Tag: Hallmark

Actress Danica McKellar has moved to Tennessee. In a recent interview, the Hallmark and Great American Family star said she and her family have left Los Angeles to live on a rural homestead an hour north of Nashville.

“My husband and I have been wanting more nature for a long time,” McKellar told People magazine. “We were kind of ready to not be in a city anymore.”

In an Instagram post, McKellar said she feels like a character in one of the romantic-comedies she stars in.

“Yep, my Christmas movie characters are definitely rubbing off on me,” she wrote. “Big city life traded in for the country!”

The actress added, “I’ve lived in beautiful California my entire life; in Los Angeles since I was 7 years old. And I’ve never been happier. Excited for the seasons, too!”

Danica McKellar has moved to Tennessee

Tennessee has a special place in McKellar’s heart. Soon after she started dating her husband, Scott Sveslovsky, she had to shoot a movie on location in Kentucky. They missed each other so much that he flew to Nashville to see her and she drove an hour-and-a-half to see him. They spent a romantic weekend in Nashville and fell in love with the city.

“Memphis and Nashville are both entertainment cities. They’re known for music,” McKellar said. “Being from L.A. and being an entertainer, it’s nice to have creative people around.”

Career move

McKellar made headlines last year when she announced that she had signed an exclusive contract with Great American Family, a new network started by Crown Media Family Network’s former CEO Bill Abbott. As part of the deal, she will star in and executive produce four movies for the company.

One of these films, Christmas at the Drive-In, will premiere as part the network’s Great American Christmas lineup.

Though she is a fan of romantic comedies in general, she loves Christmas movies.

“…I think what audiences love about Christmas is this feeling of nostalgia and family and traditions and warm fuzziness,” she said in an interview. “Really, what we want is that warm fuzziness.”

Danica McKellar in the movie Christmas at the Drive-In. The actress revealed that she has moved to Tennessee.
Danica McKellar in the movie Christmas at the Drive-In. (Image: Great American Media.)

A Californian born and bred, McKellar first appeared on the small screen as Winnie Cooper in the ABC program The Wonder Years, which ran from 1988-1993. After finishing the series, she went on to study mathematics at UCLA.

In her work as an undergraduate, she helped author a mathematical-physics theorem, the Chayes-McKellar-Winn theorem. She has written 11 books about math and runs a website devoted to the subject.

She continued her acting career as well, making guest appearances on The West Wing and the The Big Bang Theory. Over the years, she has appeared in the Hallmark romcoms Crown for Christmas (2015), Christmas at Grand Valley (2018), and Christmas at Dollywood (2019). She also starred in Crown Media’s Matchmaker Mysteries series.

New place

McKellar is now living on her homestead with her husband, her son, Draco, (whom she shares with ex Mike Verta), and her mother, Mahalia. They have begun renovating their new home and they hope to eventually put in a pool, though McKellar is enjoying the trampoline they have too much to make serious plans.

The actress said she loves being around nature and her family.

“I am just loving the fact that my Christmas movie characters have rubbed off on me,” she said. “I think it’s just a wonderful example of life imitating art.”

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We made a list of all the new Christmas movies premiering this year. It includes the movies on Hallmark, Great American Family, and Lifetime to Netflix, BET+, and Discovery+. We will update it as more information becomes available.

Enjoy!

All the new Christmas movies:

Saturday, Oct. 22

“Destined at Christmas”
Stars: Shae Robins and Casey Elliott
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“We Wish You a Married Christmas”
Stars: Marisol Nichols, Kristoffer Polaha
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“We Need a Little Christmas”
Stars: Erica Durance, Patrick Sabongui, Lynn Whitfield
Premieres on: Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, 10/9c
Sunday, Oct. 23

“A Kismet Christmas”
Stars: Sarah Ramos, Carlo Marks, Marilu Henner
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

Marilu Henner stars in A Kismet Christmas, one of the original movies that will premiere during Coutndown to Christmas 2022.
Marilu Henner in A Kismet Christmas (Image: Hallmark Media)

Friday, Oct. 28

“A Cozy Christmas Inn”
Stars: Jodie Sweetin, David O’Donnell
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

Saturday, Oct. 29

“Catering Christmas”
Stars: Merritt Patterson and Daniel Lissing
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“Jolly Good Christmas”
Stars: Reshma Shetty, Will Kemp
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Christmas Bedtime Stories”
Stars: Erin Cahill, Steve Lund, Charlie Weber
Premieres on: Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, 10/9c

All the new Christmas movies premiering on TV this year, including Jolly Good Christmas
Jolly Good Christmas (Image: Hallmark Media)

Sunday, Oct. 30

“Ghosts of Christmas Always”
Stars: Kim Matula, Ian Harding, Beth Leavel, Lori Tan Chinn, Reginald VelJohnson
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

Tuesday, Nov. 1

“Another Christmas”
Stars: Sheena Faust, Ryan Toby, Malik Brazil
Premieres: The Roku Channel (streaming platform)

Thursday, Nov. 3


“A Wesley Christmas”
Stars: Dorien Wilson, Jasmine Guy, Terrence Carson, Loren Lott, Terayle Hill, Mike Merrill
Premieres on: BET+ (streaming platform)

