Hallmark romance movie
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Benjamin Hollingsworth
New Hallmark romance showcases beauty of Niagara
New Hallmark romance
Jocelyn Hudon
Dan Jeannotte
A book club leads to true love in new Hallmark movie
Erin Krakow and Robert Buckley find true love through a book club in the new Hallmark movie Blind Date Book Club.
Krakow plays a bookstore owner and Buckley an author in the romantic comedy, which will air as part of Hallmark’s Spring Into Love lineup.
“Your heart can be a real page-turner,” reads the movie’s tagline.
In an Instagram post to promote the film, Krakow shared a behind-the-scenes photo of herself, Buckley, and Robert Benson.
“How excited are you to see #BlindDateBookClub?” she wrote in the caption. “A) @peterbenson889 with a soft smile B) @robertearlbuckley with a joyful smile or C) @erinkrakow with a smile like she’s about to eat more onion rings.”
New Hallmark movie
In the new Hallmark movie Blind Date Book Club, Krakow plays Meg Tompkins, a woman who inherited her mother’s book store. She introduces a “Blind Date Book Club,” in which readers choose a mystery book and then come together to discuss it. When local author Graham Sterling sees her interview with a local TV station, he decides he wants her readers to review his new manuscript.
Though Meg is skeptical, she agrees. As the two spend time together, they develop feelings for each other.
About the cast
Erin Krakow studied acting at the prestigious Julliard School in New York City. She played Army Specialist Tanya Gabriel in the television series Army Wives before being cast on the hit Hallmark series When Calls the Heart in 2014.
She has appeared in the movies A Cooke Cutter Christmas (2014), Finding Father Christmas (2016), Engaging Father Christmas (2017), Marrying Father Christmas (2018), A Summer Romance (2019), Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen (2019), It Was Always You (2021), and The Wedding Cottage (2023).
Robert Buckley
A native of California, Robert Buckley earned a degree in economics from the University of California, San Diego. After graduating in 2003, he began working as a financial consultant before deciding he wanted to pursue acting.
After appearing in a horror film and guest starring on several TV shows, Buckley joined the cast of the CW’s hit series One Tree Hill. He went on to play Captain Lilywhite in iZombie and Peter in Hart of Dixie.
He joined the cast of the Hallmark series Chesapeake Shores in its fifth season. His character, Evan Kincaid, was brought in as a possible love interest for Abby (played by Meghan Ory). Evan Kincaid was a brilliant but eccentric billionaire, who hired the O’Brien family to help him with local business interests. Though Abby complained about him at first, she began to soften toward him when she realized he was lonely.
In a Season 5 cliffhanger, Abby chose Evan over schoolteacher Jay Ross (played by Greyston Holt). Their romance unfolded in Season 6, which ended up being the last for the series.
Buckley grew close to the cast during filming. When Treat Williams was killed in an accident in 2023, Buckley posted a tribute to him on Instagram.
“Treat was a special guy,” he wrote. “He had a big smile, even bigger heart and he loved to laugh. He was a joy to be around. I’m grateful for the time we spent together and that I was able to call him a friend. He will be greatly missed.”
Buckley has also appeared in the movies The Christmas Contract (2018), Love in Store (2020), The Christmas House (2020), and The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls (2021).
Hallmark premieres new version of Sense & Sensibility with diverse cast
A new version of Sense & Sensibility will premiere on Hallmark as part of its Loveuary lineup. The movie, which is part of Hallmark’s Mahogany series, stars Deborah Ayorinde, Bethany Antonia, and Dan Jeannotte.
At a recent press event, a Hallmark exec spoke of how the movie was part of the company’s commitment to diversity.
“I think making sure that our casts are diverse, that the stories were telling are diverse, that’s still a big front-and-center issue for us,” said Lisa Hamilton-Daly, executive vice president of programming at Hallmark Media. “It hasn’t gone away and it won’t, because I think we are trying to tell everyone’s story so that means making sure people see themselves when they come to us, so it’s not gonna change.”
Sense & Sensibility
Hallmark’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility follows the fortunes of the Dashwood sisters, who find themselves in difficult circumstances following the death of the family patriarch. Forced to leave the family’s stately home, they move to a modest cottage in Devonshire.
There, practical Elinor (played by Deborah Ayorinde) falls for equally pragmatic gentleman Edward Ferrars (played by Dan Jeannotte). Her passionate sister Marianne (Antonia) spurns the advances of their steadfast new neighbor, Colonel Brandon (played by Akil Largie), for the much more exciting John Willoughby (played by Victor Hugo).
“When Elinor and Marianne’s romantic prospects do not turn out as hoped, each sister learns to embrace the other’s approach to matters of the heart,” reads a synopsis from Hallmark.
Jane Austen February
The network announced that all four new movies premiering in February will have a Jane Austen theme.
“We’re really excited,” Hamilton-Daly told Variety. “Each one of them occupy a special little niche; they really are different from each other, but they kind of cover a whole range of ways of approaching Jane Austen. I think it’s a fun evolution for us to really dig into period and think about the origins of the romance genre — which we are so much a part of in contemporary — and really think about what that means.”
