’t lose anybody,” she said. “…But it gets a little dicey for a second.”
Romance and wedding plans
The star also teased some romance coming up in Season 10. A trailer released by Hallmark Channel shows Dr. Faith Carter (Andrea Brooks) falling into the arms of Nathan Grant (Kevin McGarry).
Krakow also talked about Elizabeth and Lucas (Chris McNally) planning their wedding.
“There’s cake tasting and invitations and you know, talk of dress designs…all the good stuff,” she said.
Children
Rosemary and Lee will become parents in this season, and Krakow talked about how Rosemary has a little bit of anxiety about what kind of mother she will be.
Krakow also spoke about Jack (Hyland Goodrich) growing up a little more in Season 10.
“Little Jack has all these questions now about his father and that’s a new challenge for Elizabeth,” she said.
Guest stars and music
Krakow also spoke about some exciting guest appearances this season.
“We’re bringing in lots of exciting guest stars,” Krakow said. “…We don’t know if they’re good guys or bad guys.”
There will also be some music in Season 10.
“We have musical episodes…not a true musical but there’s music,” she said.
Season 10 of When Calls the Heart will premiere on Hallmark Channel on Sunday, July 30 at 9/8c.
Have a library card? You may be able to watch Hallmark for free
A partnership between Hallmark Movies Now and a popular library app will allow patrons to watch Hallmark for free. Hoopla Digital recently announced the launch of BingePass, a feature that allows users to access content from a premium collection. One of these collections includes the material available on Hallmark Movies Now, Hallmark’s streaming service.
This means Hallmark fans can watch every season of When Calls the Heart and Chesapeake Shores as well as more than 450 movies, all for free.
Hallmark for free
Hoopla Digital is an all-in-one app for public libraries that allows users to access books, magazines, comic books, movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
In a statement to PR Newswire, the company’s founder explained why they chose to partner with Hallmark.
“Our goal at hoopla is to provide the best content available to libraries and their patrons,” Jeff Jankowski said. “We pursued this partnership with Hallmark Movies Now to give access to this celebrated range of movies, specials and original series. As the needs of libraries evolve, we are too, to ensure the way library patrons consume content on hoopla meets demand. When we launched BingePass, we pledged to continue adding more diverse content and this new agreement with Hallmark Movies Now adds a beloved entertainment brand that is a natural for bingeing.”
New material
Hallmark Movies Now will add more than 450 movies to the platform this year alone, meaning BingePass users can watch Christmas films, romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, and TV series. All nine seasons of When Calls the Heart will be available, as well as all six seasons of Chesapeake Shores. The first seasons of Ride and The Way Home — new shows launched by Hallmark earlier this year — will also be available to stream.
As the cost of cable packages continues to rise, some Hallmark fans have subscribed to streaming services such as Hallmark Movies Now, Frndly TV, and Peacock to access their favorite content. Though these services are all cheaper than cable (FrndlyTV starts at $6.99 per month, for example), they are not free.
With BingePass, Hoopla users can access Hallmark content at no cost.
To see if Hoopla is available where you live, check with your local library.
A sequel, a series, and a film set in Scotland: Everything we know so far about Hallmark’s Christmas lineup
Summer may be in full swing but Hallmark Media has already started stockpiling material for its 2023 Christmas lineup.
Brennan Elliott, Lacey Chabert, Kevin McGarry, Tyler Hynes, Janel Parrish, and Erica Durance are among the stars who have filmed movies for the upcoming holiday season. Hallmark will also release an 8-episode series about Christmas starring Erin Cahill.
Here’s everything we know so far:
Haul Out the Holly Sequel
Lacey Chabert and Wes Brown are making a sequel to their successful 2022 Countdown to Christmas movie Haul Out the Holly. In the original, Chabert and Brown played childhood neighbors who are reunited when he is head of the neighborhood’s holiday decorating committee and she is a reluctant participant in the local festivities.
Marcus Rosner
Hallmark star Marcus Rosner will star in two Countdown to Christmas movies for Hallmark this year (that we know of so far). The films are titled Christmas in Maple Hills and Coupled Up for Christmas.
Another Hallmark veteran who will work on two movies for the company is Ali Liebert. The actress and director, who starred in the 2017 Countdown to Christmas movie A Gift to Remember, will direct Christmas in Notting Hill, a rom-com starring Sarah Ramos. Though the movie is set in London, it was filmed in part in Dublin.