Friday, Nov. 4

“Unperfect Christmas Wish”
Stars: Alys Crocker, David Pinard
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“A Magical Christmas Village”
Stars: Alison Sweeney, Luke Macfarlane, Marlo Thomas
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

All the new Christmas movies premiering on TV, including Christmas Bedtime Stories
Christmas Bedtime Stories (Image: Hallmark Media)

Saturday, Nov. 5


“Christmas in the Pines”
Stars: Jillian Murray, Dean Geyer
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“A Royal Christmas on Ice”
Stars: Anna Marie Dobbins and Jonathan Stoddard
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“Lights, Camera, Christmas!”
Stars: Kimberley Sustad, John Brotherton
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Merry Swissmas”
Stars: Jodie Sweetin, Tim Rozon, Mikaela Lily Davies, David Pinard, Jane Wheeler
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“A Maple Valley Christmas”
Stars: Peyton List, Andrew Walker
Premieres on: Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, 10/9c

Sunday, Nov. 6

“Christmas Masquerade”
Stars: Erin Agostino, David Lafontaine
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“Love At the Christmas Contest” (working title)
Stars: Samantha Cope and Ross Jirgl
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“All Saints Christmas”
Stars: Ledisi, Roger Cross
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Well Suited for Christmas”
Stars: Mercedes de la Zerda, Franco Lo Presti
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Lifetime will release 26 Christmas movies, including A New Orleans Noel
A New Orleans Noel (Image: A+E Networks)

Thursday, Nov. 10

“The First Noelle”
Stars: Novi Brown, LaLa Milan, Todd Anthony
Premieres on: BET+

“Falling for Christmas”
Stars: Lindsay Lohan, Chord Overstreet, George Young, Jack Wagner
Premieres on: Netflix

“Christmas on Mistletoe Lake”
Stars: Genelle Williams, Corey Sevier
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Friday, Nov. 11

“A Christmas Open House”
Stars: Katie Stevens, Victor Rasuk, Ben and Erin Napier
Premieres on: Discovery+

“Designing Christmas”
Stars: Marco Grazzini, Jessica Szohr, Mykee Selkin, Hilary Farr
Premieres on: Discovery+

“A Gingerbread Christmas”
Stars: Tiya Sircar, Sugith Varughese, Ktana Teresa, Duff Goldman, Marc Bendavid
Premieres on: Discovery+

“One Delicious Christmas”
Stars: Vanessa Marano, Kathy Maloney, Bobby Flay, Alex Mallari, Jr.
Premieres on: Discovery+

“The Christmas Retreat”
Stars: Rhiannon Fish, Clayton James
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“In Merry Measure”
Stars: Patti Murin, Brendan Penny, Jennifer Robertson
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“The Dog Days of Christmas”
Stars: Georgia Flood, Ezekiel Simat
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Lifetime will release 26 Christmas movies in 2022, including Merry Textmas
Merry Textmas (Image: A+E Networks)

Saturday, Nov. 12

“A Tiny Home Christmas”
Stars: Rebecca Dalton, Christopher Seivright
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“A Merry Christmas Wish”
Cast: Jill Wagner and Cameron Mathison
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“The Royal Nanny”
Stars: Rachel Skarsten, Dan Jeannotte, Greta Scacchi
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Reindeer Games Homecoming”
Stars: Sarah Drew, Justin Bruening
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“Our Italian Christmas Memories”
Stars: Sarah Power, Beau Bridges
Premieres on: Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, 10/9c

Sunday, Nov. 13

“The Picture of Christmas”
Stars: Chelsea Hobbs, Giles Panton
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“My Best Friend’s Christmas”
Stars: Breanne Hill and Colton Little
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“Christmas at the Golden Dragon”
Stars: Kara Wang, Osric Chau, Sara Canning, Antonio Cupo, Barbara Niven
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Six Degrees of Santa”
Stars: Kathryn Davis, Steve Lund
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Six Degrees of Santa (Image: A+E Networks)
Six Degrees of Santa (Image: A+E Networks)

Thursday, Nov. 17

“Christmas Party Crashers”
Stars: Skye Townsend, Jaime Callica, Cocoa Brown
Premieres on: BET+

“Christmas With You”
Stars: Aimee Garcia and Freddie Prinze Jr.
Premieres on: Netflix

“A Christmas Story Christmas”
Stars: Peter Billingsley, Erinn Hayes, Julianna Layne, River Drosche
Premieres on: HBO Max

“Sweet Navidad”
Stars: Camila Banus, Mark Hapka
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Friday, Nov. 18

“Spirited”
Stars: Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, Patrick Page
Premieres on: Apple TV+

“Inventing the Christmas Prince”
Stars: Tamera Mowry-Housley, Ronnie Rowe Jr.
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“A Country Christmas Harmony”
Stars: Brooke Elliott, Brandon Quinn
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Saturday, Nov. 19

“The Holiday Switch” (working title)
Stars: Alex Paxton-Beesley, Morgan David Jones
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“Christmas At Pine Valley”
Stars: Kristina Cole and Andrew Biernat
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“Three Wise Men and a Baby”
Stars: Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, Margaret Colin
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Santa Bootcamp”
Stars: Emily Kinney, Patrick Cassidy Rita Moreno
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“Long Lost Christmas”
Stars: Taylor Cole, Benjamin Ayres
Premieres on: Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, 10/9c