Costumes for the movie were designed by Project Runway alum Kara Saun. Hair designs are by Kim Kimble, who worked on the TV series Euphoria. Author and historian Vanessa Riley served as a historical consultant.
In an Instagram post, actress Bethany Antonia promoted the film’s premiere.
“We made a movie and had tooooo much fun doing it,” she wrote. “Melanated folk finally getting our turn in this kinda getup!!!!!”
Tyler Hynes, Kat Barrell, and Kristin Booth to star in new movie directed by Crystal Lowe
Four of Hallmark’s favorite stars are collaborating on a new movie. Tyler Hynes, Kat Barrell, Kristin Booth, and Crystal Lowe announced they have finished shooting Shifting Gears, a new Hallmark romance that will premiere in March.
Lowe directed the movie as part of Hallmark’s Make Her Mark directing program, a new initiative to make movies with women directors. In an Instagram post, Lowe thanked fellow Hallmark star Ashley Williams, who created the program.
“This woman!!!” she wrote in the caption. “@ashleywilliamsandcompany chose me to the the first recipient of the Make her Mark initiative. A project that took her five years to make happen. I am in awe of her tenacity, drive, talent and most importantly her light. She literally shines from the inside out.”
New movie
In Shifting Gears, Kat Barrell plays mechanic Jess Barro, who runs a garage with her father (played by James Burke). Business is tight thanks to competition from a big auto repair shop chain in town. When she finds out about an auto restoration competition, she enters in the hope of winning the prize money.
But she’s shocked to discover that she will be competing with her ex-boyfriend Luke (played by Tyler Hynes). As the competition revs up, Jess and Luke’s personal rivalry becomes a big hit with the audience and producers alike. After a few misfires, they work through their former relationship and start to bond again over their shared love of classic cars.
“As they speed toward the finish line, Luke has a disastrous painting mishap that threatens to ruin Jess’ chances of winning,” reads a synopsis. “And when she learns his dad plans to buy her family’s garage, she suspects the painting disaster was sabotage rather than an accident. Will their relationship break down again and be beyond repair, or will they be able to restore it and jump-start their romance once again?”
Lowe praised both stars in Instagram posts.
“#hynies you are in for a treat!!” she wrote. “A @tyler_hynes movie told through the female gaze. Hopefully you enjoy!”
In another post showing Barrell in her costume, Lowe wrote, “This is @katbarrell if you’re looking for the epitome of grace and power….that’s Kat. Showed up every day ready to play in the work, shine in her beauty and make us all laugh. Thank you Kat for being such an incredible leading lady!”
Make Her Mark
Former Hallmark CEO Wonya Lucas announced the launch of its Make Her Mark program in 2022 at the Television Critics Association Summer Tour.
“Hallmark is a brand built around giving to and connecting with others, and the Make Her Mark program is our gift of opportunity experience, coaching, and guidance for such deserving and talented women in our field,” Lucas said. “I hope one day, when she accepts her Emmy or Peabody or Oscar, that she fondly remembers that Hallmark Media gave her that first shot…and then she pays it forward.”
The first movie in the series premiered as part of the 2023 Countdown to Christmas lineup. Dream Moms starred Tamera Mowry-Housley as a stay-at-home mom who gets a second chance at Broadway stardom. The movie was directed by Jessica Harmon, who was shadowed by Crystal Lowe.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Lowe was joined on the set by her Signed, Sealed, Delivered co-star Kristin Booth, who also appears in Shifting Gears.
“This woman,” Lowe wrote. “Through thick and thin and ups and downs my @kristintbooth one of the stars of #shiftinggears.”
Booth responded in the comments section with, “God I love you! I am so dang proud of you. You set your sights on your dream of directing many years ago and I was witness to both the conception of that dream and the birth!! I’m so honored to have been by your side and to watch you soar!! Can’t wait to see what you do next Wonder Woman!!”
Fans of Signed, Sealed, Delivered are still waiting to hear when they can expect a new installation in the series. At a recent press event, Hallmark exec Lisa Hamilton-Daly told a Variety reporter to “standby” when she was asked about a new Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
“The Signed, Sealed, Delivered fans are all over me every day,” said Hamilto-Daly, who is executive vice president of programming at Hallmark Media. “I love it, I hear them.”
Cobra Kai’s Martin Kove shows softer side in new romantic comedy for Hallmark
“Mean guy” Martin Kove will show fans his sensitive side the new Hallmark romance A Taste of Love. Kove co-stars with Erin Cahill and his real-life son Jesse Kove as a chef in danger of losing his restaurant.
The actor, who is well-known for playing hard-nosed karate instructor John Kreese in the Karate Kid and Cobra Kai franchises, said he enjoyed getting to play a nice guy.
“I really enjoy playing the nice guy. I mean, I cry at supermarket openings,” he told Niagara Frontier Publications. “You know, everybody always thinks (I’m a bad guy) because of The Karate Kid character and Rambo and all the tough guys I played. I enjoy playing characters like this one in Taste of Love. I like playing romantic and soft things, where I can emote.”
New Hallmark romance
Kove co-stars with Erin Cahill in the new movie, which will premiere on Presidents’ Day. In A Taste of Love, Erin Cahill plays Taylor Green, a Culinary Network star who is stuck in a rut as a cheesy cook on a show called “Quick, Easy and Delicious.” When the network rejects an idea she has for a new show, Taylor decides to return home to visit her father (played by Martin Kove) and sort out her future before making any permanent career decisions.
