Hallmark Channel is planning ahead. Next month, the network will begin production on their first holiday movie of 2023.
“A Biltmore Christmas,” led by Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha, will film entirely on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, a national historic landmark known for its classic holiday traditions. Dustin Rikert serves as executive producer with Andrew Gernhard producing. John Putch directs the script, written by Marcy Holland.
“Each year we look for ways to create exciting, new holiday viewing experiences for our audience,” says Samantha Dipippo, senior vice president of development and programming at Hallmark Media. “We know fans will love being transported back in time and the iconic, beautiful Biltmore Estate is the perfect setting to help fans get into the holiday spirit.”
Lenz, best known for her role on “One Tree Hill,” has starred in many movies for Hallmark through the years, including “Poinsettias for Christmas...
“A Biltmore Christmas,” led by Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha, will film entirely on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, a national historic landmark known for its classic holiday traditions. Dustin Rikert serves as executive producer with Andrew Gernhard producing. John Putch directs the script, written by Marcy Holland.
“Each year we look for ways to create exciting, new holiday viewing experiences for our audience,” says Samantha Dipippo, senior vice president of development and programming at Hallmark Media. “We know fans will love being transported back in time and the iconic, beautiful Biltmore Estate is the perfect setting to help fans get into the holiday spirit.”
Lenz, best known for her role on “One Tree Hill,” has starred in many movies for Hallmark through the years, including “Poinsettias for Christmas...
- 12/20/2022
- by Emily Longeretta
- Variety Film + TV
A holiday-themed romantic comedy centered on gay men is coming to Netflix from Michael Mayer, the Tony Award-winning director of the Broadway sensation “Spring Awakening.”
In a genre that has seen increased calls for inclusion, the ensemble project “Single All the Way” boasts beloved actors of pop culture sensations past and a pedigreed filmmaking team.
Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers and Luke MacFarlane will serve as leads, with supporting turns from Barry Bostwick, Jennifer Robertson, Jennifer Coolidge and Kathy Najimy.
Desperate to avoid his family’s judgment about his perpetual single status, Peter (Urie) convinces his best friend Nick (Chambers) to join him for the holidays and pretend that they’re now in a relationship. But when Peter’s mother sets him up on a blind date with her handsome trainer James (MacFarlane), the plan goes awry.
Mayer, whose credits also include NBC’s “Smash,” will direct from a script by...
In a genre that has seen increased calls for inclusion, the ensemble project “Single All the Way” boasts beloved actors of pop culture sensations past and a pedigreed filmmaking team.
Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers and Luke MacFarlane will serve as leads, with supporting turns from Barry Bostwick, Jennifer Robertson, Jennifer Coolidge and Kathy Najimy.
Desperate to avoid his family’s judgment about his perpetual single status, Peter (Urie) convinces his best friend Nick (Chambers) to join him for the holidays and pretend that they’re now in a relationship. But when Peter’s mother sets him up on a blind date with her handsome trainer James (MacFarlane), the plan goes awry.
Mayer, whose credits also include NBC’s “Smash,” will direct from a script by...
- 3/23/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
For many of us, the 2020 version of the holidays is going to be a more homebound one than usual. What better time to build your physical-media collection with DVDs, Blu-rays, and books to help keep the season bright?
Blu-ray debuts
This year saw the first release of several Christmas favorites on Blu-ray, from Paul Feig’s 2019 sleeper hit “Last Christmas” (Universal Home Entertainment) to the first North American hi-def releases of the moving and funny anime classic “Tokyo Godfathers” (Gkids/Shout Factory), a contemporary adaptation of the Christmas-set Western tale “3 Godfathers,” and the all-star WWII drama “A Midnight Clear” (Shout Selects). The latter, a 1992 adaptation of the William Wharton novel from writer-director Keith Gordon, features a cast of up-and-coming actors who would eventually become filmmakers themselves, including Ethan Hawke, Peter Berg, Frank Whaley, and Gary Sinise.
Stone-cold classics
Bedford Falls never looked so good: Paramount Home Entertainment offers “It’s a Wonderful Life...
Blu-ray debuts
This year saw the first release of several Christmas favorites on Blu-ray, from Paul Feig’s 2019 sleeper hit “Last Christmas” (Universal Home Entertainment) to the first North American hi-def releases of the moving and funny anime classic “Tokyo Godfathers” (Gkids/Shout Factory), a contemporary adaptation of the Christmas-set Western tale “3 Godfathers,” and the all-star WWII drama “A Midnight Clear” (Shout Selects). The latter, a 1992 adaptation of the William Wharton novel from writer-director Keith Gordon, features a cast of up-and-coming actors who would eventually become filmmakers themselves, including Ethan Hawke, Peter Berg, Frank Whaley, and Gary Sinise.
Stone-cold classics
Bedford Falls never looked so good: Paramount Home Entertainment offers “It’s a Wonderful Life...