Lifetime will premiere 26 Christmas movies during It's a Wonderful Lifetime, including Wrapped Up in Love
Wrapped Up in Love (Image: A+E Networks)

Sunday, Nov. 20

“Christmas Lucky Charm”
Stars: Sugenja Sri, Adrian Spencer
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“My Favorite Christmas Tree”
Stars: Emma Johnson and Giles Panton
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“When I Think of Christmas”
Stars: Shenae Grimes-Beech, Niall Matter, Beth Broderick
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“A Show-Stopping Christmas”
Stars: Jamie Perez, Thomas McDonnell
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“The Case of the Christmas Diamond”
Stars: Kelly Daly, Billy Baldwin
Premieres on: ION, 8/7c

Thursday, Nov. 24

“The Christmas Clapback”
Stars: Nadine Ellis, Porscha Coleman, Candace Maxwell, Kara Royster, Eltony Williams, Brandon Sutton, Lisa Arrindell
Premieres on: BET+

“Holiday Hideaway”
Stars: Camille Winbush, Vivica A Fox, Leonard Earl Howze, Rodney Van Johnson
Premieres on: BET+

“The Sound of Christmas”
Stars: Ne-Yo, Serayah, Draya Michele, Michael Bless, Alijah Kai
Premieres on: BET+

“Christmas at The Greenbrier”
Stars: Alicia Leigh Willis and Josh Murray
Premieres on: Fox Nation

“A Christmas Mystery”
Stars: Violet McGraw, Eddie Cibrian, Christoph Sanders, Drew Powell
Premieres on: HBO Max

“Holiday Harmony”
Stars: Annelise Cepero, Jeremy Sumpter, Carla Jimenez, Sisanie
Premieres on: HBO Max

“The Noel Diary”
Stars: Justin Hartley, Barrett Doss, Essence Atkins, Bonnie Bedelia, James Remar
Premieres on: Netflix

“My Southern Family Christmas”
Stars: Jaicy Elliot, Bruce Campbell, Ryan Rottman, Moira Kelly, Brian McNamara
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Baking All the Way”
Stars: Cory Lee, Yannick Bisson
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Friday, Nov. 25

“The Hip Hop Nutcracker”
Stars: Allison Holker Boss, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Rev Run, Caché Melvin
Premieres on: Disney+

“#Xmas”
Stars: Clare Bowen, Brant Daugherty
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 6/5c

“Christmas at the Drive-In”
Stars: Danica McKellar and Neal Bledsoe
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8 /7c

“A Royal Corgi Christmas”
Stars: Hunter King, Jordan Renzo
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Steppin’ Into the Holiday”
Stars: Mario Lopez, Jana Kramer, Courtney Lopez
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

We Need a Little Christmas will air this weekend as part of Hallmark's Miracles of Christmas
We Need a Little Christmas (Image: Hallmark Media)

Saturday, Nov. 26

“A Tale of Two Christmases”
Stars: Kat Barrell, Chandler Massey, Evan Roderick
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 6/5c

“I’m Glad It’s Christmas”
Stars: Jessica Lowndes, Paul Greene and Gladys Knight
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“Haul Out the Holly”
Stars: Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Ellen Travolta, Peter Jacobson, Melissa Peterman
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“The 12 Days of Christmas Eve”
Stars: Kelsey Grammer, Spencer Grammer
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“Faith Heist: A Christmas Caper”
Stars: Jonathan Langdon
Premieres on: Bounce, 8/7c

“Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas”
Stars: Holland Roden, Tyler Hynes, Tenille Townes (Executive Producer: Blake Shelton)
Premieres on: Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, 10/9c

Sunday, Nov. 27

“A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe”
Stars: Rachel Boston, Victor Webster
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 6/5c

“Candace Cameron Bure Presents: A Christmas…Present”
Stars: Candace Cameron Bure and Marc Blucas
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“A Holiday Spectacular”
Stars: Ginna Claire Mason, Derek Klena, Eve Plumb, Ann-Margret; featuring the Radio City Rockettes
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“A Christmas Spark”
Stars: Jane Seymour, Joe Lando (Executive producer Toni Braxton)
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“Dognapped: Hound for the Holidays”
Stars: Sara Ball, Noah Fearnley, Vivica A. Fox
Premieres on: ION, 8/7c

Eighteen new Christmas movies will premiere on Great American Family this year including I'm Glad It's Christmas
I'm Glad It's Christmas (Image: Hallmark Media)

Thursday, Dec. 1


“Rolling Into Christmas”
Stars: Rhyon Nicole Brown, Donny Carrington, Brandee Evans, Gary Dourdan
Premieres on: BET+

“A Hollywood Christmas”
Stars: Jessika Van, Anissa Borrego, Josh Swickard, Riley Dandy
Premieres on: HBO Max

“Serving Up the Holidays”
Stars: Britt Irvin, Zach Roerig
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Friday, Dec. 2

“Scrooge: A Christmas Carol”
Stars: Jessie Buckley, Luke Evans, Olivia Colman, Johnny Flynn
Premieres on: Netflix

