Hallmark's first 2023 holiday film preps January shoot in North Carolina

Hallmark Media has announced production on their first 2023 holiday film will commence in January next year.

According to Variety, A Biltmore Christmas, stars Bethany Joy Lenz (Five Star Christmas, One Tree Hill, ) and Kristoffer Polaha (Mystery 101) and will film entirely on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, USA.

Dustin Rikert serves as executive producer with Andrew Gernhard producing. John Putch will helm the holiday special from a script written by Marcy Holland.

“Each year we look for ways to create exciting, new holiday viewing experiences for our audience,” Samantha DiPippo, senior vice president of development and programming at Hallmark Media told the outlet. “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.”

A Biltmore Christmas's official synopsis reads:

Lucy Collins (Lenz) is a screenwriter who lands the job of a lifetime when she’s hired to write the script for a remake of the beloved holiday movie “His Merry Bride!” First filmed in 1947 at beautiful Biltmore House, it has long been considered a Christmas classic. As Christmas approaches, Lucy travels to Biltmore Estate for research. She joins a guided tour of the grounds where she gets insights into the history of the location and the filming of “His Merry Bride!,” and once inside the house, she’s drawn to a beautiful hourglass. 

When Lucy accidentally knocks it over, she finds herself transported back in time to 1946 – the Golden Age of Hollywood – as cast and crew prepare to film “His Merry Bride!” at Biltmore. Lucy does her best to navigate an unfamiliar place as a woman out of time, charming some and raising suspicions of others. It’s not long before Lucy catches the eye of the film’s dashing lead Jack Huston (Polaha) and although she initially rebuffs his advances, their connection soon becomes undeniable. Lucy’s sudden appearance sets off a chain of events that put the production in jeopardy. Before she can return to the present, she must make things right or threaten to alter the future forever. Lucy has one chance to go home but must say goodbye to the man who might be her soulmate unless some Christmas magic can keep the curtain from closing on their love story.