Ryan Paevey has been full of surprises in 2025. After announcing he was stepping away from acting in 2024, the Hallmark Channel alum made a surprise return to the small screen in September, re-emerging on the soap opera where he began his career, “General Hospital.”

That’s a change that has thrilled his fans, but the surprise he shared on December 11 left many unsure how to feel, as the “Unleashing Mr. Darcy” star appeared to go Instagram official with a new love in his life. Posting ahttps://www.instagram.com/p/DSIyo6kEWmJ/ photo of himself kissing her cheek, Paevey wrote, “Happy born day babe….luff you. : )”

Fans Have Mixed Reactions to Ryan Paevey’s Relationship Status

In his December 11 post, Paevey tagged the birthday girl in question, visual artist Kiley Missere. According to her social media feeds, Missere is a Canadian-based abstract painter who loves to travel — much like Paevey. She shared on Facebook in October that she was rebuilding her art website and starting a “new chapter.”

While many fans congratulated Paevey on his good news, plenty of others expressed dismay that he was off the market.

Over 200 liked one comment that amusingly said, “Soooooooo our imaginary relationship is…..over? 🥲”

Multiple fans responded to the comment that they felt the same way, including one who wrote, “lol. Same thought process! I guess we’re all surprised to see! Good for you Ryan!”

Another weighed in, “🙁😢 yes ! I feel the same here 😢 although…I’m happy for him ❤️❤️❤️”

Ryan Paevey Received Support From Many on His New Love

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Lots of people shared how happy they were for Paevey, including fellow Hallmark alum Cameron Mathison, who left three heart-eyes emoji in the comments.

Someone else wrote, “I’m so happy for you, you’ve finally found someone who captured your heart ❤️ of gold🥰🙏🏾 Congratulations & best wishes to you both🥰🥰🥰”

Paevey and Missere have plenty in common, from their love of travel and the tropics to their creative pursuits. Paevey started a YouTube series this fall dedicated to his surfing adventures, and he continues to create jewelry for his Fortunate Wanderer website.

The actor has also been making time to meet his fans again, starting with a small gathering in southern California that he organized over the summer. In July, he also attended his first fan convention in several years at Christmas in a Small Town, held in Dahlonega, Georgia, with plans to return in 2026.

The post Ryan Paevey Goes Instagram Official With New Love appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

Two days after returning from the 2025 kickoff of the Hallmark Christmas Experience — four festive and star-studded weekends held near Hallmark’s Kansas City headquarters throughout the holidays — I walked into a meeting with a little extra pep in my step and the word “MERRY” boldly embroidered across a bright red sweater.

I (weirdly) thought nothing of this until walking into that room, where it was immediately obvious to others — wide-eyed and thoroughly amused by my wardrobe choice — that whatever I’d been exposed to the weekend before was contagious. I’d definitely been “Hallmarked,” they laughed, and I literally gasped at the accuracy of their diagnosis.

During several days of wearing all-black, fade-into-the-background garb while navigating my way through 20,000 fans living out their Hallmark Christmas dreams, I’d undoubtedly been bitten by the bug. Journalistic integrity out the window, I was now literally wearing my newfound affliction for all to see and totally uninterested in finding a cure.

When I told longtime Hallmark star Rhiannon Fish this via Zoom days later, she laughed heartily and pointed to the sweatshirt she was wearing — featuring kittens wearing Santa hats. Despite appearing in nearly 20 Hallmark movies and series, that weekend also marked her first Hallmark fan event, and she empathized, “I totally know what you mean! Like, I’m just wearing Christmas cats now and I never want to take this off!”

How I Wound Up in a Storage Room With Hallmark Channel’s Tyler Hynes

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It’s impossible to know precisely when the Hallmark holiday spirit fully infiltrated my bloodstream, but my best guess is that it started approximately three minutes after I arrived at the Westin Hotel, where the second annual Hallmark Christmas Experience is being held (there are two weekends left, with tickets available here).

I was already lost, texting the Hallmark public relations rep I was supposed to receive my media badge from, when King of the Hallmark hunks Tyler Hynes appeared before me with a giant bodyguard behind him. Cue the “Hallelujah” chorus! I squeaked out his name and he enveloped me in a hug, grinning as he celebrated the serendipity of getting to be my “welcoming committee.”

