Unveiling the Majestic Enchantment of Hallmark Channel’s Leading Ladies: Lacey Chabert, Holly Robinson Peete, and Beyond!
Discover the enchanting leading ladies of Hallmark Channel, including Lacey Chabert, Holly Robinson Peete, and an array of talented stars Your ultimate guide to the network's beloved actresses in captivating roles
The Hallmark Channel has established itself as a go-to destination for holiday movies and charming romantic comedies throughout the years. Fans eagerly tune in to catch a glimpse of their beloved leading ladies, be it Erin Krakow from "When Calls the Heart" or Nikki DeLoach from "Sweet Autumn." The network boasts a multitude of gifted women who skillfully narrate heartwarming tales. Moreover, Hallmark's extensive lineup of mystery movie franchises is spearheaded by strong and determined women like Lacey Chabert in "The Crossword Mysteries" and Holly Robinson Peete in the "Morning Show Mysteries" films.
Chabert has embraced the whirlwind shooting schedule that accompanies every Hallmark movie. She shared exclusively with We in October 2021 about her experience shooting the 2021 holiday feature, Christmas at Castle Hart. "We had a fast-paced schedule for this one. We worked a couple of six-day weeks and then a shorter week," she said. "It's impressive how much we can accomplish in just 15 days. It truly is a collaborative effort, with everyone bringing their talents together. I'm always amazed."
Continue reading for a guide to Hallmark Channel's go-to leading ladies.
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A Guide to Hallmark Channel’s Leading Ladies: Lacey Chabert, Holly Robinson Peete and More
The Hallmark Channel has become the one-stop-shop of holiday movies and light-hearted rom-coms over the years — with many fans tuning in to see their favorite leading ladies.
Hallmark is home to a plethora of talented women who enchant audiences with heartwarming stories, whether it's Erin Krakow from "When Calls the Heart" or Nikki Deloach from "Sweet Autumn." The network also boasts an array of captivating female leads in their mystery movie franchises, such as Lacey Chabert in "The Crossword Mysteries" and Holly Robinson Peete in the "Morning Show Mysteries" films.
Each Hallmark movie comes with a whirlwind shooting schedule, something that Chabert has come to embrace. Speaking exclusively to We in October 2021 about her 2021 holiday feature, "Christmas at Castle Hart," she shared, "We shot this one very quickly. We had a couple of six-day weeks, and then a shorter week." The speed at which they work never ceases to amaze her. She expressed, "It's astounding how much we can accomplish in just 15 days. It truly is a collaborative effort, with everyone bringing their talents together to make it happen. I'm constantly in awe."
Scroll down for your guide to the Hallmark Channel’s go-to leading ladies:
Credit: 2021 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Michael Mc Laughlin
Lacey Chabert
Chabert first appeared on Hallmark in 2010's Elevator Girl. Following that, she starred in Matchmaker Santa, her first holiday film for the network, in 2012. She later became known for her role as Jenny, a baker in the All of My Heart trilogy, where she falls in love with Brian. Chabert and Elliott reunited in 2019 for the first Crossword Mysteries movie and have since collaborated on five more detective films. Chabert continues to make an impact on Hallmark, often starring in holiday films set in various locations worldwide, including Christmas at Castle Hart in 2021 (set in Ireland) and Haul Out the Holly in 2022. In November 2022, she revealed three more films for her Wedding Veil franchise, with the third being filmed in Greece. These movies aired in 2023, coinciding with the debut of her latest franchise, The Dancing Detective, on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
Chabert's top movies include Winter in Vail, Christmas in Rome, All of My Heart: Inn Love, My Secret Valentine, A Royal Christmas, Love, Romance & Chocolate, Christmas at Castle Hart, The Crossword Mysteries series, The Wedding Veil franchise, and The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango.
Hallmark Signature: Often a world traveler, Chabert’s characters are loveable, adventurous and frequently find themselves falling for men of nobility in exotic locations.