When she arrives in her hometown, she runs into her high-school sweetheart, Jacob (played by Jesse Kove), and finds she still has feelings for him. But her attention becomes diverted when she finds out her family’s restaurant is in danger of closing.
Taylor devises a plan to rekindle her father’s passion for cooking by entering them in the town’s annual Sugar Festival cooking competition. While rediscovering her passion for food, Taylor is forced to choose between her budding relationship with Jacob, saving the family’s restaurant, and her dream career.
Cahill, who also produced the movie, posted on Instagram to promote the premiere.
“Doing this movie with @jessekove @martinkove and the rest of this wonderful cast and crew was such a gift to my life!” she wrote. “And thanks to the incomparable @lincoln_lageson this was the first movie I got to cut my teeth being a producer on! I learned so much and I’m forever grateful for this beautiful experience. I hope you all enjoy this sweet one, and I can’t wait to hear what you think!”
About the cast
In a career that has spanned decades, Martin Kove has appeared in Cagney & Lacey, The Incredible Hulk, Kojak, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Diagnosis Murder. He is currently starring in the Netflix series Cobra Kai.
Erin Cahill has starred in the Hallmark movies Christmas on Cherry Tree Lane (2023), Hearts in the Game (2023), Christmas Bedtime Stories (2022), Every Time a Bell Rings (2021), A Timeless Christmas (2020), and The Secret Ingredient (2020).
A librarian finds true love in new Hallmark movie
A librarian finds true love when she wakes up inside her favorite Jane Austen novel in the new Hallmark romance An American in Austen. The film, which will premiere this weekend on Hallmark Channel, stars Eliza Bennett, Nicholas Bishop, and Nell Barlow.
New Hallmark romance
In An American in Austen, Eliza Bennett stars as Harriet, a librarian who believes no one can ever live up to the character of Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
When her boyfriend proposes to her, she is so overwhelmed that she flees. She falls asleep on the car ride home and wakes up in the novel Pride and Prejudice. She befriends her literary hero Elizabeth Bennett (played by Nell Barlow) and the rest of the Bennett family and wows them with her uncanny knack for predicting what will happen next. Soon, her peculiar behavior beguiles none other than Mr. Darcy (Nicholas Bishop) himself.
As Harriet’s presence disrupts the story she loves most, she starts to question the fantasies she once held of Regency-Era life. Harriet must choose between this unexpected chance at love with the man she’s always dreamed of or her imperfect life back in the real world.
Jane Austen February
Hallmark announced late last year that all five new movies premiering during the month of February would have a Jane Austen theme.
“Jane Austen’s stories are timeless and continue to resonate with readers and viewers of all ages,” said Lisa Hamilton Daly, executive vice president of programming at Hallmark Media. “Our movies will bring her beloved characters to life in fresh, new ways and honor the many women who continue to be inspired by them.”
About the cast
Eliza Bennett played Amanda Carrington in Dynasty. She has also appeared on the shows Broadchurch, This Is Us, Sweet/Vicious, and The Conners.
Nicholas Bishop starred in the HBO series Industry. He has had roles in the movies Lady Chatterley’s Lover and The Critic. Bishop starred alongside Alexa PenaVega in the 2023 Hallmark movie A Paris Proposal.
Luke Macfarlane solves a murder in new movie
Luke Macfarlane plays a detective who needs the help of a famous actress to solve a murder in the new movie Crimetime: Freefall. Lyndie Greenwood will co-star in the mystery, which will premiere on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.
Greenwood promoted the film on Instagram from the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour.
“I’m honored to be part of this Hallmark family,” she wrote in the caption of a photo. “There are some incredible new projects on their way to you soon — not to mention my new movie CrimeTime: Freefall, which airs Feb 23 on Hallmark Mystery. I can’t wait for y’all to see it!!”
New movie
In Crimetime: Freefall, Greenwood plays Hadley Warner, a famous crime series actress who finds herself at a loss when her show is canceled. She decides to move her family from Los Angeles to the small town of Mystic, Colo. But her attempt to lead a quiet life goes horribly wrong when a body falls from the sky and lands in her backyard.
Unable to resist solving the murder, Hadley begins using the skills she used playing a detective to figure out whodunnit. Though her attempts to help are at first rejected by the local detective assigned to the case (played by Macfarlane), he soon realizes she is a big help. As the two work together, he begins to develop feelings for her.
About the cast
Lyndie Greenwood has appeared in the TV shows Flashpoint, Being Erica, Covert Affairs, Saving Hope, Degrassi: The Next Generation, S.W.A.T., and Sleepy Hollow. She has starred in the Hallmark movies Every Time a Bell Rings (2021), Girlfriendship (2022), and Magic in Mistletoe (2023).
Luke Macfarlane
From 2006 to 2011, Luke Macfarlane played Scotty Wandell on the ABC series Brothers & Sisters. He has also appeared on Beauty & the Beast, Iron Road, Supergirl, and Mercy Street.
