Inside ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story’: Filming Locations & Behind-the-Scenes Stories

Hallmark’s newest Countdown to Christmas movie is the highly anticipated “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story,” premiering Saturday, November 22 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. The movie stars Holland Roden, Matthew Daddario and Joe Pantoliano. Read on to learn all about where the movie was filmed and see behind-the-scenes cast stories.

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‘Holiday Touchdown’ Was Filmed in New York Over the Summer

“Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story” was filmed on location in New York, including at Highmark Stadium. Hallmark posted a behind-the-scenes video on YouTube Shorts.

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According to WIVB, the movie was filmed in East Aurora, Buffalo, and Orchard Park, New York, in June. The community was decked out for Christmas to give the film that familiar Hallmark holiday vibe.

Local resident Holly Schiferle, who was an extra in the film, told WIVB: ” was one of the extras at the stadium as part of that joyful, jubilant crowd. There were Bills Santa hats, and Mrs. Clause was there, and Santa, and all the typically fall and winter personnel you see in that crowd. It was exciting and fun.”

Filming included recreating East Aurora’s iconic Carolcade on Main Street. The shoot involved 175 extras.

Other East Aurora filming locations included:

• Vidler’s 5 & 10
• Elm Street Bakery
• Bar Bill Tavern

Vidler’s 5 & 10 shared some behind-the-scenes photos on Facebook.

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Sports reporter and former NFL wide receiver Steve Tasker told People that it was a “natural fit” to film at Highmark Stadium.

“And for this fan base, the building is so familiar. We all grew up in this building. This is part of history and for everybody who’s a Bills fan. So it’s iconic,” he said.

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Meet the Cast

Hallmark’s synopsis reads: “The Quinns and DeLucas have lived next door to each other for decades in the shadow of Highmark Stadium – the home of their beloved Buffalo Bills. With their longtime friendship rooted in being proud members of Bills Mafia, the two clans have enjoyed cherished traditions that revolve around cheering for their favorite team – especially at the holidays when they celebrate the last home game before Christmas. Pediatric doctor Morgan Quinn and the Bills’ VP of Stadium Development Gabe DeLuca have been lifelong friends, but Gabe has always held a torch for her – a fact obvious to their families… and everyone else who crosses their path. When Morgan learns from her Uncle Tommy that someone anonymously helped her family get by after he was drafted more than 60 years ago – and that he continues to receive a Christmas gift each year to this day – she decides to find his benefactor and give her uncle a Christmas he’ll always remember. Aided by Bills Mafia friends of theirs, Morgan and Gabe work together to unwrap the gifter’s identity. Along the way, Gabe’s love for Morgan deepens and in turn, she begins to see him in a new light though neither is daring enough to admit their feelings. Meanwhile, Morgan’s hopes of pulling off her surprise for Uncle Tommy get sacked. That is, until Gabe takes matters into his own hands and uses his connections with the Bills to pull off the surprise of a lifetime for Morgan and both their families that will make this a Christmas they’ll never forget.”

Hollan Roden is Morgan. She’s a well-known Hallmark star, with credits like “Five Gold Rings,” “Holidazed,” “Tipline Mysteries,” “Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas,” and more. Her many other credits include “Weeds,” “Lost,” “CSI,” “Criminal Minds,” “The Event,” “Teen Wolf” (100 episodes as Lydia), “Channel Zero,” and more.

Matthew Daddario is Gabe. His credits include “Sister Wife Murder,” “The Italians,” “Blue Bloods,” “Dance Dads,” “Wild Game,” “Shadowhunters” (55 episodes as Alec), “Cabin Fever,” and more.

Joe Pantoliano is Tommy. His numerous credits include “Home Delivery,” “The Last of Us,” “Dexter: Original Sin,” “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” “Bad Boys for Life,” “Sense8,” and more. He was also in Hallmark films like “The Santa Stakeout.”

Tracy Pollan is Joanne. Her credits include “Inventing Anna,” “Nightcap,” “Justice for Natalee Holloway,” “Medium,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Spin City,” “Family Ties” (13 episodes as Ellen Reed,” and more.

Caroline Aaron is Ricki. Her credits include “Ghosts,” “Wylde Pak,” “31 Candles,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (29 episodes as Shirley Maisel), “How to Ruin the Holidays,” “Christmas v. The Walters,” “Outmatched,” and more.

Steve Schirripa is Frank. His credits include “Dexter: Resurrection,” “Sisterhood, Inc.,” “Blue Bloods” (146 episodes as Anthony Abetemarco), “40-Love,” “TripTank,” “Benders,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” (110 episodes as Leo), “Brothers,” and more.

Patti Murin is Cathy. Her credits include “Mystic Christmas,” “In Merry Measure,” “Love on Iceland,” “To Catch a Spy,” “Holiday for Heroes,” “Chicago Med” (18 episodes as Nina), “Chicago Fire,” “Royal Pains,” and more.

Also starring in the film, according to IMDb, are:

• Luciana VanDette (Ava)
• Luke Russert
• Ashley Szczerbacki
• Nell Bichler (Young Morgan)
• Joshua Cole (Bills fan)
• Bob Bozek (Post office worker)
• Joey Palestina (Vinny)
• Jim Kelly
• Damar Hamlin
• Tera Murphy (Tailgater)