Credit: 2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Alexx Henry/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC
Alison Sweeney
Starring as Jenny, a single mother, the Days of Our Lives actress found herself falling for an injured firefighter named Jeff (Greg Vaughan) in the 2013 film Second Chance. Building on this success, she solidified her status as one of the Hallmark Channel's biggest stars by portraying Hannah Swensen in the Murder, She Baked movie mystery series two years later. In 2019, Sweeney took on the role of podcaster Alex McPherson in the Chronicle Mysteries films. When she returned to her beloved character Hannah Swensen in 2021's Sweet Revenge: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, it marked the beginning of a new era of detective films from the network. Adding to her impressive filmography, in 2022 she co-starred in The Wedding Veil trilogy, with three more films scheduled for release in 2023.
Some of Sweeney's most notable movies include The Irresistible Blueberry Farm, Time for You to Come Home for Christmas, Good Morning Christmas!, Murder, She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery, The Chronicles Mysteries: Vines That Bind, Open by Christmas, The Wedding Veil franchise, and the Hannah Swensen Mysteries movies.
Hallmark Signature: While she may come off as a meddler who likes to snoop, Sweeney’s characters usually have a heart of gold and just want to keep everyone safe.
Credit: 2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Allister Foster
Holly Robinson Peete
In 2015, the actress made an appearance as a supporting character in "Angel of Christmas." Two years later, she landed the role of Michelle Lansing in the Christmas in Evergreen film franchise. Since then, Robinson Pete has starred in three more holiday movies for the network, as well as other festive films. In 2019, she started playing TV chef Billie Blessings in the Morning Show Mysteries franchise, alongside Rick Fox as Detective Ian Jackson.
Top Movies: "A Family Christmas Gift," "The Christmas Doctor," "Our Christmas Journey," and "Morning Show Mysteries: Countdown to Murder."
Hallmark Signature: Eye on the prize, Robinson Pete tends to portray hard-working women who aren’t afraid to fight for what they know they deserve.
Credit: 2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Josh Stringer
Nikki DeLoach
The actress, who gained fame from the TV show Awkward, has appeared in a total of 12 movies from 2015 to 2021. She made her debut on the Hallmark Channel with Christmas Land in 2015, portraying a woman who inherits a Christmas tree farm and must decide its fate. Since then, she has taken on various roles, including a struggling diner owner in The Perfect Catch (2017), a widower running a hospital in Love Takes Flight (2019), and a candy shop owner who falls for a local maple farmer in Sweet Autumn (2020). Notably, she teamed up with Andrew Walker for the first film in the A Curious Caterer Mystery franchise on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries in 2022, playing baker Goldy Berry. The franchise expanded in 2023 with the release of two more films.
Some of her top movies include The Perfect Catch, Truly, Madly, Sweetly, Two Turtle Doves, Love to the Rescue, Sweet Autumn, Cranberry Christmas, Taking the Reins, and Dying for Chocolate: A Curious Caterer Mystery.
Hallmark Signature: Portraying single moms with gumption, hidden strengths, and big dreams has become the actress's signature. When she's not playing the mom role, DeLoach's characters are driven and determined.
Credit: Alexx Henry/Crown Media
Jodie Sweetin
The Full House alum had a successful run on Hallmark beginning in 2017 with Finding Santa alongside Eric Winter. She continued her holiday partnership with the network by appearing in Entertaining Christmas in 2018 and Merry & Bright in 2019. In that same year, she made her Hallmark rom-com debut with Love Under the Rainbow. Expanding her Hallmark portfolio further in 2022, she starred in A Cozy Christmas Inn and served as an executive producer on the project. The following year, she took on the leading lady role in The Jane Mysteries: Inheritance Lost on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
Top Movies: Finding Santa, Merry & Bright, Love Under the Rainbow, A Cozy Christmas Inn, and The Jane Mysteries: Inheritance Lost.
Hallmark Signature: Little miss fix it! The preferred character of Sweeten is a businesswoman who is determined to have it all, even if it requires giving up on love. Once they acknowledge their own imperfections and accept assistance from others, the leading ladies often discover that their ideal partner has been patiently waiting for them.