For a split second, I wondered if I’d been transported into a Hallmark movie. I’m no expert, having only been reporting on Hallmark Channel for the last three years, but I do know that the hallmarks of a Hallmark hit include everything happening with perfect timing, characters being lost and then suddenly feeling found, and hugs that feel like Christmas morning. Check, check, and check.

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What happened next, though, really threw me for a loop. Knowing the weekend was about to get “crazy,” Hynes said he wanted to quickly find a spot where we could do a quick interview in case we didn’t get a chance to chat later. He then opened the doors behind us, revealing every Hallmark star attending the event, including Benjamin Ayres, Kimberley Sustad, Andrew Walker, Paul Campbell, Robert Buckley, and B.J. Britt.

Though I’d talked many times before with most of the stars in that small room, it had always been virtually, and my brain came to a screeching halt seeing them all at once — sitting in small groups, eating lunch, acting like regular people while looking like rom-com royalty. Most were too involved in their discussions to notice us, but Sustad and Fish got up from their seats for hugs and all I could think was how wildly unfair it was that they both looked like goddesses even without movie set lighting.

I should probably point out here that this tidal wave of star-struckness was a clear sign that I’d already been infected, a victim of the highly contagious swooning that touched every corner of the Hallmark Christmas Experience. I have interviewed or worked behind the scenes with so many celebrities over the last three decades that my friends make fun of me for being so unimpressed by fame. So, feeling faint and tongue-tied in a room of actors was evidence I’d already caught Hallmark Fever. What was happening to me?!

I suspect, standing there in that room, I looked and acted much like Jonathan Bennett did during an improv skit the stars performed as part of the weekend’s many onstage events, as seen above. Despite my deer-in-the-headlights impression, Hynes did not back out of finding a spot for us to chat.

Presenting the Worst (But Also the Best) Interview With Tyler Hynes

With thousands of fans just around the corner, lunch still waiting for Hynes, and little time to spare before the stars were due at their next appearance, The “Christmas Above the Clouds” star went straight to the top, asking Hallmark Media EVP and Chief Communications Officer Annie Howell to find us a relatively quiet spot. Our best option was steps away in a storage room where several staffers had set up a make-shift office, with their laptops out and big grins as Hynes waltzed into the room.

He was his usual gracious self, making sure everyone was okay with us adding to their chaos, and then pulled up a chair for me and proceeded to help set up my camera. This was a first; it is totally not normal for talent to help a reporter set up their equipment, but nothing is ever normal when you’re interviewing Tyler Hynes.

He was going on three hours of sleep, I was still in brain freeze mode from the star-studded room across the hall, and the interview showed it. Looking back on our interview, I got a little bit of info on his newfound love of football and the Chiefs, but other than that, we basically acted like 12 year olds for the next 20 minutes. It gives me a good laugh every time I watch it, and I’m hoping our behind the scenes nonsense does the same for you.

Hallmark Channel Stars Had a Blast Onstage & Off

Giggling with Hynes in a storage room filled with boxes of Christmas ornaments was a surefire way to return home with a bad case of Hallmark Fever, but there were plenty of other moments that were like shots in the arm of holiday joy. Like the multiple times I struggled to steady my camera as I laughed over the hilarity unfolding onstage during multiple celebrity improv skits and festive games.

Throughout that first weekend of the Hallmark Christmas Experience, Hynes’ “Three Wisest Men” co-star Andrew Walker was hilariously risque (by Hallmark standards, mind you), including a moment during the Hallmark Hunks panel (above) when a joke was made about their best angles. He hopped from his seat, turned around and showed off his assets, so to speak — much to the crowd’s delight.

In between Walker’s two consecutive weekends at the Hallmark Christmas Experience, we talked about how fortunate he feels to be able to spend these events having fun with the fans who make it possible for him to keep doing what he loves. He heads back home in between each event to soak up time with his wife and two boys, and then hits the road again. Next up, from December 12 to 14, he’s in New Jersey for Christmas Con.