“Christmas in the Wilds”
Stars: Kaitlyn Leeb, Victor Zinck Jr.
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“A Big Fat Family Christmas”
Stars: Shannon Chan-Kent, Shannon Kook, Tia Carrere, Jack Wagner
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Cloudy with a Chance of Christmas”
Stars: Valery Ortiz, Brandon Quinn, Nicole Bilderback
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Saturday, Dec. 3

“Christmas on the Slopes”
Stars: Olivier Renaud, Soma Chhaya
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“Christmas on Candy Cane Lane”
Stars: Andrea Barber and Dan Payne
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“A Fabled Holiday”
Stars: Brooke D’Orsay, Ryan Paevey
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“A New Orleans Noel”
Stars: Keshia Knight Pullman, Brad James, Patti LaBelle
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“The Holiday Stocking”
Stars: Nadine Ellis, B.J. Britt, Karon Riley, Tamala Jones, Mykelti Williamson
Premieres on: Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, 10/9c

“The Great Holiday Bake War”
Stars: LeToya Luckett, Finesse Mitchell
Premieres on: OWN, 9/8c

Sunday, Dec. 4

“Christmas on the Rocks”
Stars: Lyla Porter-Follows, Jon McLaren
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“B&B Merry”
Stars: Jen Lilley and Jesse Hutch
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“Undercover Holiday”
Stars: Noemi Gonzalez, Stephen Huszar
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Merry Textmas”
Stars: Ariana Ron Pedrique, Rodrigo Massa
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“The Search for Secret Santa”
Stars: Skye Coyne, Alex Trumble
Premieres on: ION, 8/7c

“Fit for Christmas”
Stars: Amanda Kloots, Paul Greene
Premieres on: CBS, 8:30 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT

Eighteen new Christmas movies will premiere on Great American Family this year, including Christmas on Candy Cane Lane.
Christmas on Candy Cane Lane (Image: Great American Media)

Thursday, Dec. 8

“A Miracle Before Christmas”
Stars: LeToya Luckett, Romeo Miller, Keith David, Demetrius Shipp Jr, Paula Jai Parker and Porscha Coleman
Premieres on: BET+

“Scentsational Christmas”
Stars: Nanzeen Contractor, Mykee Selkin
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Friday, Dec. 9

“Something From Tiffany’s”
Stars: Zoey Deutch, Kendrick Smith Sampson, Ray Nicholson, Shay Mitchell
Premieres on: Amazon Prime Video

“It’s a Wonderful Binge”
Stars: Eduardo Franco, Dexter Darden, Zainne Saleh, Marta Piekarz, Kaitlin Olson, Danny Trejo
Premieres on: Hulu

“Big Box Christmas” (working title)
Stars: Jennifer Freeman and Garrett Watson
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“The Most Colorful Time of the Year”
Stars: Katrina Bowden, Christopher Russell
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“A Recipe for Joy”
Stars: Erin Agostino, Dillon Casey
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Saturday, Dec. 10

“A Royal Christmas Match”
Stars: Jordana Largy, Matthew MacCaull
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“A Prince for the Holidays” (wt)
Stars: Cindy Busby and Jilon VanOver
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“Christmas Class Reunion”
Stars: Aimee Teegarden, Tanner Novlan
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas”
Stars: Naturi Naughton, Lorea Turner, Luke James, Kirk Franklin
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“A Christmas Fumble”
Stars: Eva Marcille, Devale Ellis
Premieres on: OWN, 9/8c

“The Gift of Peace”
Stars: Nikki Deloach, Brennan Elliott
Premieres on: Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, 10/9c

"Kirk Franklin's A Gospel Christmas" (Image: A+E Networks)
"Kirk Franklin's A Gospel Christmas" (Image: A+E Networks)


Sunday, Dec. 11

“Santa’s Got Style”
Stars: Franco Lo Presti, Kathryn Davis
Premieres on: Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“A Belgian Chocolate Christmas”
Stars: Jaclyn Hales and Zane Stephens
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“The Holiday Sitter”
Stars: Jonathan Bennett, George Krissa, Chelsea Hobbs
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Single and Ready to Jingle”
Stars: Natasha Wilson
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“A Prince and Pauper Christmas”
Stars: Brittany Underwood
Premieres on: ION, 8/7c

“Must Love Christmas”
Stars: Liza Lapira, Neal Bledsoe
Premieres on: CBS, 9/8c

Thursday, Dec. 15

“A Blackjack Christmas”
Stars: Dawnn Lewis, Charmin Lee, Adam Lazarre-White
Premieres on: BET+

“Record Breaking Christmas”
Stars: Michelle Argyis, Andrew Bushell
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Friday, Dec. 16

“Holiday Heritage”
Stars: Lyndie Greenwood, Brooks Darnell, Holly Robinson Peete
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“A Christmas to Treasure”
Stars: Taylor Frey, Kyle Dean Massey
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

Lifetime will release 26 Christmas movies during It's a Wonderful Lifetime
Record-Breaking Christmas (Image: A+E Networks)

Saturday, Dec. 17

“Sappy Holiday”
Stars: Vanessa Sears, Jon McLaren
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“A Brush with Christmas Romance” (wt)
Stars: Jillian Murray and Joseph Cannata
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“’Twas the Night Before Christmas”
Stars: Torrey DeVitto, Zane Holtz
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“The Holiday Dating Guide”
Stars: Maria Menounos, Brent Bailey
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“Five More Minutes: Moments Like These”
Stars: Ashley Williams, Lucas Bryant
Premieres on: Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, 10/9c