Credit: Copyright 2021 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Allister Foster
Tamera Mowry-Housley
The Sister, Sister alum, Tia Mowry-Housley, established herself as a notable figure in Hallmark movies, starting with her role in 2019's A Christmas Miracle. The following year, she captivated audiences in Christmas Comes Twice, a film where Cheryl (played by Mowry-Housley) magically journeys back in time during a holiday visit with her family. By making a wish, she is given a chance to start anew and must decide how to redirect her life for the better. Mowry-Housley's Hallmark Movies & Mysteries debut came in 2023 with Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major, where she not only showcased her acting skills but also served as an executive producer for the network. Some of her top movies include A Christmas Miracle, Christmas Comes Twice, The Santa Stakeout, and Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major.
Hallmark Signature: Christmas spirit is never in short supply for this lady, who is family-oriented and often double booked with prior commitments.
Credit: 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs
Erin Krakow
In 2014, Krakow made a name for herself as the lead actress in When Calls the Heart, playing the character Elizabeth Thatcher. She has portrayed the small-town teacher for a total of 10 seasons. Krakow also starred in her initial two films for the network in 2014, titled Chance at Romance and A Cookie Cutter Christmas. However, her most successful Christmas films have been in the Father Christmas trilogy, where she portrays the character Miranda Chester.
Her notable movies include Finding Father Christmas, Marrying Father Christmas, A Summer Romance, Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen, and It Was Always You.
Hallmark Signature: The all-American, girl next door appears to be quiet and reserved, but in reality, she’s a force to be reckoned with and totally lovable.
Credit: 2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman
Kimberley Sustad
The Canadian actress has appeared in over 10 Hallmark Channel movies since her breakout role in "A Bride for Christmas" in 2012. She gained recognition as a leading lady in holiday films starting with "The Nine Lives of Christmas" in 2014, where she portrayed the character Marilee, a vet school student who falls in love with a firefighter named Zachary (played by Brandon Routh). She reprised this role in "The Nine Kittens of Christmas" in 2021. In 2022, she collaborated with Paul Campbell to co-write the network's biggest holiday feature, "Three Wise Men and a Baby". In addition to her leading roles, Sustad has also made guest appearances in various Hallmark movie franchises, such as "The Gourmet Detective", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered", "Emma Fielding Mysteries", and has even appeared in two episodes of "Chesapeake Shores".
Some of her top movies include "A Godwink Christmas", "Sense, Sensibility & Snowman", "Wedding Every Weekend", "Christmas by Starlight" and "The Nine Kittens of Christmas".
Hallmark Signature: Fun-loving, friendly and a good fit with any leading man — and the perfect wedding buddy.
Credit: 2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Allister Foster
Autumn Reeser
Reeser, known for her role in The O.C., made her first appearance on the network in Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2012. Two years later, she portrayed the character of Elyse, an heiress who falls in love with a lawyer she meets at a costume ball in Midnight Masquerade. In 2015, Reeser starred in Hallmark movies I Do, I Do, I Do and A Country Wedding, followed by A Bramble House Christmas in 2017. In 2022, she joined forces with Chabert and Sweeney to create The Wedding Veil trilogy, which premiered three new films in 2023. Some of her notable movies include Midnight Masquerade, I Do, I Do, I Do, A Country Wedding, Valentine Ever After, Love on the Menu, All Summer Long, Christmas Under the Stars, The 27-Hour Day, and The Wedding Veil franchise.
Hallmark Signature: An on the go, head on a swivel type woman who is very active, loves the outdoors and moves a mile a minute.
Credit: 2021 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
Cindy Busby
Busby first appeared in the 2014 film Lucky in Love before joining the cast of Cedar Cove. She played Rebecca Jennings on the Hallmark series for two seasons from 2014 to 2015. Additionally, she has portrayed Elizabeth Scott in two Mr. Darcy films, namely Unleashing Mr. Darcy and Marrying Mr. Darcy. Busby has also starred in a number of travel movies on the channel, including Romance in the Air, set in Lake Tahoe, California. In 2022, she took on the lead role in Marry Me in Yosemite. The following year, Busby ventured into another iconic park in Love in Zion National: A National Park Romance.