When not on stage, Walker also loves catching up his colleagues, and said that at the end of the first weekend in Kansas City, many of the stars went out to a barbecue joint, noting, “Robert Buckley is a big foodie, so we were talking a lot about which places to go.” When the stars were in Nashville to kick off Countdown to Christmas in October, they found a burger joint across from their hotel and shuffled in, all dressed up, hungry and happy just to be together.

Witnessing Hallmark Channel Fans Love for the Stars & Each Other Was the Icing on the Christmas Cake

That infectious Hallmark holiday spirit also showed up each time I witnessed a heartfelt connection, from two men in patterned Christmas suits gleefully snapping photos with their favorite stars to countless interactions between attendees, thrilled to meet fellow Hallmarkies and compare notes on their favorite movies, moments, and talent.

As fun as it was to capture the joy onstage among the stars, it was even more heartwarming to watch ballrooms full of people delighting in every story they shared and joke they told. I did not hear a single complaint — only excitement and gratitude from each fan I met as they attended celebrity panels, made Hallmark holiday crafts, shopped the outdoor Christmas market, and watched a massive tree-lighting several times each evening.

On December 6, when Hallmark Channel premiered its holiday special filmed during the first weekend of the Hallmark Christmas Experience with Benjamin Ayres hosting, the sense of wonder, magic and connection conveyed was so representative of what I witnessed there. So when I came home and was told I’d clearly been “Hallmarked,” nothing could have made me happier.

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After some years away from the media, I decided in early 2022 to start writing again after a long cancer battle, during which I promised myself that if I made it through, I would dedicate myself to finding ways to tell more stories that spread a little light in the world.

I never imagined that decision would bring so much light to my own world, leading me to frequently reporting on a network that cares so much about its fans, a fandom that cares so much about their favorite stars, and stars who care so much about everything they do and everyone they touch. Their kindness, joy, and compassion is, indeed, contagious and telling their stories — from the sweet stuff to the hard stuff — is always privilege.

But reporting from the Hallmark Christmas Experience took that admiration for what they do to a new level. That is how I got Hallmarked, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

The post How I Got Hallmarked: Behind the Scenes at the Hallmark Christmas Experience appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

Hallmark’s “When Calls the Heart” star Erin Krakow recently shared a sweet and funny birthday message for one of her co-stars. Her WCTH colleague, Marin Cummins, celebrated his birthday, and Krakow couldn’t help but gush over him on that special day.

Erin Krakow Insists Martin Cummins Is ‘So Kind’

On November 28, Krakow posted a photo of Cummins on her Instagram page, and it appeared it may have been taken while filming season 13. In her caption, she wrote, “From Season 1 all the way to 13, He’s so kind [in real life] – but so gruff when onscreen.”

She continued, “Straight from my heart(en), I adore Martin.”

However, Krakow joked, “But he should be jailed for stealing every scene!”

After her sweet tease, Krakow wished her friend and colleague a happy birthday and noted that she was “Sending you so much big love!”

“When Calls the Heart Fans” loved Krakow’s tribute to Cummins.

One fan wrote, “What a beautiful tribute! Henry’s story arc is so powerful and such a powerful example of mercy & redemption! I can’t wait to see his journey continue in season 13. Happy Birthday, Martin!”

Another shared, “Aging like a fine (emphasis on fine) wine. He’s my hall(mark) pass lol HAPPY BIRTHDAY.”

Someone else added, “Happy birthday, Henry! You have been such a great part of Hope Valley I luv u! No worries, my hubby knows about it. He knows I luv Jack too!”

An additional comment read, “Stealing scenes and hearts since day one!”

Some fans noted that his character, Henry Gowen, is their favorite on “When Calls the Heart.”

“Ain’t no character development like Henry Gowan’s,” praised another fan.

WCTH Fans Are Eager to See Henry Gowan Reunite With Abigail Stanton

While “When Calls the Heart” fans will be eager to see what comes for Henry in season 13, some are already buzzing about his potential storyline in season 14. That’s because, as People reported on December 2, Lori Loughlin will be returning to the show as Abigail Stanton.

Loughlin will appear in six season 14 episodes, out of a total of 12. Unfortunately, season 14 of “When Calls the Heart” doesn’t premiere until early 2027.