Sunday, Dec. 18

“A Vintage Christmas”
Stars: Hannah Gallway, Jeremy Walmsley
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

“The Art of Christmas”
Stars: Brigitte Kingsley and Joe Towne
Premieres on: Great American Family, 8/7c

“Hanukkah on Rye”
Stars: Jeremy Jordan, Yael Grobglas, Lisa Loeb
Premieres on: Hallmark Channel, 8/7c

“Wrapped Up in Love”
Stars: Brittany Bristow, Olivier Renaud
Premieres on: Lifetime, 8/7c

“When Christmas Was Young”
Stars: Karen David, Tyler Hilton
Premieres on: CBS, 8:30 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT

Thursday, Dec. 22

“A Christmas Gift”
Stars: Blue Kimble, Noree Victoria, Javon Johnson, Victoria Rowell, Aaron D. Spears, Nadia Simms, Tiffany Snow, Marc Jones, Cayen Martin
Premieres on: BET+

Saturday, Dec. 24

“The Snowball Effect”
Stars: Anjali Khurana, Landon Moss
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

Sunday, Dec. 25

“Christmas in Wolf Creek”
Stars: Nola Martin, Tim Rozon
Premieres on: UPtv, 7/6c

December, date TBD

“Dolly Parton’s Magic Mountain Christmas”
Stars: Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus
Premieres on: NBC

“Hotel for the Holidays”
Stars: Madelaine Petsch, Mena Massoud
Premieres on: Amazon Freevee

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Fans have mixed reactions to news that Candace Cameron Bure leaving Hallmark Channel

By now, most fans have heard about Candace Cameron Bure leaving Hallmark Channel to work with GAC Family. The Full House actress made the announcement on Instagram last week.

“Excited to join the @gactv and @gacliving family!” she wrote in the caption.

The actress, who has starred in more than two dozen movies for Crown Media Family Networks, received support from other actors who have signed deals with GAC Family.

“Yayayay!!!! Welcome to the family, my friend!!” Danica McKellar wrote in the comments.

But among fans, the reactions were mixed.

Some fans thrilled that Candace Cameron Bure now working for GAC Family

“I’m so excited for you and for GAC family,” one wrote on Bure’s Facebook page. “Can’t wait to see what you and Mr. Abbot will create together. Crossing my fingers in hopes of seeing some mysteries on this channel too. Oh! And bring back the home and family show. God Bless and enjoy this new adventure.”

Some fans are thrilled that Candace Camerone Bure leaving Hallmark Channel for GAC Family

“This is such great news!” wrote another. “I was hoping we would see you there especially when they picked up Full House & Fuller House. May God continue to richly bless you in all that you do!”

Another fan comments on Bure's Facebook page

Some fans upset that Candace Cameron Bure leaving Hallmark Channel

Most fans who have objected to Bure’s departure say the issue is straightforward: they don’t have access to GAC Family.

Though the new network is included in some basic cable packages — you can check yours here — in others, it can cost extra. It’s also available on several streaming platforms, but some fans they can’t afford to pay.

“I’m on disability and a fixed income and can’t afford to have a bunch of extra channels,” one wrote on social media. “I hate that so many have abandoned ship at Hallmark. Will miss seeing them.”

A fan comments on Candace Cameron Bure's move to GAC Family

Fans in Canada say they can’t even get GAC Family.

“This makes me a little sad because GAC Media isn’t currently available in Canada!” one wrote. “Neither is Hallmark but I could at least watch your movies on WNetwork through StackTV.”

A fan says she can't get GAC Family in Canada

What is GAC Family?

GAC Family is one of two networks launched by former Crown Media CEO Bill Abbott. Abbott left Crown Media — which produces content for Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama — in early 2020.

In June of 2021, he announced that his new company, GAC Media, had purchased two cable networks. Programming on GAC Family and GAC Living began in September. In addition to old episodes of family-friendly shows such as Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, and Father Knows Best, GAC Family released 12 original movies for the holiday season in 2022.

Other Hallmark stars such as Jen Lilley, Jessica Lowndes, and Danica McKellar have also signed contracts to work with GAC Media. Holly Robinson Peete, Brennan Elliott, and Lacey Chabert have signed contracts to continue to work for Crown Media.

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When Calls the Heart co-creator tells fans their support is crucial for Season 10

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The co-creator and executive producer of Hallmark Channel’s longest-running original series posted a letter on social media telling fans their support could help keep the show on the air. In his letter, Brian Bird thanked When Calls the Heart fans for their “eFangelism.”

“If indeed there is to be a season 10 and beyond of WCTH, it will be because you reached down into your hearts and found that same excitement and passion for rallying your friends and family to watch the only show on TV that celebrates hope, faith and love every week,” he wrote.

Season 9 of the series premiered on March 6. Around 3.5 million viewers tuned in to watch the episode, according to Nielsen.

In his letter, Bird said he had seen levels of support among fans that reminded him of the “halcyon early days.”

“You wore WCTH T-shirts, drank coffee out of WCTH mugs, collected thousands of little hand-made hearts from all over the country, bearing messages of support, and you strung them together in a giant heartstring and sent it to the Hallmark Channel, pleading for just one more season,” Bird wrote.