Her notable films include Unleashing Mr. Darcy, Royal Hearts, A Godwink Christmas: Meant for Love, Love in the Forecast, Follow Me to Daisy Hills, Chasing Waterfalls, and Love in Zion National: A National Park Romance.
Hallmark Signature: Well-rounded, sweet, smart and open to new things, this woman is ready to hit the ground running.
Credit: 2021 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Fred Hayes
Ashley Williams
Making her debut on Hallmark with the Halloween-themed movie October Kiss in 2015, this New York native quickly established herself as a prominent figure. Over the years, she has been featured in a remarkable number of seasonal films for the channel, totaling more than 10. One notable franchise she became a part of is Christmas in Evergreen. In 2021, she joined forces with her sister, Kimberly Williams Paisley, for not one, but two Christmas movies - Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday and Sister Swap: Christmas in the City.
Among her top movies are Love on a Limb, Christmas in Evergreen, Northern Light of Christmas, Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater, as well as the Sister Swap films.
Hallmark Signature: The kind-hearted, overly expressive star seems to have a smile fixed on her face at all times — and is ready to spread cheer wherever she goes.
Credit: 2021 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
Taylor Cole
Previous model, Cole, co-starred with Andrew Walker in the romantic comedy "Appetite for Love" in 2016, the same year she appeared in "Christmas in Homestead" and "My Summer Prince." She continued her career with two Hallmark movies in 2017 and 2018, gaining recognition for her portrayal of Cara Reneau in the "One Winter Weekend" series and journalist Ruby Herring in the detective franchise "A Ruby Herring Mystery."
Top Movies: "My Summer Prince," "Christmas in Homestead," "Falling for You," "One Winter Proposal," "Unlocking Christmas," "Making Spirits Bright," and "A Ruby Herring Mystery: Her Last Breath."
Hallmark Signature: Organized, fearless and at times fickle, Cole enjoys taking on challenging women who have in-depth story lines.
Credit: Shane Mahood/Crown Media
Rachel Boston
Boston burst onto the Hallmark scene in 2014 with her role as Caryn in A Ring by Spring. Not only did she act in the film, but she also contributed as an associate producer. The following year, she graced the screen in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' A Gift of Miracles. During that same year, Boston made her debut in holiday films for the company with Ice Sculpture Christmas. Hailing from Tennessee, she has since taken on lead roles in five more festive movies, including the 2022 film A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe. In early 2022, Boston reunited with her co-star from The Last Bridesmaid, Paul Campbell, for the film Dating the Delaneys.
Her notable movies include Stop the Wedding, Christmas in Angel Falls, The Last Bridesmaid, Check Inn to Christmas, and A Christmas Carousel.
Hallmark Signature: Boston typically showcases strong-willed individuals who refuse to accept rejection. Although she may initially appear reserved, her characters consistently discover their true voice — and their destined soulmate.
Credit: 2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs
Rachael Leigh Cook
Hallmark Signature: Don’t let her soft-spoken voice fool you, Cook’s type of women are fighters who won’t back down from a challenge.
Credit: 2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
Julie Gonzalo
The Argentinian actress, Gonzalo, made her mark by portraying different characters in various Hallmark movies throughout the years. She first captivated audiences as baker Casey McArthy in the 2016 film "Pumpkin Pie Wars" before taking on the role of a cupcake store owner in "The Sweetest Heart." Gonzalo then delighted viewers with her appearance in her first holiday-themed Hallmark movie, "Jingle Bell Bride," released in 2020. Two years later, she showcased her talent in the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' production "Cut, Color, Murder" as Ali Reed. In a delightful turn of events, Gonzalo starred alongside her real-life partner, Chris McNally, in the upcoming film "3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost" which is set to be released in 2023. Notably, the couple also shares the joy of raising a child together.
Some of Gonzalo's top movies include "Pumpkin Pie Wars," "The Sweetest Heart," "Flip That Romance," "Jingle Bell Bride," and "3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost."
Hallmark Signature: Often associated with baking, Gonzalo’s alter egos are women who never give up no matter what the circumstances.
