News

If you watch a lot of Hallmark holiday movies, you'll notice faces that reappear over and over again. Hallmark is nothing if not reliant on safe, predictable storytelling, and this tendency extends to the people they hire to act in their made-for-tv films -- once you've proven that you can provide a stable, likable presence in a lead role, they'll keep on booking you. 

But while Hallmark male stars need to personify whatever romantic fantasy Hallmark is selling -- whether that's sensitive, or caring, or supporting, or rugged, or good at fighting fires -- their actresses have an altogether different responsibility. Since a large portion of the Hallmark viewership is made up of women, these actresses need to be aspirational and, above all else, relatable. We need to be able to see ourselves in them, which isn't as easy a task as it sounds. So when they find a performer who can do it well,...

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...

Paramount+ dropped a new teaser for “The J Team,” featuring pop and social media sensation JoJo Siwa as a young girl whose life is turned upside down when her dance coach Val retires and is replaced by Poppy, a sparkle-hating instructor that doesn’t mesh with JoJo’s personality. Determined to stay in the upcoming dance competition, JoJo and her best friends, The Rubies, must abide by Poppy’s harsh rules.

After trying her hardest to dull her shine for Poppy, JoJo realizes that she can’t hide it anymore. She’s kicked out of her dance troupe and has to rediscover her passion for dance and what it means to her.

The teaser shows Siwa’s classic sparkles and oversized bows as well as original music and dance routines.

Tisha Campbell-Martin is Poppy, Laura Soltis (“Hiccups”) plays Val, Julia Marley (“Dead to Me”) is Nina, and Kerrynton Jones (“Little Fires Everywhere...