Brian Bird and Daniel Lissing on the set of When Hope Calls Christmas
Brian Bird and Daniel Lissing on the set of When Hope Calls Christmas. (Image: @brbird/Instagram)

When Calls the Heart

When Calls the Heart premiered on Hallmark Channel in 2014. Based on a series of books by Canadian author Janette Oke, the show followed a wealthy woman, Elizabeth Thatcher (played by Erin Krakow), who moved to a small Canadian mining town to work as a teacher. She fell in love with and eventually married a mountie — short for Royal Canadian Mounted Police —named Jack Thornton (played by Daniel Lissing).

The series has had its share of controversy. At the end of Season 5, Jack Thornton was killed shortly after his wedding to Elizabeth. In Season 6, two men were brought in to replace him, and they vied for Elizabeth’s hand until she chose between them in the Season 8 finale.

Many fans were upset when Elizabeth chose businessman Lucas Bouchard (Chris McNally) over Mountie Nathan Grant (Kevin McGarry). Some vowed never to watch the show again.

Erin Krakow says that Season 10 of When Calls the Heart will have 'jaw-dropping' drama. (Image: Hallmark Media)

Renewed enthusiasm

In his letter, Bird said he had been touched by the show of enthusiasm he has seen for Season 9. He also said the support is needed if the series is to continue.

“And if you would like to see it continue, it’s your time to shine once again,” he wrote.

There has been no word yet from Hallmark Channel about whether the series will be renewed for a tenth season.

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Henry shares a powerful lesson with Hope Valley’s children on When Calls the Heart

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Hearties were treated to some of the feel-good, old-fashioned moments that have made When Calls the Heart famous during the second episode of Season 9 on Sunday.

Businessman Henry Gowen, who has been Hope Valley’s on-again, off-again villain since Season 1, set the record straight with the town’s children after he got involved in a saloon brawl during the first episode.

After spending the night in jail, he went to the schoolhouse and stood before the students. He explains what led him to attack businessman Jerome Smith in the saloon but said that violence is never the answer.

“If all we do is hurt each other, we all end up in pain,” he said.

Though some of the boys seemed disappointed, teacher Elizabeth Thornton was downright shocked. Henry has obviously come a long way from his early days in Hope Valley, when he made self-serving decisions that cost coal miners their lives.

 

Election results

In other developments, the votes in the town’s mayoral race were tabulated, and Mike Hickam was the winner. Though Bill and Lee were disappointed, Rosemary consoled her husband and even offered him the job as managing editor of her newspaper.

Hickam went to Fiona and told her it would be a conflict of interest for him to hold public office and be part owner of Gowen Petroleum. He turned over his shares to Fiona.

Waiting on the election results
Rosemary, Lee, and Bill await the results of Hope Valley's mayoral election. (Image: Crown Media)

Nathan on the mend

Fans tuning into the second episode of Season 9 were expecting the worst after Nathan was hit by a car during the Season 9 premiere. After he was brought to Dr. Carter’s clinic, Elizabeth rushed to his bedside. When Nathan saw her, he didn’t recognize her, leading many fans to believe he was suffering from amnesia.

But almost immediately during Episode 2, it became apparent that Nathan was just kidding. He knew who Elizabeth was, there was no evident damage to his brain, and he would simply need rest and the doctor’s care to get better.

Several fans mentioned how much they appreciated Lucas visiting Nathan’s bedside. The two former rivals sat and ate ice cream together, giving some fans hope that it was the start of a beautiful friendship.

Finally, viewers were introduced to a softer side of newcomer Mei Suo (Amanda Wong). When Elizabeth went to check on Nathan’s horse, she found Mei there, soothing the animal, who was still skittish from the accident.

 

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Heather Hemmens signs multi-picture deal with Hallmark Channel

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Roswell, New Mexico star Heather Hemmens has signed a deal to make several movies for Hallmark Channel. The actress made the announcement in a post on Instagram.

“Manifestation update!!” Hemmens wrote in the caption. “As a black girl from rural Maine, an offer to spread joy, love and fun with the @hallmarkchannel is a dream come true! And on #internationalwomensday! I’m overcome with gratitude. Thank you to the wonderful team at #Hallmark for this very official welcome to the family. I am honored!”

Hemmens has already made two movies for Crown Media Family Networks. Love, Take Two premiered on the Hallmark Channel in 2019. Christmas In My Heart aired on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries in 2021.

A network spokeswoman said Hallmark was thrilled to have the star on board.

“We are excited to sign this multi-picture deal with Heather Hemmens,” said Lisa Hamilton Daly, executive vice president of programming for Crown Media. “Heather is such a pro at what she does, making every movie she works on unique and special. We are lucky to have her on-board, starring in multiple movies for us.”

Hemmens and Hallmark

In a statement through the network, Hemmens said she was pleased to continue working with Hallmark.

“Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries are the go-to networks for feel-good entertainment, and I feel very lucky to be a part of that,” Hemmens said.

In a 2019 appearance on Hallmark’s Home and Family, the actress shared one of her many talents with co-hosts Debbie Matenopoulos and Cameron Mathison, teaching them how to make candles.

“We grew up in the woods with no TV or entertainment, so my mom was always trying to find stuff for us to do,” Hemmens said.