Credit: 2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
Bethany Joy Lenz
The One Tree Hill actress has been making frequent appearances on the network since her 2012 holiday film, The Christmas Secret. In the movie, her character stumbles upon a magical family heirloom that brings her love and good fortune. She has since starred in various films, including the popular spring fever hit Bottled With Love and the beloved Valentine's Day favorite A Valentine's Match. In 2021, she partnered with Tyler Hynes in the holiday film An Unexpected Christmas. Two years later, she directed the network's A Biltmore Christmas.
Some of her top movies include Christmas Secret, Royal Matchmaker, Bottled With Love, Just My Type, and Five Star Christmas.
Hallmark Signature: Independent, strong-willed and longing for love, the actress seems to play women with spunk.
Credit: Robert Clark/Hallmark 2023
Jessy Schram
Schram joined the Hallmark family in 2005, marking her debut as an actress in the TV movie Jane Doe: Vanishing Act. She portrayed Susan Davis, Lea Thompson's daughter, and continued to play the character in all nine films of the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries franchise. In 2015, she ventured into romantic comedies with her first Hallmark rom-com role in Harvest Moon. Since then, Schram has become a go-to star for the network, making appearances in popular Christmas films such as Royal New Year's Eve in 2017 and Mystic Christmas in 2023. Some of her notable movies include Jane Doe franchise, Harvest Moon, The Birthday Wish, A Nashville Christmas Carol, Time for Them to Come Home for Christmas, and Mystic Christmas.
Hallmark Signature: Outside of the Jane Doe films, Schram’s characters are usually bubbly personalities who have a creative gene.
Credit: Tilly Blair/Hallmark
Aimee Teegarden
The Friday Night Lights star captured viewers' hearts in her first Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film, Once Upon a Christmas Miracle, which premiered in 2018. In this heartwarming movie, Teegarden's character, Heather, finds love with Chris (played by Brett Dalton) after receiving a life-saving organ transplant. Since then, she has appeared in notable films such as A New Year's Resolution and My Christmas Family Tree in 2021, as well as the popular Autumn in the City and the festive Christmas Class Reunion in 2022.
Top Movies: Once Upon a Christmas Miracle, A New Year's Resolution, My Christmas Family Tree, Autumn in the City.
Hallmark Signature: Teegarden frequently takes on more intricate roles, portraying characters who are grappling with a mid-life crisis just like Piper in Autumn in the City or Andie in the upcoming Heart of the Matter, set to release in 2022. Rather than solely seeking romantic relationships, these on-screen personas aspire to navigate the world by harnessing their own innate strength and fostering self-belief.
Credit: 2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Fred Hayes
Erin Cahill
The Virginia native made her debut in the world of holiday Hallmark movies in 2016 with Sleigh Bells Ring. She portrayed Laurel, a single mother who rekindles an old romance while organizing her town's Christmas parade. Since then, Cahill has continued to enchant audiences with her performances in Last Vermont Christmas, Love, Fall & Order, The Secret Ingredient, A Timeless Christmas, and Every Time a Bell Rings. And to add to her impressive repertoire, she will be gracing our screens once again in 2022 with Christmas Bedtime Stories.
Hallmark Signature: Competitive, confident and courageous, Cahill’s characters are total go-getters who appear to be very ladylike.
Credit: 2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy Johnson Production Group/Luba Popovic
Emilie Ullerup
The Danish actress starred as Dale Travers in three mystery movies of Signed, Sealed, Delivered in 2016. She reprised the role the following year in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Home Again. Since 2016, Ullerup has also been portraying Bree O'Brien on Chesapeake Shores. In the same year, she made her debut in a Hallmark holiday movie called Hearts of Christmas, alongside Kristoffer Polaha. Apart from her appearances in Christmas movies on the network, Ullerup also travels extensively around the world, as seen in the 2019 film Winter Castle, which was set in an ice hotel in Canada.
Top Movies: Hearts of Christmas, Christmas Bells Are Ringing, Winter Castle, and Nature of Love.
Hallmark Signature: A hard worker, who eventually realizes that there is more to life than her job — and finds love all over the globe as a result.