- 11/24/2020
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Kristoffer Polaha has entered into a deal with Rosewind Books to co-author a series of romance novels, Variety has learned exclusively.
The first in the series, entitled “Moments Like This,” is set in Hawaii and centers on a young woman looking to find herself after losing both her career and her relationship. It will be published February 2, 2021 through Rosewind, which is a devision of Vesuvian Media Group, Inc. Polaha is writing this series with Anna Gomez, who has previously published under the pen name Christine Brae. The release dates for the subsequent books will be announced at a later date.
“It’s a rare thing, when someone comes along who understands your words and the purpose of your work. Together, my passion for storytelling and Kristoffer’s vision to bring these characters to life, makes this such a great partnership. For this, I am extremely grateful,” said Gomez in a statement.
The first in the series, entitled “Moments Like This,” is set in Hawaii and centers on a young woman looking to find herself after losing both her career and her relationship. It will be published February 2, 2021 through Rosewind, which is a devision of Vesuvian Media Group, Inc. Polaha is writing this series with Anna Gomez, who has previously published under the pen name Christine Brae. The release dates for the subsequent books will be announced at a later date.
“It’s a rare thing, when someone comes along who understands your words and the purpose of your work. Together, my passion for storytelling and Kristoffer’s vision to bring these characters to life, makes this such a great partnership. For this, I am extremely grateful,” said Gomez in a statement.
- 6/1/2020
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of this time of year.
It's cold and wet and people tend to get sick. I get the need to celebrate. I actually love to celebrate.
As a Jew, I celebrate all the time and I'm not even talking about Chanukah. In fact, I'm going to let you in on a secret; Chanukah is a very minor holiday.
Jews have so many holidays throughout the year, i.e., Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchah Torah, Tu B'Shvat, Purim, Pesach, Shavuot, etc.
Chanukah is one of our smaller ones.
Sure, it's fun. The food is not half bad if you aren't on a diet and the presents are nice, but it isn't so big a deal in comparison to some of our bigger holidays.
Falling around the biggest commercial holiday of the secular world, i.e., Christmas, non-Jews got this idea that Chanukah was Jewish Christmas,...
It's cold and wet and people tend to get sick. I get the need to celebrate. I actually love to celebrate.
As a Jew, I celebrate all the time and I'm not even talking about Chanukah. In fact, I'm going to let you in on a secret; Chanukah is a very minor holiday.
Jews have so many holidays throughout the year, i.e., Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchah Torah, Tu B'Shvat, Purim, Pesach, Shavuot, etc.
Chanukah is one of our smaller ones.
Sure, it's fun. The food is not half bad if you aren't on a diet and the presents are nice, but it isn't so big a deal in comparison to some of our bigger holidays.
Falling around the biggest commercial holiday of the secular world, i.e., Christmas, non-Jews got this idea that Chanukah was Jewish Christmas,...
- 12/23/2019
- by Leora W
- TVfanatic
Carly Pope and Kristoffer Polaha star in tonight's Double Holiday on Hallmark Channel.
Written by Nina Weinman, who has almost two dozen successful television movies on her resume, Double Holiday follows Rebecca, a successful Jewish woman working on her company's Christmas party with Chris in the hope that it leads to a promotion.
Carly and Kris took precious time out of their busy schedules to talk about the movie and a whole lot of other issues including their love for some of their most cherished programming from the past.
Both actors impressed with their kindness and a desire to make the world a better place to live. On Carly's part, she's focusing on using her commitment to entertainment that helps move the bar toward more inclusion and societal progression.
Kris enjoys bringing smiles to the faces of his fans with his roles from his work with Hallmark to his role in the 2014 feature film,...
Written by Nina Weinman, who has almost two dozen successful television movies on her resume, Double Holiday follows Rebecca, a successful Jewish woman working on her company's Christmas party with Chris in the hope that it leads to a promotion.
Carly and Kris took precious time out of their busy schedules to talk about the movie and a whole lot of other issues including their love for some of their most cherished programming from the past.
Both actors impressed with their kindness and a desire to make the world a better place to live. On Carly's part, she's focusing on using her commitment to entertainment that helps move the bar toward more inclusion and societal progression.
Kris enjoys bringing smiles to the faces of his fans with his roles from his work with Hallmark to his role in the 2014 feature film,...
- 12/21/2019
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
When writer Nina Weinman heard Hallmark wanted to include Hanukkah in their annual “Countdown to Christmas” original movie slate for the 2019 holiday season, she was thrilled. Weinman was raised Jewish but now celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas with her own family after marrying a man who is Christian. Weinman’s producing partner, Joel Rice, is also Jewish, and she notes they “enthusiastically threw our hats in the ring” to get the gig.
Their original movie, “Double Holiday,” which premieres Dec. 21, stars Carly Pope as a woman named Rebecca who joins her coworker rival Chris (Kristoffer Polaha) to plan a holiday party at their office. Rebecca is Jewish and is already steeped in celebrating Hanukkah with her family when the party planning begins, causing Chris to spend ample time at her house and learn about her traditions.