From Maine to Hollywood

Hemmens grew up in Maine and attended the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Boston, where she received weapons training and earned a black belt in martial arts. After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles. She landed bit parts in The Dukes of Hazzard and Glory Road before being cast as Alice Verdura in the CW series Hellcats in 2010. She also appeared in the OWN series If Loving You is Wrong and the CW show Roswell, New Mexico.

Neither Hemmens nor Hallmark gave details about the movies Hemmens will make. She is the second actress to announce a multi-picture deal with the network. In February, Laci Chabert said she had signed a two-year agreement to make movies with Crown Media.

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Danica McKellar uses her love of math and physics on new Fox reality show

For years now, actress Danica McKellar has worked hard to help children (and adults) understand and appreciate math. She has written 12 books on the topic, with titles such as Math Doesn’t Suck and Kiss My Math, and runs a website, McKellar Math, dedicated to the subject.

Now on Fox, the mathematician will get a chance to share her knowledge on the reality show Domino Masters. Produced by the same team that put together the show Lego Masters, the program will feature teams building domino structures and then knocking them down.

“I can’t wait for you to see the mind-blowingly impressive domino structures our brilliant teams created,” the actress wrote in a post on her Instagram page. “It’s a wild, nail-biting ride and you’re gonna love it! It’s almost….TOPPLE TIME!”

The show is hosted by Modern Family star Eric Stonestreet. The other judges on the show are former NFL player Vernon Davis, and expert domino artist and YouTube star Steve Price.

The three teams competing will create structures using blocks and kinetic devices.

“I can’t believe what our teams were able to create in less than in 16 hours,” McKellar said during an Instagram Live appearance.

Love of math

McKellar first became known to television audiences as Winnie Cooper on the series The Wonder Years, which ran from 1988 to 1993 on ABC.

After the show ended, she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from UCLA. As an undergraduate, she helped author a mathematical-physics theorem, the Chayes-McKellar-Winn theorem. She has also testified before Congress on the state of women in the fields of math and science.

New projects

Domino Masters is only one of many new projects McKellar has taken on recently. In October, the actress announced she had signed a contract to make four movies with GAC Family, a new network started by Crown Media Family Network’s former CEO Bill Abbott.

The Winter Palace, which she starred in and produced, premiered on GAC Family on January 8. In an interview with The List, she said she would use some of the skills she learned on Dancing With the Stars in one of the movies.

“I can’t give you a lot of details yet, but I’m working on one that involves some dance, which is a lot of fun,” she said.

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Five new movies coming to Hallmark during Spring Into Love event

Five new rom-coms will premiere on Hallmark Channel during its Spring Into Love event, which begins the last weekend of March and runs through the month of April. Melora Hardin, Illeana Douglas, Chris McNally, and Brittany Bristow are among the stars who will headline the films.

“We’re all in the mood for love (and puppies),” Bristow wrote on her Instagram page. “A Tail of Love will be premiering Saturday, April 23rd on @hallmarkchannel and I’m so excited to share it with you all!”

In addition to featuring Crown Media favorites such as Bristow, McNally, and Brant Daugherty, Spring Into Love also includes some actors new to the network.

Illeana Douglas, who starred in Goodfellas, Cape Fear, and Seinfeld, will appear in Just One Kiss, alongside Krysta Rodriguez, Santino Fontana, and Aida Turturro. In the romantic comedy, Douglas and Turturro play matchmakers for their children, a professor (Rodriguez) and the headliner at a supper club (Fontana), who keep having chance encounters.

Another newcomer is Melora Hardin, who appeared in The Office as Jan Levinson-Gould. In Love, Classified, she plays a romance novelist who returns to her hometown and reconnects with her children, who are both trying out a new dating app.

Brittany Bristow posts on Instagram about her new Hallmark movie

Reunions

Also premiering during the Spring Into Love event is Always Amore, which stars Autumn Reeser and Tyler Hynes and is being produced by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. A Second Chance at Love, which premieres in March, will reunite ER co-stars Gloria Reuben and Eriq LaSalle.

“It’s true! Reunited and it feels so good!” Reuben wrote in an Instagram post.

Brant Daugherty will appear in his second rom-com this year for Hallmark in A Royal Runaway Romance. He plays a bodyguard who falls for the princess (Philippa Northeast) he is protecting.

The family man

On his Instagram, Daugherty shared how difficult it was to be away from his wife and infant son during filming.

“I had to spend 4 weeks away from this boy while I was filming in Canada and let me just tell you that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Daugherty said.

Daugherty was on location in Canada shooting Hallmark Channel’s The Baker’s Son (2021) when his wife went into early labor with their son, Wilder David, in Los Angeles.

“I thought, I’ll take the film as a way of providing for my family, and hopefully I’ll make it,” he said. “A lot of first babies come late.”

But Wilder didn’t want to wait. On one of the last days of filming, Daugherty’s wife, Kimberly Hidalgo, went into labor. He ended up checking in on her in between takes via Zoom. After 30 hours in labor, she had a C-section, which he watched over FaceTime.

“My sister-in-law held the camera up for an hour while it all happened,” he said.

Spring Into Love starts on March 26 on Hallmark Channel.