Macfarlane has starred in the Hallmark movies Christmas Land (2015), The Mistletoe Promise (2016), A Birthday Wish (2017), Karen Kingsbury’s Maggie’s Christmas Miracle (2017), A Shoe Addict’s Christmas (2018), Just Add Romance (2019), Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen (2019), A Valentine’s Match (2020), Chateau Christmas (2020), Taking a Shot at Love (2021), Christmas in My Heart (2021), Moriah’s Lighthouse (2022), A Magical Christmas Village (2022), Notes of Autumn (2023), and Catch Me If You Claus (2023).
Ali Sweeney and Benjamin Ayres find romance in new movie
Ali Sweeney plays a Jane Austen fan who comes face-to-face with her idol in the new movie Love and Jane. Not only does Sweeney get to meet Jane (played by Kendra Anderson), she gets help navigating a romance with Benjamin Ayres.
“I am beyond thrilled to share this movie with you all,” Sweeney wrote in an Instagram post. “I can’t thank you enough for being so supportive of me and these incredibly fun, dynamic and sometimes quirky characters I get to play. The role of Lily is so unique and special to me. I hope you love her as much as I do.”
New movie
In Love and Jane, Sweeney plays Lily, a woman who is so devoted to Jane Austen’s work that she runs a book club dedicated to discussing her work. When Jane Austen suddenly appears in her living room, Lily is shocked but soon turns to her idol for advice.
Jane helps her navigate a tricky situation at work and advises her not to ignore Trevor, the handsome tech billionaire (played by Ayres), she keeps running into.
As romance between Trevor and Lily grows, Lily becomes inspired to finish the novel she shelved years ago. But when Trevor makes a grand gesture that backfires, their love story may not get its happy ending.
Jane Austen
Hallmark announced late last year that all five new movies premiering during the month of February would have a Jane Austen theme.
“Jane Austen’s stories are timeless and continue to resonate with readers and viewers of all ages,” said Lisa Hamilton Daly, executive vice president of programming at Hallmark Media. “Our movies will bring her beloved characters to life in fresh, new ways and honor the many women who continue to be inspired by them.”
The next film to premiere will be An American in Austen, starring Eliza Bennett, Nicholas Bishop, and Nell Barlow. In the movie, Bennett stars as a librarian who wonders if any man could ever live up to the romantic ideals set by Austen’s character Mr. Darcy. She gets to find out for herself when comes face to the face with him.
Finally, Hallmark will debut an adaptation of Sense & Sensibility. Starring Deborah Ayorinde, Bethany Antonia, Dan Jeannotte, and Akil Largie, the movie will be part of Hallmark’s Mahogany series.
A gilded-age heiress is a witness to murder in new Hallmark mystery
Ali Skovbye plays an heiress who witnesses a murder in the new Hallmark movie Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers. The movie, which takes place in Newport, Rhode Island in 1895, also stars Nathan Witte and Brady Cross. It is based on the book by Alyssa Maxwell.
New Hallmark mystery
In Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers, Skovbye stars as Emma Vanderbilt-Cross, a distant relative of Cornelius Vanderbilt and a writer for the Newport Observer. When New York society decamps to Newport for the summer season, Emma prepares to cover various balls and parties for the society pages.
But during a ball at the Vanderbilt’s summer home, the family’s financial advisor is murdered and the prime suspect is Emma’s half-brother Brady (played by James Drew Dean). She decides to take matters into her own hands and sets out to prove her half-brother’s innocence.
With help from local detective Jesse Whyte (played by Danny Griffin) and the household staff, Emma sets out to figure out whodunnit. But as she gets closer to the truth, the murderer goes on the offensive, putting Emma — and everyone who helps her — in danger.
About the location
The movie takes place at The Breakers, the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II. The mansion, which is open to tourists, took two years to build and has more than 70 rooms, including 48 bedrooms. Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers was shot at historical mansions in Victoria, BC.
About the cast
Ali Skovbye plays the teenage version of Tully Hart on the Netflix series Firefly Lane. She has appeared in Hallmark’s Gourmet Detective Mysteries series as Abigail and played Becking Hastings on When Calls the Heart.
Danny Griffin has appeared on the TV shows Fate: The Winx Saga, Get Even, So Awkward, and Free Rein.
Nathan Witte has starred in the Hallmark movies Romance to the Rescue (2022), Cut, Color, Murder (2022), The Nine Kittens of Christmas (2021), A Christmas Treasure (2021), Sealed With a Kiss: Wedding March 6 (2021), and Sweet Carolina (2021).
Laci J. Mailey is unlucky in love in new movie
Chesapeake Shores star Laci J. Mailey plays a woman who is unlucky in love in the new Hallmark romcom Betty’s Bad Luck in Love. The movie, which will premiere this weekend as part of Hallmark Channel’s New Year New Movies lineup, also stars Virgin River’s Marco Grazzini.
In an Instagram post, Grazzini talked about how much fun the cast and crew had making the movie.
“Truth? I’ve never, EVER, had so much fun filming like I did on this one. The perfect storm of script, director/producers & fellow castmates, where every energy was pulling in the same direction — a big ol’ laugh. And yes it’s got a lot of rom to go with the com,” he wrote in the caption.