As soon as Loughlin’s return was announced, “When Calls the Heart” fans took to Instagram to note their hope that Abigail and Henry will be together.

One fan wrote, “I’m so rooting for her and Henry! I love how much he has changed and grown through the series.”

Another gushed, “OMGGGGGGG FINALLY FINALLY!!!!!!!! HENRY AND ABIGAIL END GAME.”

Someone else replied to that comment, sharing, “My thoughts too! I was wondering if she’d come back when he began talking about her again last season more!”

The post Erin Krakow’s Heartfelt Tribute to a Hope Valley Favorite Is Melting Hearts appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

Jonathan Bennett, the Hallmark star we all secretly adore, just shared a video that perfectly captures the little quirks of married life. What was it? Well, his husband, Jaymes Vaughan, is doing something that is somehow both chaotic and deeply relatable; and yes, fans are losing it. If you’ve ever straightened up your place before someone saw it, you’re going to feel this on a spiritual level.

A Bit of Hotel Room Silliness 

In the short video (seen above) Jaymes is hustling through their hotel room, tidying, straightening, and basically doing everything short of vacuuming the walls. The on-screen text explains the situation perfectly: 

“My husband cleaning the entire hotel room because housekeeping is coming to clean the hotel room and they ‘can’t know we live like this.’” 

The funniest part? You can practically hear him thinking through every detail, determined to make the room look flawless before housekeeping shows up.

Jonathan kept the caption simple, yet full of affection: “He’s adorable.” And yep, he’s right. There’s something genuinely endearing about someone putting in this much effort just to keep up appearances. It’s chaotic, it’s funny, and it’s so, so relatable. And let’s be real; many of us have felt the urgent need to scrub a counter or fluff pillows before guests (or in this case, housekeeping) show up.

Fans immediately chimed in with reactions that were equal parts “me too” and “this is everything.” One wrote, “Ohhhh….I have one those. Bless their hearts 😂,” while another said, “Look at @jaymesv being all Christmasy polite 😍.” And yes, it seems like we all secretly know someone (or are someone) who does this exact thing.

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Jaymes Brings the Sass

Of course, Jaymes had to add his own signature humor. He responded in the comments, “My mom was a cleaning lady. You know this. Let me do me.” Honestly, that’s peak energy; taking pride in his quirks while giving a little nod to where it all started.

Even other celebrities are out here relating. Kimberly J. Brown, the “Halloweentown” alum, commented, “@jaymesv and I are one in the same 🤷‍♀️😁.” And even more of the fans agreed. They went full confessional with comments ranging from “Love it! This is so me!! ❤️ At restaurants I clean up and stack the plates!!” to “OMG, I thought I was the only one that did this 🤣.” It was basically a collective sigh of, “Yes. Same. Finally someone gets it.”

This tiny moment proves one thing: even celebrities have those small, ridiculous, adorable quirks that make them human (a.k.a. seriously relatable). Jonathan and Jaymes just reminded us that love, humor, and a little bit of chaos are universal; and that sometimes, the only thing better than a clean hotel room is laughing at the lengths someone will go to get it that way.

Jonathan Bennett most recently appeared in the Hallmark film, “A Keller Christmas Vacation” and is the host of “Finding Mr. Christmas,” both available on Hallmark+.

The post Jonathan Bennett Captures the Most Relatable Husband Moment Ever [VIDEO] appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

There’s not much Reba McEntire hasn’t accomplished in her 50-year career, from releasing chart-topping albums to writing bestselling books to starring in multiple hit sitcoms, including her current NBC show, “Happy’s Place.” But there is one thing the country superstar and coach on “The Voice” hasn’t done yet: a Hallmark movie.

McEntire’s “Happy’s Place” co-star and Hallmark fan-favorite Melissa Peterman thinks it’s time. On December 6, 2025, Peterman told Decider that she’d love to make a movie with McEntire, revealing that the songstress is already a Hallmark fan.

And to add to the fun, Peterman said she wants to involve their former “Reba” co-star Joanna Garcia Swisher, who’s recently developed and starred in projects for Hallmark, too. Giddy-up!