Credit: 2021 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Allister Foster
Laura Osnes
The Minnesota native has starred in a total of five movies for the Hallmark Channel, beginning in 2019. Her debut film for the network, In the Key of Love, tells the story of Maggie (portrayed by Osnes), a photographer who rekindles a past romance while capturing her sister's wedding. In that same year, she portrayed Charlotte, a country singer who constructs a house for a friend in her hometown during the holiday season in A Homecoming for the Holidays. Continuing her success, she took on the role of Jenna, an aspiring sommelier who unexpectedly falls for a new winemaker in the town, in Raise a Glass to Love. As a talented actress, her top movies include A Homecoming for the Holidays, One Royal Holiday, Raise a Glass to Love, and Christmas in Tahoe.
Hallmark Signature: A creative, independent and driven woman who is always searching for a way to better herself.
Credit: Zack Dougan/Crown Media United States
Hunter King
In 2022, King gained popularity with her debut romantic film for Hallmark, Hidden Gems. She also showcased her talent in her first Hallmark Movies & Mysteries production, Nikki & Nora: Sister Sleuths, and later starred in a heartwarming holiday movie called A Royal Corgi Christmas for the network. The subsequent year, King continued to captivate audiences with her multiple successes in Hallmark, including her notable performance in The Professional Bridesmaid.
Top Films: Hidden Gems, Nikki & Nora: Sister Sleuths, The Professional Bridesmaid.
Hallmark Signature: King gravitates toward adventurous and outspoken characters — especially women who aren’t afraid to take charge and fight for their happy ending.
Credit: Fred Hayes/Crown Media United States
Alexa PenaVega
PenaVega joined forces with Hallmark in 2016 with her lead role in the movie Ms. Matched. While she has successfully headlined several romantic-comedies for the network, such as Christmas Made to Order in 2018 and A Paris Proposal in 2023, many fans recognize her for her collaborations with her husband Carlos PenaVega. Together, they have starred in the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries franchise, Picture Perfect Mysteries, as well as multiple heartfelt love stories for Hallmark, including Never Too Late to Celebrate in 2023.
Notable movies featuring PenaVega: Destination Wedding, Enchanted Christmas, Picture Perfect Mysteries franchise, Taking a Shot at Love, and A Paris Proposal.
Hallmark Signature: In Alexa's Hallmark movies, her character typically adheres to a meticulous plan in order to maintain control. Nonetheless, by the conclusion of these movies, she frequently realizes that life and love can be unpredictable and that's perfectly acceptable.
Credit: Steven Ackerman/Halmark 2023
Janel Parrish
Parrish established herself as a standout performer in the hit show Pretty Little Liars, spanning from 2010 to 2017. Her talent caught the attention of Hallmark, where she made her mark with the beloved film Holly & Ivy in 2020. Continuing her success, she starred in two more successful movies for the network the following year. Expanding her repertoire, Parrish ventured into the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries realm in 2023 with the first installment of her Family History Mysteries franchise.
Notable films in Parrish's repertoire include: Holly & Ivy, Coyote Creek Christmas, Family History Mysteries: Buried Past, and Never Been Chris'd.
Hallmark Signature: Prioritizing family is a constant motif present in all of Parrish’s Hallmark characters. Demonstrating her selflessness, she willingly assumes the responsibility of caring for her neighbor’s two daughters following the neighbor's passing in the heartwarming film, Holly & Ivy.
Credit: 2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman
Jill Wagner
The Teen Wolf star began her collaboration with the Hallmark Channel by starring in Autumn Dreams, a fall film that debuted in 2015. The following year, Wagner showcased her talent in the holiday movie Christmas Cookies. In 2018, she became a member of the Christmas in Evergreen ensemble cast with the release of the film Letters to Santa. Hailing from North Carolina, Wagner has portrayed the protagonist, Professor Amy Winslow, in the popular Mystery 101 series since 2019.
Her notable films include Christmas Cookies, A Harvest Wedding, Pearl in Paradise, Hearts of Winter, The Angel Tree, and the Mystery 101 movies: Dead Talk and Deadly History.
Hallmark Signature: Smart, witty, brave and bold, Wagner rarely plays a wallflower of any kind.