New Hallmark romance
In Betty’s Bad Luck in Love, Laci J. Mailey stars as Betty, who believes a curse placed upon her in childhood is the reason for all her failed relationships.
After a long series of calamitous relationships that always ended in disaster for her boyfriends, Betty stopped dating entirely. She has taken to playing it safe, focusing on her career while she helps to plan her best friend’s wedding.
Marco Grazzini plays Alex, a danger-seeking news photographer who becomes intrigued by Betty and asks her on a date. With encouragement from her friend, Betty decides to face her fears and go out with him. As the two spend time together — and nothing bad happens to Alex — Betty begins to wonder if she really is cursed.
But then Alex falls down a set of stairs and Betty becomes determined to track down the person who cursed her when she was a little girl.
Laci J. Mailey
From 2016 to 2022, Laci J. Mailey starred on the Hallmark series Chesapeake Shores. She has also appeared in the TV shows Falling Skies, Supernatural, iZombie, The Magicians, and Hudson & Rex.
Marco Grazzini
Marco Grazzini plays Mike Valenzuela on the TV series Virgin River. He has appeared in the movies A Taste of Summer (2019), A Valentine’s Match (2020), Christmas Unwrapped (2020), Lonestar Christmas (2020), Designing Christmas (2022), Hearts in the Game (2023), and Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major (2023).
New Hallmark mystery set on a remote island
The scariest part of the new Hallmark mystery movie Mystery Island is that it takes place on a remote island with NO CELL SERVICE.
If that isn’t terrifying enough, there is also a murder.
New Hallmark mystery
In Mystery Island, Elizabeth Henstridge stars as Dr. Emilia Priestly, a noted British criminal psychiatrist. When her friend, Baroness Jane Alcott (played by Kezia Burrows) insists she take some time off, Priestly agrees to accompany the baroness on a trip to a mystery-themed resort island.
When she arrives, she discovers the no cell service rule and comes face-to-face with the resort’s eccentric owner, John Murtaugh (Robert Getman). In the resort’s inaugural weekend, the guests are supposed to solve a pretend murder.
But when the guests discover the owner dead, the game is halted and the entire island is shut down so that police can investigate.
Solving a mystery
Though Emilia is at the resort to relax, she soon puts her investigative skills to use and joins forces with the handsome local detective (played by Charlie Weber) who has been sent out to solve the case.
“The lines between game and reality are blurred as they unravel the web of romance, revenge, and betrayal behind the resort, its guests, and its elusive founder,” reads a synopsis from the network.
This is the fourth new mystery Hallmark has debuted this year. In May, Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp starred in The Dancing Detective: Deadly Tango. Tamera Mowry-Housley played a conductor who solves a mystery at an Irish boarding school in Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major. And Jodie Sweetin starred in The Jane Mysteries: Inheritance Lost.
Elizabeth Henstridge
Elizabeth Henstridge got her start on the British TV series Hollyoaks. She appeared in the movies Gangs of Tooting Broadway (2013), Reach Me (2014), and Wolves at the Door (2016). She has starred in the TV shows Ultimate Spider-Man, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Suspicion.
In 2019, she co-starred with Ryan Paevey in the Countdown to Christmas rom-com Christmas at the Plaza.
Charlie Weber
Charlie Weber moved to New York at the age of 19 to study acting. He worked as a model before being cast in the Greg Berlanti film The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy.
He appeared on How to Get Away With Murder, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Drew Carey Show, Charmed, Veronica Mars, House, Burn Notice, Bones, Warehouse 13, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
He also starred in the movies The Locksmith, As They Made Us, After We Collided, and Coyote Lake.
In 2022 he made his Hallmark debut in the movie Christmas Bedtime Stories.
Mystery Island will premiere on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries on Friday, September 29 at 9/8c.
Grey’s Anatomy star Sarah Drew will headline new Hallmark movie
Sarah Drew will star in the new Hallmark movie Guiding Emily. The drama, which will premiere on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, also features Will and Grace star Eric McCormack.
In an Instagram post, Drew shared a photo and a plot summary of the movie, telling fans they might want to have some tissues on hand when they watch it.
“This moving film is based on a book by Barbara Hinske,” she wrote. “I play Emily Main who loses her sight after a rock climbing accident and must learn to navigate her life without sight. The story is about finding hope in the midst of tremendous loss. You’ll need tissues for this one.”
New Hallmark movie
In the new Hallmark movie Guiding Emily, Sarah Drew stars as a woman who loses her sight following a rock-climbing accident and struggles to adjust to her new reality.
Eric McCormack voices the character of Garth, a dog who is struggling with the rigorous training it takes to be a guide dog.
Emily and Garth are paired up and, according to a synopsis from Hallmark, “With Garth by her side Emily takes on her biggest challenge yet, opening her heart.”
Facebook watch party
On her website, author Barbara Hinske told fans she would be hosting a live watch party on her Facebook page.
“Join me live on my Facebook page as I watch Guiding Emily for the first time on September 8 at 6:00P, 9/8C on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries,” she wrote. “I’ll share tidbits from my time on location during filming and answer reader questions.”
About the cast
Sarah Drew plays Dr. April Kepner on the series Grey’s Anatomy. She has also appeared on the TV shows Law and Order: SVU, Supernatural, Castle, and Mad Men.