Liebert posted a photo on Instagram from her stay in Ireland.
“when in Ireland… 🏰 beautiful stay at @kilkeacastle,” she wrote in the caption.
Liebert will also direct Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas, the sixth in a series of films based on a song written by Blake Shelton and his mother, Dorothy Shackleford. Shelton and his mother recorded “Time For to Come Home” in 2012. Dorothy Shackleford then wrote a novel with the same title.
Other movies in the series include:
Time For Me to Come Home For Christmas
Time For You to Come Home For Christmas
Time For Them to Come Home For Christmas
Time For Us to Come Home For Christmas
Time For Him to Come Home For Christmas
Cute couples
Tyler Hynes and Janel Parrish recently posted from the set of a movie for the 2023 Hallmark Christmas lineup. The movie, Never Been Chris’d, tells the story of lifelong friends best friends whose bond is tested when they’re reunited with their mutual high school crush.
When Calls the Heart’s Kevin McGarry and soap star Kim Matula will pair up in Christmas Goals, a hockey-themed movie.
Nikki DeLoach and Lucas Bryant recently finished filming A World Record Christmas. Hunter King and Benjamin Hollingsworth will star in The Santa Summit. The movie, which was filmed in Winnipeg, is about two strangers who are introduced by their friends during their hometown holiday celebration.
Luke Macfarlane returns
Luke MacFarlane — who starred in the 2022 movie A Magical Christmas Village — told the Hollywood Reporter that he recently finished making a Christmas movie for Hallmark.
“Talk about learning on the job,” he said. “You gotta know what you’re doing when you show up because there is not a lot of time. We shoot them in 15 days, and they tend to overshoot so that they have their bases covered.”
There is no title available yet for the movie, which allegedly co-stars Ashley Williams.
Great locations
Scott Wolfe and Lacey Chabert will star in A Merry Scottish Christmas, which is being filmed on location in Scotland. The actors, who played siblings for six seasons on the Fox series Party of Five, will once again play brother and sister.
Two movies for the 2023 Hallmark Christmas lineup were filmed in Connecticut. Mystic Christmas, which stars Patti Murin, was filmed at Mystic Aquarium and Olde Mystic Village.
The plot revolves around a marine veterinarian who takes a temporary job at Mystic Aquarium, only to run into an ex.
Lyndsey Fonseca and Michael Rady will star in a movie titled Where Are You Christmas. The movie was shot in New Haven, Connecticut.
Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha wrapped on A Biltmore Christmas in January. The movie, which includes time travel in the storyline, was filmed at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.
Christmas series
Hallmark will also premiere a series of movies about a group of families who live in a cul de sac in Oak Bay, Oregon.
The location manager for the series, called Holidazed, gave details of the series to the Lake Cowichan Gazette, where part of the series was filmed.
“The production will be in eight episodes in which the first one explores all of the families, followed by episodes focusing on each individual family, and it all comes together in the final episodes,” Hamilton said.
Countdown to Christmas and Miracles of Christmas programming will premiere in October.
Hallmark CEO explains why Mystery 101 was canceled
The CEO of Hallmark Media recently explained why the company decided to cancel its popular Mystery 101 series. In an interview with The Sun, Wonya Lucas touched on why the hit series would not be making a comeback on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.
Mystery 101
Fans were disappointed when Hallmark broke the news on its Facebook page in April 2023 that the series was finished.
“We loved making ‘Mystery 101’ and we’re so glad you enjoyed sleuthing along with us,” wrote the page administrator in response to a fan comment. “We want to let you know that our talented sleuths have solved the last mystery and are off the case. In the coming weeks and months there are exciting new mysteries on the way that we know you’ll love!”
In a post on Twitter, Kristoffer Polaha wrote, “Well kids, looks like the cat’s out of the bag. #Mystery101 has solved its last mystery.”
He went on to thank the fans and his co-stars.
“You are the most incredibly supportive fans ever!” he wrote. “We LOVE you! @JillWagner @robinthomas101 & I had the most amazing time entertaining you by bringing Travis, Amy, & Graham to life.”
The series debuted in 2019 with Mystery 101. Six more titles followed:
Mystery 101: Playing Dead (2019)
Mystery 101: Words Can Kill (2019)
Mystery 101: Dead Talk (2019)
Mystery 101: An Education in Murder (2020)
Mystery 101: Killer Timing (2020)
Mystery 101: Deadly History (2020)
In the series, Jill Wagner starred as Amy Winslow, an English professor with a knack for solving crimes. Polaha played a detective named Travis Burke. The two solved several cases together before becoming romantically involved.
