Hallmark Channel Reveals First 2023 Christmas Movie Starting Production Soon

Hallmark Channel has officially announced the first 2023 Christmas movie, set to star Kristoffer Polaha and Bethany Joy Lenz. The announcement comes as we head closer to Christmas 2022 and gives fans of Hallmark Christmas movies welcome news. Reportedly, production starts on the new holiday movie for 2023 in January.

A Biltmore Christmas on Hallmark Channel

A Biltmore Christmas will be filmed entirely on the Biltmore Estate, in Asheville, North Carolina. In fact, this national historic landmark is renowned for its classic holiday traditions, so where better as a movie set? Meanwhile, the movie is set to star Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha in the lead.

Speaking about the first 2023 Christmas movie, Samantha DiPippo, senior vice president of development and programming at Hallmark Media, said:

Each year we look for ways to create exciting, new holiday viewing experiences for our audience. 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.

About the cast of the 2023 holiday movie

Bethany Joy Lenz is known for her role in One Tree Hill and has also starred in many Hallmark movies. Among these are Poinsettias for Christmas, Bottled With Love, Five Star Christmas and An Unexpected Christmas.

Meanwhile, Kristoffer Polaha is known for his roles in the seven Mystery 101 movies on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. However, he has also starred in several Hallmark Media movies. These include Dater’s Handbook, Rocky Mountain Christmas, Pearl in Paradise, Double Holiday, and A Dickens of a Holiday.

Outside of Hallmark Channel, Polaha is known for his roles in Life Unexpected on The CW, and a One Tree Hill crossover episode, welcoming Lenz’s character, Haley James Scott.

What is the plot of A Biltmore Christmas?

According to Variety, Lucy Collins (Lenz) is a screenwriter, who has just landed the job of a lifetime. She has been hired to write the script for a remake of the beloved holiday movie, His Merry Bride! The movie was first filmed in 1947 at the beautiful Biltmore House and has always been considered a Christmas classic.

As Christmas draws near, Lucy heads to Biltmore Estate to do some research. In fact, she joins a guided tour of the grounds to get insights into the history of the location. Meanwhile, she also got ideas for His Merry Bride! Once inside the house, she comes across a beautiful hourglass. When Lucy accidentally knocks it over, she suddenly finds herself transported back in time to 1946 and the Golden Age of Hollywood.

As the cast and crew get ready to film His Merry Bride!, Lucy tries her best to navigate an unfamiliar place as a woman out of time. Along the way, she charms some people, but also raises the suspicions of others.

It isn’t long before Lucy catches the eye of the movie’s handsome lead, Jack Huston (Polaha). While she initially rebuffs his advances, Lucy and Jack’s connection soon becomes undeniable. In fact, her sudden appearance launches a chain of events that put the production in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, before Lucy can return to her own time, she has to make things right or threaten to alter the future forever. In fact, she has only one chance to go home but has to say goodbye to the man who might be her soul mate. Meanwhile, unless some Christmas magic comes along, the curtains are set to close on their love story.

A Biltmore Christmas is executive produced by Dustin Rikert with Andrew Gernhard producing. Moreover, the movie is directed by John Putch from a script penned by Marcy Holland.

Readers, are you already excited about Hallmark Channel’s first 2023 Christmas movie and such a beautiful filming location? Let us know your thoughts by dropping a comment below.