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Pascale Hutton: 'Rosemary has always been Team Elizabeth'

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On Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart, Rosemary Coulter (played by Pascale Hutton) has worn many hats over the years.

“She’s been an actress, and she’s been a gossip columnist. She has worked in the restaurant, she has played the piano, she has worked in the dress shop, of course,” Hutton said during a recent appearance on the Sarah Scoop Show.

In Season 9, Rosemary will find a new purpose, according to Hutton. But not before she attempts to — once again — do several things at once, she said.

“We’ll see her trying to wear a bunch of different hats and succeeding and not so much succeeding,” she said. “Rosemary is one of those people who always thrives in a bit of chaos.”

Hutton has played the character since the first season of When Calls the Heart premiered on Hallmark Channel in 2014. A former flame of Jack Thornton (played by Daniel Lissing), Rosemary arrived in what was then called Coal Valley and threw herself into small-town life by trying to start a theater company. She ended up falling for Lee Coulter (Kavan Smith), and the two married in Season 3.

Becoming Rosemary

A native of British Columbia, Hutton had a long list of credits to her name when she tried out for When Calls the Heart. In addition to bit parts on Supernatural, Dead Like Me, and Royal Pains, she had lead roles on the series Arctic Air and Sanctuary.

In the interview, Hutton said she tried to dress the part for her Rosemary audition. Since she knew the series was a period piece, she styled her hair in an elaborate updo. Because the character was supposed to be wearing a red dress, she showed up in a red blouse.

But all it took was one look at her audition video for the show’s executive producer and director Michael Landon Jr. to know she was right for the part.

“He thought, ‘Oh, this is who should play Rosemary,’” she said.

When Landon left work and pulled into traffic, he got another sign. “I was on was on a different TV series at the time that was being advertised a lot,” Hutton said. “A bus pulled up right beside him, and he looked over, and there was a big billboard on the side of the bus with my face on it.”

Champion of true love

During her interview, Hutton touched on the complexity of the character she plays. Rosemary has a public persona that is confident and theatrical. In private, she is quite sensitive, according to Hutton.

“I love her flair and her excitability and her enthusiasm and her theatrics,” she said. “But I also like those softer, quieter, vulnerable moments.”

As for whether Rosemary is Team Nathan or Team Lucas, Hutton said she is Team Elizabeth.

“Hands down, and this has always been unwavering, Rosemary has always been Team Elizabeth,” she said. “She just wants Elizabeth to find love again. There’s no bigger champion of love than Rosemary of love in Hope Valley.”

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Meghan Markle in the Hallmark Channel movie When Sparks Fly. (Image: Crown Media)

Before she was royalty, Meghan Markle was a Hallmark star. (She also read The Rules.)

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Before she was royalty, Meghan Markle was a TV star. Some viewers knew her as Rachel Zane from the series Suits. Others watched her on CSI: Miami and CSI: New York. Hallmark fans knew her from the two romantic comedies she made with the network, Dater’s Handbook and When Sparks Fly.

On Monday, Hallmark will air Dater’s Handbook as part of a Valentine’s Day movie marathon. In the film, Markle plays Cassandra Barber, a young woman who is tired of picking the wrong guy. She decides to follow the advice given by a relationship expert in her best-seller The Dater’s Handbook.

In the end, she finds herself caught in a love triangle with two men: reliable George (played by Jonathan Scarfe) and fun-loving Robert (played by Kristoffer Polaha).

“It’s hard to change old habits and place your faith in the experts, especially when your heart tells you something different,” reads a synopsis from the network.


“I think the reason Cassandra still has to refer to a handbook is the same reason all of us are trying to find our way and a little bit of guidance and trying to balance having it all,” Markle said in an interview to promote the film. “And having it all isn’t easy. I think we’re all still striving for that, so I think watching Cassandra’s journey is pretty fun.”

Happily ever after

Markle met her own true love on a blind date arranged by friends in 2016. She and Prince Harry were married two years later in a ceremony attended by Queen Elizabeth II at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The couple welcomed son Archie in May 2019.

“It’s magic. It’s pretty amazing,” she said during her first public appearance after giving birth. “I mean, I have the two best guys in the world, so I’m really happy.”

The couple welcomed their second child, Lilibet Diana, in June 2021.

Meghan Markle in the Hallmark Channel movie Dater's Handbook
Meghan Markle in the Hallmark Channel movie Dater's Handbook. (Image: Crown Media)

Hallmark history

Markle made her first movie with Hallmark in 2014. She played journalist Amy Peterson in When Sparks Fly opposite Christopher Jacot. In the movie, her character returns to her small hometown for to write a newspaper feature about her parents’ fireworks business. When she arrives home, she is enlisted by a friend to help her plan a Fourth of July wedding to Amy’s ex-boyfriend Hank (played by Jacot). As Amy and Hank spend time together, they are reminded of why they were so good together and old feelings resurface.

Dater’s Handbook followed two years later. In an interview to promote the movie, Markle talked about the futility of playing games when it comes to serious relationships.

“I remember when I was in high school and college we were still reading The Rules — do you remember that book?” she said. “So this is very much like that. And all those different things they would say like, ‘Be a creature unlike any other,’ and it’s really about playing these games but at the end of the day, when it comes down to finding the person that you’re right for, that’s not the person you’re going to play games with.”

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