Credit: 2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
Candace Cameron Bure
Known as the queen of Christmas, the former Full House star made her debut on the Hallmark Channel in 2008 with the movie Moonlight & Mistletoe. Since then, she has become a familiar face on the network, not only appearing in numerous films but also taking on production roles. With notable performances in movies like Puppy Love and Let It Snow, Cameron Bure has also captivated audiences as the protagonist in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries films. These movies chronicle the adventures of librarian Aurora Teagarden as she unravels mysteries in her small town and beyond.
Keeping fans on their toes, Cameron Bure shocked everyone in April 2022 with the announcement of an exclusive multi-picture deal with Great American Media. This marked her departure from Hallmark, with her final film for the channel being The Christmas Contest in 2021.
Top Movies: Christmas Under Wraps, A Christmas Detour, A Shoe Addict’s Christmas, Christmas Town, If I Only Had Christmas, and the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries franchise.
Hallmark Signature: Cameron Bure, known for her versatility, is drawn to captivating roles that embody vivacity, determination, and authenticity, as her characters fearlessly pursue their dreams and stay true to themselves.
Credit: 2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
Danica McKellar
After starring in the popular TV series The Wonder Years, this actress became a beloved presence on the Hallmark Channel. One of her notable roles was as event planner Jessica Summers in the 2015 film Perfect Match, where she appeared alongside actor Paul Greene. That same year, she also impressed audiences with her performance in the holiday movie Crown for Christmas, playing the role of governess Allie. In this heartwarming story, Allie finds herself falling in love with the royal family she serves. In 2019, she took on a new role as Angie Dove in the Matchmaker Mysteries movie series, starring alongside Victor Webster. As a TV matchmaker, Angie possesses a remarkable intuition about people, which proves invaluable in helping Detective Kyle Cooper, played by Webster, solve various mysteries and crimes.
Great American Media has recently announced an exciting four-picture agreement with McKellar, in which the talented actress will take on the roles of both star and executive producer for films developed for Great American Family and Great American Living.
Notable movies in McKellar's repertoire include "Crown for Christmas," "Campfire Kiss," "Very, Very Valentine," "Love in Design," "Love and Sunshine," "Christmas at Dollywood," and "Christmas She Wrote."
Hallmark Signature: McKellar’s onscreen personas are ready for anything, never give up and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.
Credit: 2021 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Allister Foster
Jen Lilley
The alum from General Hospital, landed her first leading role on the network in the 2016 movie A Dash of Love. She portrayed aspiring chef Nikki, who joins forces with Paul (played by Brendan Penny) after they are unjustly dismissed from their jobs. Together, they open a restaurant, find love, and live happily ever after. Lilley has since starred in over 10 films, including beloved holiday favorites like Mingle All the Way and USS Christmas. In January 2022, Lilley announced her collaboration with Great American Media for four original movies. It should be noted that her contract was not exclusively with them.
Top Movies: A Dash of Love, Eat, Play, Love, Yes, I Do, Harvest Love, Winter Love Story, Paris, Wine and Romance, Snow Kissed, Mingle All the Way, and Royally Wrapped for Christmas.
Hallmark Signature: Bubbly, sweet and often underestimated, fans can’t help but root for Lilley and all of the women she portrays.
Credit: 2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss
Merritt Patterson
In 2017's A Royal Winter, the Canadian actress captivated fans with her portrayal of Maggie, a tourist who encounters a charming royal while exploring. She also appeared in the tech-savvy romantic comedy Bad Date Chronicles and embraced the holiday spirit in The Christmas Cottage during the same year. Since then, she has taken on various international romance and Christmas-themed movies.
In 2021, she graced one of Great American Family's inaugural holiday films, Jingle Bell Princess. While not currently in an exclusive agreement with the network as of winter 2022, she did kick off GAF's second annual Great American Christmas with her film Catering Christmas.
Top Movies: A Royal Winter, The Christmas Cottage, Christmas at the Palace, Forever in My Heart, Chateau Christmas, and Gingerbread Miracle.
Hallmark Signature: Patterson's characters may lead seemingly unrealistic lives, yet their adoration for the holidays, devotion to traditions, and yearning for romance effortlessly resonate with fans.