“We said everything that I wanted to say about how people celebrate Hanukkah,” Weinman tells Variety of the movie.
Their original movie, “Double Holiday,” which premieres Dec. 21, stars Carly Pope as a woman named Rebecca who joins her coworker rival Chris (Kristoffer Polaha) to plan a holiday party at their office. Rebecca is Jewish and is already steeped in celebrating Hanukkah with her family when the party planning begins, causing Chris to spend ample time at her house and learn about her traditions.
“We said everything that I wanted to say about how people celebrate Hanukkah,” Weinman tells Variety of the movie.
- 12/20/2019
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
This past weekend was a rough one for Hallmark networks.
When they received pressure from special interest groups to pull a commercial from wedding-registry site Zola featuring two women kissing at the altar on their wedding day, they succumbed.
The stressful day didn't only affect those at the corporate level of Hallmark and it's entertainment entities, it also affected the people working on the projects at every level.
And while Hallmark ultimately rescinded their decision and announced a new partnership with Gladd to usher in a new era of programming at their networks, the fallout was still palpable across the organization on Monday.
As you know, I'm a fan of Hallmark's feel-good entertainment and have been covering their series and interviewing the talented people who helm their programming.
Days before the unfortunate situation came to light I had a chance to speak with Carly Pope who will be appearing in...
When they received pressure from special interest groups to pull a commercial from wedding-registry site Zola featuring two women kissing at the altar on their wedding day, they succumbed.
The stressful day didn't only affect those at the corporate level of Hallmark and it's entertainment entities, it also affected the people working on the projects at every level.
And while Hallmark ultimately rescinded their decision and announced a new partnership with Gladd to usher in a new era of programming at their networks, the fallout was still palpable across the organization on Monday.
As you know, I'm a fan of Hallmark's feel-good entertainment and have been covering their series and interviewing the talented people who helm their programming.
Days before the unfortunate situation came to light I had a chance to speak with Carly Pope who will be appearing in...
- 12/17/2019
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
There are three constants you can count on when the holiday season rolls around: lots of food, lots of gifts and lots of Hallmark Christmas movies.
This year, the Hallmark Channel kicked off its 10th Annual Countdown to Christmas on the very early date of Oct. 25, with 40 new festive movies airing across on the network and its sister channel Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. The 2019 lineup features some Hallmark newcomers like Nashville alumna Chaley Rose and Carly Pope (Arrow, Popular); Pope also stars opposite Kristoffer Polaha in Double Holiday (premiering Dec. 21), one of the network’s two new Hanukkah-themed flicks. But of course,...
This year, the Hallmark Channel kicked off its 10th Annual Countdown to Christmas on the very early date of Oct. 25, with 40 new festive movies airing across on the network and its sister channel Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. The 2019 lineup features some Hallmark newcomers like Nashville alumna Chaley Rose and Carly Pope (Arrow, Popular); Pope also stars opposite Kristoffer Polaha in Double Holiday (premiering Dec. 21), one of the network’s two new Hanukkah-themed flicks. But of course,...
- 12/10/2019
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
In today’s roundup, Hallmark announces its “Countdown to Christmas” lineup, including a first look at “A Christmas Love Story,” and Nickelodeon announces a premiere date for “The Loud House” spin-off “The Casagrandes.”
First Looks
Kristin Chenoweth and Scott Wolf star in Hallmark Hall of Fame‘s upcoming holiday film, “A Christmas Love Story,” and Variety has exclusively obtained some first look images of them in their roles. The project, which premieres Dec. 7, also stars Keith Robinson and Kevin Quinn.
Dates
Hallmark announced its full “Countdown to Christmas” lineup, featuring 16 new original movies to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the special programming block. This year, it begins Oct. 26 with the new film “Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses,” starring Jill Wagner, Matthew Davis and Donna Mills. Other new projects on the schedule include “Merry & Bright,” starring Jodie Sweetin, Andrew Walker and Sharon Lawrence, premiering on Nov. 2; “A Christmas Scavenger Hunt,...
First Looks
Kristin Chenoweth and Scott Wolf star in Hallmark Hall of Fame‘s upcoming holiday film, “A Christmas Love Story,” and Variety has exclusively obtained some first look images of them in their roles. The project, which premieres Dec. 7, also stars Keith Robinson and Kevin Quinn.
Dates
Hallmark announced its full “Countdown to Christmas” lineup, featuring 16 new original movies to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the special programming block. This year, it begins Oct. 26 with the new film “Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses,” starring Jill Wagner, Matthew Davis and Donna Mills. Other new projects on the schedule include “Merry & Bright,” starring Jodie Sweetin, Andrew Walker and Sharon Lawrence, premiering on Nov. 2; “A Christmas Scavenger Hunt,...
- 9/4/2019
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
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