Jill Wagner
In a March 2021 interview, Wagner talked about how much she adored Polaha, calling him “a great co-star.”
“…We get along really well, and I think more than anything, we have great on-screen chemistry,” she told TV Fanatic. “I think that’s really hard to find, and it’s not necessarily something you can always create just by casting two people, so I think Hallmark got really lucky with that.”
Surprise ending
Fans were shocked when Amy and Travis broke up during the final movie, Mystery 101: Deadly History. As soon as they split, there was an 11-month time jump that showed Travis arriving at the crime scene of a murder with his partner. He sees Amy there and it’s her finance who is the victim in the case.
In a red-carpet interview with The Sun, Hallmark CEO Wonya Lucas talked about why the network would not revive the series.
“Well, we hadn’t done it in a long, long time, right? And we just brought the mysteries back. So, we’re just looking at mysteries a little differently now,” she said.
She added, “We’ve created some new mysteries, in addition to some that we’ve had in the past. So, it’s just an evolution of our mysteries. We’re just doing a lot of new things.”
Andrew Walker, Kavan Smith, and Warren Christie to star in new Hallmark movies coming to TV in August
Six new Hallmark movies are coming to TV in August. Four original rom-coms will premiere on Hallmark Channel and two new dramas will premiere on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.
Rachel Boston, who will headline the drama The More Love Grows with Warren Christie, shared a photo from the set of her new movie on Instagram.
“The More Love Grows!!! Loved making this movie with such a wonderful team!” she wrote in the caption. “Excited to share it with you soon – August 18.”
New Hallmark movies
The first of the new movies to debut is Making Waves, starring Holland Roden and Corey Cott. Roden stars as a music executive who travels to the Outer Banks to sign an up-and-coming band. But when she arrives, she finds out that the group is fronted by Will (played by Cott), her childhood summer sweetheart. As she tries to convince the band to sign with her company, she realizes she may still have feelings for Will.
Next up is Big River Sky: The Bridal Path, a sequel to the 2022 Hallmark movie Big River Sky. Emmanuelle Vaugier stars as Taylor, who has settled in Montana and is dating cowboy Boone (played by When Calls the Heart’s Kavan Smith).
A Safari Romance
Brittany Bristow and Andrew Walker will star in A Safari Romance, which was filmed on location in Africa. Bristow plays Megan, a Ph.D. candidate living in South Africa and working as a safari guide. An American theme park hires her to show around an executive designing an immersive safari experience (played by Andrew Walker).
According to a synopsis from Hallmark, “As they spend time together exploring the savanna to observe giraffes, elephants, and lions in their natural habitats, romance develops. Knowing that Tim will soon return home, Megan is afraid of giving her heart to someone who lives half a world away.”
The More Love Grows
In The More Love Grows, Rachel Boston plays Helen, whose husband asks for a separation just after they drop their daughter off at college. Thanks to a stray dog who enters her life and the friendship of a helpful veterinarian (played by Christie), Helen “rediscovers her strength and begins to forge a new path.”
Never Too Late to Celebrate
Alexa and Carlos PenaVega will star in Never Too Late to Celebrate. In the rom-com. Alexa plays Camila, a dentist too busy with work to relax and have fun. When she meets Javi (Carlos PenaVega), a substitute teacher at the school where her mother works, she takes him up on his offer to join the Spanish class he teaches on the side so she can finally learn the language of her late father.
Sparks fly as Javi helps Camila connect with her Mexican roots and urges her to mark her 30th birthday with a “double quinceañera” to honor her Hispanic heritage.
Napa Ever After
In Napa Ever After, Denise Boutté stars as a high-powered attorney who inherits her grandmother’s winery in Napa Valley. With the help of handsome local Alec (played by Colin Lawrence), she learns more about the grandmother she hardly knew.
Making Waves will premiere on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, August 5 at 8/7c.
Big River Sky: The Bridal Path will premiere on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries on Friday, August 11 at 9/8c.
A Safari Romance will premiere on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, August 12 at 8/7c.
The More Love Grows will premiere on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries on Friday, August 18 at 9/8c.
Never Too Late to Celebrate will premiere on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, August 19 at 8/7c.
Napa Ever After will premiere on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, August 26 at 8/7c.