Drew co-starred with Niall Matter in the Lifetime movie Christmas Pen Pals and starred opposite Brennan Elliott in the Hallmark movie Christmas in Vienna.
Eric McCormack starred as Will Truman on the TV series Will & Grace. He has had roles on the TV shows American Dad, The Andromeda Strain, Monk, and The New Adventures of Old Christine. In 2016, he co-starred with Kristin Davis and Shirley MacLaine in the Hallmark movie A Heavenly Christmas.
Antonio Cupo played Quin Andronicus in the Garage Sale Mysteries. He has also starred in the Hallmark movies A Glenbrooke Christmas (2020) and Christmas at the Golden Dragon.
Guiding Emily will premiere on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries on Friday, September 8 at 9/8c.
Everything you need to know about the new Hallmark movie Family History Mysteries: Buried Past
The new Hallmark movie Family History Mysteries: Buried Past will premiere this weekend as part of the January lineup on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. The film stars Janel Parrish and Niall Matter and offers a new twist on the typical whodunit-cozy-mystery typically featured on the network. In this movie, the detective must solve a mystery to keep a man alive.
New Hallmark movie
In Family History Mysteries: Buried Past, Parrish stars as Sophie McClaren, a genealogist who is an expert at digging up the past and bringing families together. When her friend Jonathan (played by Morgan David Jones) urgently needs to find a bone marrow donor, it brings his twin brother (and Sophie’s old flame) Jackson (Niall Matter) back into her life. With Jackson’s help, Sophie must use her skills to track down the brothers’ long-lost birth father, a man they never even knew existed, in time to save Jonathan’s life. Ultimately, growing closer to Jackson on this search gives Sophie the push to finally explore the mystery of her own adoption.
The movie is based loosely on the Family History Mystery book series by author Brynn Bonner. It is being produced by Hallmark star Nikki DeLoach.
About the cast
Janel Parrish starred in movies for the Disney Channel and appeared in the TV shows Zoey 101, Pretty Little Liars, and Magnum, PI. She made her Hallmark debut in the 2020 Christmas drama Holly & Ivy. In an interview to promote the movie, she said her mother was thrilled that she was working with Hallmark.
“My mom is Hallmark Christmas movies’ No. 1 fan,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “It’s on all day, every day, no matter what we’re doing. She’d always ask me, ‘When are you going to do one?’ I’d said, ‘Whenever they call me, I will do one.’ So she’s over the moon about me doing this movie.”
She also starred in the 2021 Countdown to Christmas movie Coyote Christmas alongside Ryan Paevey.
Niall Matter has appeared in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries as Nick Miller. He also starred in the Hallmark Channel movies Stop the Wedding with Alan Thicke and Rachel Boston and Frozen in Love”with Rachael Leigh Cook. On Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, Matter played Ian in Finding Father Christmas, Engaging Father Christmas, and Marrying Father Christmas.
Canceled mystery series
In the past two years, Hallmark has canceled three of its mystery series. The stars of the Hailey Dean, Picture Perfect, and Matchmaker Mysteries series told fans on social media that Hallmark wouldn’t be making any more of these movies.
“Just found out that Hailey Dean is done at Hallmark,” Kellie Martin wrote on Twitter. “Really sad and sorry to report.
Danica McKellar, who stars in the Matchmaker Mysteries series, broke the news in response to a fan asking when the next movie was coming out.
Alexa PenaVega let fans know about the Picture Perfect series in a post on her Instagram stories. When a fan asked if another movie would be coming out, she said no.
“Sadly, no,” she said. “The mysteries have come to an end. But it was so much fun, such a good run, and we’re really proud of what we made.”
New mysteries
Hallmark has introduced several new mysteries this year, including Cut, Color, Murder, starring Julie and Ryan McPartlin; Francesca Quinn, PI, starring Mallory Jansen and Dylan Bruce; Nikki & Nora: Sister Sleuths, starring Hunter King and Rhiannon Fish; and Curious Caterer: Dying For Chocolate, starring Andrew Walker and Nikki DeLoach.
Family History Mysteries: Buried Past will premiere on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries on Sunday, January 8 at 7/6c.
Erin Krakow would love to make a sequel to the Hallmark movie It Was Always You
Hallmark star Erin Krakow told a fan she would love to make a sequel to her 2021 movie It Was Always You.
In a post on Twitter, a fan asked Krakow, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how much would you love to do a sequel to It Was Always You?”
Krakow responded with a GIF featuring the character El from Stranger Things (played by Mille Bobby Brown) giving a big grin. She also tagged her It Was Always You co-star Tyler Hynes.
The Hallmark movie It Was Always You
The Hallmark movie It was Always You premiered in February 2021 on Hallmark Channel as part of its Love Ever After programming event.
The film starred Erin Krakow as Elizabeth, a straight-laced, type-A woman trying to plan her upcoming wedding. When a storm causes her fiancé to get stranded on the other side of town, Elizabeth is left trying to finish her mammoth to-do list with the help of her fiancé’s brother, David (played by Tyler Hynes).
The two are polar opposites, personality-wise, and yet as they work together to get ready for the wedding, it becomes clear they have more in person than they thought. When romantic sparks begin to fly, Elizabeth must decide if she is making the right choices in her life.