Melissa Peterman Would Love to Create a Travel Comedy With Reba McEntire & Joanna Garcia Swisher

While at the second weekend of the Hallmark Christmas Experience in Kansas City, Decider asked Peterman, who’s the lead judge on “Finding Mr. Christmas,” about the possibility of bringing McEntire over to the Hallmark Channel.

“You know what, it’s so funny, we just had Joanna Garcia come do a guest spot (on ‘Happy’s Place’), we were talking about it,” Peterman said. “Because Joanna’s done some stuff for Hallmark.”

Noting that they’d love to work as a trio on a movie “in the vein of, like, ‘Planes, Trains (and) Automobiles,’ getting home for the holidays, something like that.”

“But Reba would be great,” Peterman added. “Also, she would probably want to write music for it.”

Lots of fans urged Hallmark to follow up on Peterman’s comments and get her, McEntire, and Garcia Swisher into a movie together, including one who wrote, “@Hallmark please get on this! Love them! ❤️”

Technically, McEntire is already part of the Hallmark family, given that her previous sitcom “Reba” airs regularly in reruns on Hallmark Channel.

Reba McEntire is a ‘Heartie,’ According to Melissa Peterman

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Peterman also told Decider that McEntire “loves Hallmark and probably calls herself a Heartie,” noting that the country star “loves” the long-running Hallmark series “When Calls The Heart.”

When the show’s social media account saw that, it commented on Decider’s Instagram post, “We love that @reba is a Heartie! The #Hearties welcome her with open arms! 🫶”

McEntire’s not the only famous face known to love the period drama, which premieres its 13th season on January 4. Billy Bob Thornton has also made it known he’s a fan, according to Kayla Wallace, who has spent several seasons on the show and now also appears on “Landman” with Thornton.

In November, Wallace — who is married to WCTH leading man Kevin McGarry — told Extra, “I met him a couple days before we shot the first day of season one. The first thing he said to me was, ‘I know you from that show ‘When Calls the Heart,’ and I was like, ‘Um, okay, you’re Billy Bob Thornton, this is not the way this conversation is supposed to go!’ He’s just so wonderful.”

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Longtime Hallmark hunk Luke Macfarlane is hotter than hot in Hollywood right now. Not only was his Apple+ series “Platonic” just picked up for a third season, but Deadline reported on December 9, 2025, that the “Home Is Where The Heart Is” star is joining the cast of ABC’s “Shifting Gears” in a surprise role.

Fans are thrilled for Macfarlane, but also wonder whether Macfarlane will continue to star in Hallmark projects, too.

Luke Macfarlane Has Likely Already Filmed With ‘Shifting Gears’ Cast

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“Shifting Gears,” now in the middle of its second season, stars Tim Allen as Matt Parker — a widower who owns a classic car restoration shop — and Kat Dennings as his estranged daughter, Riley, who moves back into his house with her kids.

According to Deadline, Macfarlane will join the series later in the season as Sam Parker — Riley’s brother and Matt’s son. Though the character, a Navy hero, has been alluded to multiple times on the show, he’s never been seen by viewers.

After the news broke, Macfarlane shared a screenshot of Deadline’s article in his Instagram stories and wrote, “Happy to be a member of the family.”

Macfarlane has likely already begun filming with the cast. According to ticketing manager 1iota, the season finale is scheduled to film in front of a live audience on December 16.

Will Luke Macfarlane Still Appear on Hallmark Channel Amid ‘Shifting Gears’ Role?

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Given that Macfarlane’s new gig is described as a “guest star” role and he’s been able to continue working with Hallmark while filming “Platonic,” it’s likely the actor will remain part of the Hallmark family in tandem with his other projects.

In fact, he’s already slated to appear in “Caught By Love” co-starring Rachael Leigh Cook on January 24. Hallmark’s synopsis says, “While on a journey of self-discovery, a resort guest gets swept into an undercover investigation for stolen jewels that turns into an unexpected and adventurous romance.”

In early September, fellow rom-com favorite Brittany Bristow revealed in her Instagram Stories that she was filming a new rom-com with Macfarlane, but it’s not known of that movie will land on Hallmark. The network also has not announced whether his unscripted home renovation series has been renewed for a second season.

