Jessica Lowndes becomes the latest Hallmark star to sign a deal with GAC Family
Former 90210 star Jessica Lowndes has signed a deal to write, star in, direct, and produce four movies with the new GAC Family network. The company announced the move in an exclusive story with Deadline. Lowndes follows fellow Hallmark veterans Jen Lilley, Danica McKellar, and Trevor Donovan, who have all made similar deals with the network.
“Woke up feeling so incredibly grateful,” Lowndes wrote in an Instagram post. “SWIPE to see some of the reasons why.”
Her post included photos of the Deadline article that announced the deal.
Lowndes has already made three movies for GAC Family, which was started in June 2021 by Bill Abbott, the former CEO of Crown Media Family Networks. Autumn Romance debuted in October 2021. Angel Falls Christmas premiered in November. Harmony From the Heart, which Lowndes wrote and helped produce, premiered on February 12. She also wrote original music for the movie.
New network
Bill Abbott was the CEO of Crown Media Family Networks for 11 years before he left in early 2020. In June 2021, he announced that he had partnered with Dallas-based Hicks Equity Partners LLC to buy two cable networks, which he named GAC Family and GAC Living. Both networks began broadcasting in September.
Autumn Romance, which Lowndes starred in with Chad Michael Murray, was one of the first movies to air on GAC Family. It was followed by 11 original movies that aired during November and December, many of which starred Hallmark regulars.
Some of the actors who appeared in those movies, including Lilley, McKellar, and Donovan, have agreed to work exclusively for the network in deals similar to the one signed by Lowndes.
GAC’s future
In addition to picking up stars from Hallmark, GAC Family has also rescued two of Crown Media’s series. In December, GAC Family released the first two episodes of When Hope Calls, a show that premiered on Hallmark in 2019 but was never renewed for a second season. Last week, GAC Family announced it would air the Kitten Bowl — renamed the Great American Rescue Bowl — in 2023, after Hallmark canceled the show.
In a recent interview to promote Harmony From the Heart, both Lowndes and Abbott talked about how excited they were about their new creative partnership.
“I am so excited for this network and for everyone to find a new home,” Lowndes said. “I think everyone’s going to love it.”
“You’re a huge part of our future,” Abbott said.