The movie was a hit when it premiered. Fans especially loved the chemistry between Krakow and Hynes.
A sequel with Krakow and Hynes
Fans loved the onscreen pair so much that one even started a change.org petition to get Krakow and Hynes in more movies together.
Krakow rose to fame playing school teacher Elizabeth Thornton on Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart. She has also starred in a number of romantic comedies for the network, including A Cookie Cutter Christmas (2014), Finding Father Christmas (2016), Engaging Father Christmas (2017), Marrying Father Christmas (2018), A Summer Romance (2019), and Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen (2019).
Hynes is also a Hallmark favorite. He has starred in the Hallmark movies Falling For You (2018), It’s Christmas, Eve (2018), Wedding March 5: My Boyfriend’s Back (2019), The Mistletoe Secret (2019), On the 12th Date of Christmas (2020), Sweet Carolina (2021), Roadhouse Romance (2021), My Christmas Family Tree (2021), An Unexpected Christmas (2021), Time For Him to Come Home For Christmas (2022), and the wildly successful Three Wise Men and a Baby (2022).
A new Hallmark mystery starring Niall Matter and Janel Parrish is coming to TV
A new Hallmark mystery is coming to TV. Family History Mysteries: Buried Past will premiere on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries in January 2023. The movie will star Niall Matter and Janel Parrish.
“What I’ve been up to,” wrote Parrish in an Instagram post, “and what a joy it was.”
New Hallmark mystery
In Family History Mysteries: Buried Past, Parrish stars as Sophie McClaren, a genealogist who is an expert at digging up the past and bringing families together. When her friend Jonathan (played by Morgan David Jones) urgently needs to find a bone marrow donor, it brings his twin brother (and Sophie’s old flame) Jackson (Niall Matter) back into her life. With Jackson’s help, Sophie must use her skills to track down the brothers’ long-lost birth father, a man they never even knew existed, in time to save Jonathan’s life. Ultimately, growing closer to Jackson on this search gives Sophie the push to finally explore the mystery of her own adoption.
The movie is based loosely on the Family History Mystery book series by author Brynn Bonner. It is being produced by Hallmark star Nikki DeLoach.
Hallmark has introduced several new mysteries this year, including Cut, Color, Murder, starring Julie and Ryan McPartlin; Francesca Quinn, PI, starring Mallory Jansen and Dylan Bruce; Nikki & Nora: Sister Sleuths, starring Hunter King and Rhiannon Fish; and Curious Caterer: Dying For Chocolate, starring Andrew Walker and Nikki DeLoach.
Janel Parrish and Niall Matter
Janel Parrish starred in movies for the Disney Channel and appeared in the TV shows Zoey 101, Pretty Little Liars, and Magnum, PI. She made her Hallmark debut in the 2020 Christmas drama Holly & Ivy.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the actress said her mother was thrilled when she got the part.
“My mom is Hallmark Christmas movies’ No. 1 fan,” she said. “It’s on all day, every day, no matter what we’re doing. She’d always ask me, ‘When are you going to do one?’ I’d said, ‘Whenever they call me, I will do one.’ So she’s over the moon about me doing this movie.”
She also starred in the 2021 Countdown to Christmas movie Coyote Christmas alongside Ryan Paevey.
Niall Matter has appeared in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries as Nick Miller. He also starred in the Hallmark Channel movies “Stop the Wedding,” with Alan Thicke and Rachel Boston, and “Frozen in Love” with Rachael Leigh Cook. On Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, Matter played Ian in “Finding Father Christmas,” “Engaging Father Christmas,” and “Marrying Father Christmas.”
Danica McKellar will put her dancing skills to use in a new film for Great American Family
Actress Danica McKellar says she will put her dancing skills to use in a new film for Great American Family.
“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 during an interview with The List. “I haven’t done a lot of dancing since ‘Dancing with the Stars’ several years ago, but I love it. And it’s just a fantastic fun exercise and art form all at once.”
McKellar, who recently moved to Tennessee with her family (read all about it here), made headlines when she announced that she had signed an exclusive contract with Great American Family, a new network started by Hallmark Media’s former CEO Bill Abbott. As part of the deal, she will star in and executive produce four movies for the company.
Her most recent movie, Christmas at the Drive-In, is playing during the Great American Christmas lineup.
The actress said there’s nothing better than making romantic, feel-good films for viewers.
“Romantic comedies go all year round,” she said. “And I think what audiences love about Christmas is this feeling of nostalgia and family and traditions and warm fuzziness. Really, what we want is that warm fuzziness.”
Making the switch
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.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the actress said she was excited when Bill Abbott approached her about working for Great American Family.
“So when he was getting ready to launch this new network, I was thrilled that he reached out to me to sign a multi-picture deal as an actress and executive producer,” she said.
New network, new role
McKellar said she having a lot of fun in her new role at Great American Family.
“I’m executive producing and acting in these movies, and I have a little bit more creative say,” she said. “And so, it was really fun to be more hands-on and helping to make more creative decisions, not just in the script, but also just random things, like the props or whatever, just being more involved.”
