Hallmark’s newest Christmas movie, “A Newport Christmas,” premieres on Sunday, November 2, at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. The movie stars Ginna Claire Mason and Wes Brown, and will stream the next day on Hallmark+.
Although “A Newport Christmas” takes place in Newport, Rhode Island, only one Newport location was actually used during filming, and the rest of the movie was filmed elsewhere. Read on to learn all about this movie, including where it was filmed and behind-the-scenes stories from the cast.
‘A Newport Christmas’ Was Filmed in New York, Plus One Newport Location
The storyline for “A Newport Christmas” may take place in Newport, Rhode Island, but the majority of the movie was not filmed in Newport (except for one location.) For most of the movie, western New York (including Buffalo) doubles for Newport, according to IMDb.
The movie filmed in the west New York region for six weeks in early 2025, featuring locations from Akron to Youngstown, The Buffalo News shared.
However, one Newport location did make the cut: Bowen’s Wharf in Newport, Rhode Island, WPRI reported. Bowen’s Wharf posted on Facebook on September 24: “We’re delighted to be the only Newport location featured in the film and can’t wait to share this special moment with you all!”
The Bowen’s Wharf scenes were filmed on April 7, according to The Newport Buzz. Local extras joined the filming, and special Christmas decorations were put up (of course!)
Bowen’s Wharf is called the “anchor of the Newport waterfront.” It’s filled with restaurants, nightlife, galleries, boutiques, and year-round events. You can even get tours there too. (If you want to get into the Christmas spirt in Newport, you can attend a Christmas Tree Lighting at Bowen’s Wharf on December 6.)
Despite most of the movie not being filmed in Rhode Island, the film will still showcase much of Newport’s history, Providence Journal noted. It’s the first Hallmark movie set in Rhode Island since the 1999 film “A Season for Miracles.”
Meet the Cast
Hallmark’s synopsis reads: “Ella (Mason) is a charitable and spirited Newport socialite in 1905 who dreams of using her wealth to start a foundation to help others in town. After learning her father intends for her to become engaged to a man she’s never met at the upcoming Christmas Eve ball, Ella goes for a nighttime sail in her schooner to clear her head. Upon seeing a comet shoot across the sky, she wistfully wishes for a different life. Ella is shocked to suddenly find Nick (Brown), a sailor and local Newport historian, aboard her schooner and accuses him of being a stowaway. But Nick insists he owns the boat and a standoff ensues. Once on dry land, Ella realizes that somehow, she’s traveled from 1905 to 2025. As she spends time there and gets a glimpse at what her future in 1905 appears to be, she becomes reluctant to return, especially since she and Nick have grown close and she now knows how true love feels. But the legacy Ella built in her time – and the course of Newport’s history – risks being erased the longer she stays in the present, so the two plot a course for her trip back through time. But what awaits her at home is even more surprising that what she found in the future.”
Wes Brown is Nick. Brown is well known among Hallmark fans for highly praised films like “Every Time a Bell Rings,” “June in January,” “Over the Moon in Love,” “Christmas at Graceland,” “Love Under the Stars,” “Sweet Pecan Summer,” and more. He also has numerous credits outside Hallmark, like “Hart of Dixie,” “90210,” “Criminal Minds,” “True Blood,” “Private Practice,” “Once Upon a Time,” and more.
Ginna Claire Mason is Ella. She recently finished a multi-year run as Glinda in “Wicked” on Broadway, according to her Hallmark bio. Her many other credits include “Newsies,” “Flashdance,” “Duck Commander Musical,” “Grease,” and more. She starred in “A Holiday Spectacular” for Hallmark, and “A Heidelburg Holiday,” among others.
Also starring in the movie, according to IMDb, are:
- Nell Bichler (Ada’s child)
- Jon Cesar (servant)
- Joshua Cole (Newport resident)
- Paige Cummings (Ada)
- Joseph Dellger (Albert)
- Sean Greenhouse (1905 Christmas party attendee)
- Lauren Issa (Dock tourist)
- Peter Johnson (Dock tourist)
- Amanda Marie Lungaro (Sharon)
- David O’Donnell
- Talia Robinson
- Maxwell Sebastian (pedestrian)
- Bill Smith (pedestrian)
- Evan Alexander Smith
- Tracey B. Wilson (Grafton)
- Dave Sutton (Ball guest)
IMDb also notes that Joie Botkin wrote the movie and Dustin Rikert directed.