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Erin Cahill and Wes Brown find true love in new autumn Hallmark romance movie
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Lori Loughlin returns to TV in new movie for Great American Media
Former Hallmark star Lori Loughlin returns to TV in January in a new movie for Great American Media. The When Calls the Heart star will headline Fall Into Winter for the new network, which was started by Hallmark’s former CEO.
“Lori is a genre-defining star that I have had the honor to call a close friend and collaborator for more than 15 years,” said Great American Media CEO Bill Abbott in a statement. “We have a shared vision for creating meaningful and memorable movies that resonate with our passionate fans, and I look forward to welcoming her back to Great American Family to anchor our 2023 winter programming slate.”
Lori Loughlin returns
Loughlin has largely been absent from the small screen following her involvement in a college admissions bribery scandal. In March of 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts charged 50 people with falsifying their children’s test scores and athletic abilities to gain admission to top universities. Both Loughlin and her husband, J. Mossimo Giannulli, pleaded guilty to charges of wire and mail fraud. She served two months in prison, paid a $150,000 fine, and was ordered to complete 150 hours of community service.
Following her star role on the ABC sitcom Full House, Loughlin starred as widow Abigail Stanton on the popular Hallmark series When Calls the Heart for five seasons. She was in the middle of shooting Season 6 when news of the scandal broke. The show took a month-long hiatus as writers and producers decided what to do with her character. They eventually wrote her out of the show.
But series co-creator Brian Bird later said he would love to bring Lori back.
“If anyone should return to Hope Valley, it should be Abigail,” he said in a June 2021 interview.
He got his wish in a roundabout way. In December 2021, Loughlin played Stanton in a Christmas special for When Hope Calls, a spinoff series of When Calls the Heart. The special was produced not by Hallmark but by Great American Family.
‘America’s Sweetheart’
Great American Media was founded by Abbott following his departure from Hallmark Media in 2020. The company launched two new channels, Great American Family and Great American Living.
The company has already produced more than a dozen made-for-TV romantic comedies and has many more in the works.
Fall Into Winter is slated for a January premiere. In the movie, Loughlin plays Keely, who is aghast when her brother sells his half of their family-owned, upscale candy shop to his best friend from high school, Brooks. Keely and Brooks have never been able to get along, but they are forced to work together in order to save the business. It’s possible romantic sparks will fly.
In an interview with Variety, Abbott called Loughlin “America’s sweetheart.”
“At the end of the day, she represents all that is positive about entertainment, and has had a stellar career,” he said. “Not only on screen, but also the way she’s conducted herself personally, in terms of being someone who has a track record of doing the right thing in the world at large, aside from whatever happened. I don’t know the details. She’s beloved and for good reason.”
New Hallmark movie South Beach Love was based on a book by Caridad Piñeiro
(Image: Crown Media)
Writing for Hallmark was a dream come true for author Caridad Piñeiro
Even best-selling authors can become star-struck. When Caridad Piñeiro first heard that Hallmark was interested in collaborating with her on a project, she began fangirling big-time.
“My agent asked me if I was interested,” Piñeiro said during an appearance on the Hallmarkies Podcast. “I said, ‘I’m really, really interested.’”
Piñeiro wrote the novel South Beach Love, released by Hallmark Publishing in May 2021. The book has been adapted into a film that will air Saturday, October 9 as part of the network’s Fall Harvest event.
While the story includes the typical features of any Hallmark movie — romance, family-friendly content, a happy ending — South Beach Love is a little bit different.
“Hallmark has done a great job of increasing their diversity,” said Piñeiro, a native of Cuba. “So I said, ‘Why not set the story in Miami?’”
Not only was the location a change from the typical snowy backdrop of many Hallmark movies, but it also ensured that Latino culture would be woven into the plot, she said.
Love and rivalry
In the story, two rival teenage girls are holding their quinceañeras the same weekend. One enlists the help of her uncle, Tony Sanchez, a local boy who made it big as a chef in New York City, to cater her event.
The other hires Sara Kelly, who is hoping to promote her family’s restaurant. Sara turns to her sister-in-law for help making traditional Cuban food.
The two chefs begin competing for a chance to be featured in a magazine, but they can’t deny their attraction to each other.
In the film, Tony is played by William Levy and Sara is played by Taylor Cole. Ariel Yasmine and Giselle Torres play the birthday girls.
Trying different things
During the Hallmarkies interview, Piñeiro talked about writing her first book in fifth grade. The teacher assigned everyone the task of putting together a 20-page book. Piñeiro’s came in at 120 pages, typed with help from her mother.
“I was hooked,” she said.
Piñeiro continued to write during college and law school, and during her commutes to New York City where she worked as an attorney for many years.
In 1999, she published the first in a series of Latino romance novels. She then turned her attention to the world of the paranormal, helping Silhouette launch its successful Nocturne line with the first of her vampire romance series The Calling.
After conquering those genres, she turned her attention to cultural experiences, launching the Chicas series of books, published by Simon & Schuster’s Downtown Press.
Piñeiro, who has sold more than a million copies of her books worldwide, said she has also written another piece for Hallmark, a Christmas story, which she is still waiting to hear about.
The author, whose website can be found here, will be interacting with fans on social media before and during the premiere of South Beach Love on Saturday.