Macfarlane, who shares his two-year-old daughter Tess with his longtime partner, Hig Roberts, also told Photoshoot Magazine in September that he’d love to return to doing live theater. The Juilliard grad said, “I am excited to go back and do some theater work. It’s been a while now and I need to be scared [expletive]-less again on a Broadway stage before the curtain goes up.”

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Returning Hallmark star Brooke Shields gave fans a good giggle recently when she joined Jenna Bush Hager as co-host for Bush Hager’s morning show. Cameras caught the unexpected mishap, and Shields played it off like a pro.

Brooke Shields Delivered the Perfect Comedic Response

The momentary chaos began right as the show started. Bush Hager and Shields greeted one another and eased into their chairs. However, the ladies simultaneously realized that for some reason, Shields’ ended up positioned abnormally low.

Bush Hager and Shields spoke over one another as Bush Hager began, “Why are you?” Shields questioned, “Why am I at the kids’ table?” Bush Hager looked out, likely at producers, and stated, “You guys, something’s wrong.”

Both Shields and Bush Hager then said, “Something is very wrong.”

Shields comedically quipped, “I get it. It’s your show,” joking that she was made to look much shorter so Bush Hager, as the host, could look taller.

The mild chaos continued as both ladies stood up, and Bush Hager asked her co-host, “Is this the first time in your whole life you’ve ever felt not tall?” Shields‘ 6-foot height means she is accustomed to towering over many of her female colleagues.

Fans Had a Good Laugh Over the Comical Moment

Shields joked that she would just stand, and Bush Hager promised they would get a new chair. Before producers could replace the chair, both ladies sat back down. This time, Shields didn’t seem to sink nearly as low.

Luckily, producers quickly acquired a replacement chair, and the ladies continued with the show.

The chair mishap prompted giggles from fans on Instagram.

One fan wrote, “Brooke is the best!! She’s funny, smart, and beautiful. Keep her on the show please!”

Another laughed, “Hilarious… ‘I get it, it’s your show!!'”

“Brooke is never not funny,” declared another fan.

While Shields is not sticking around Bush Hager’s morning show, she is heading back to Hallmark. As People noted, she will reprise her role as Charlotte Thornton in “When Calls the Heart” for a handful of episodes in season 13.

As Hallmark fans may remember, Shields also headlined the “Flower Shop Mysteries” movies on Hallmark nearly a decade ago. Ultimately, she wrote in her latest book, she decided to leave as she wasn’t pleased with how the series was developing her character.

Shields has set that all aside now and is thrilled to return to “When Calls the Heart.” Season 13 debuts on January 4, 2026, and a Hallmark sneak peek suggests that Shields’ character will have some fun moments with Nathan Grant (Kevin McGarry) and Erin Krakow (Elizabeth Thornton).

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Whether you’ve watched every episode of “Finding Mr. Christmas” since its 2024 premiere or you’re brand new to the most adorable unscripted competition on television, you need to watch the latest episode, which Hallmark Channel premiered on December 8, 2025.

Before season two’s seventh episode aired, Jonathan Bennett — the show’s host and co-creator — wrote in his Instagram Stories that it was “the best episode of TV I’ve ever been involved with in my 25 year career.”

That’s saying something, given Bennett’s lengthy TV resume, including hosting over 40 episodes of Food Network’s “Halloween Wars,” competing on “Celebrity Big Brother,” and acting on iconic TV shows from “Awkward” to “Fantasy Island.” But we can totally see why this episode of “Finding Mr. Christmas” takes the cake.

Jonathan Bennett Brings Contestants’ Moms & His 2nd Mom Sharon Lawrence to ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

The latest episode is highly consequential, with Bennett announcing the three big-hearted hunks who are advancing to the December 15 finale, all vying to be Hallmark’s next leading man with a major role in an upcoming Christmas movie.

But it’s also deeply moving, as the four remaining contestants write heartfelt Christmas cards (Hallmark, of course) to their moms back home. As soon as they do, they’re surprised by their moms in-person, including model Marcus Brodie’s mother, who was diagnosed with cancer just before filming began.

Seeing the guys’ tearful reunions with their mothers, and then reading their loving notes aloud to them, had “Finding Mr. Christmas” judge Melissa Peterman in tears, missing her own college-aged son. As if that wasn’t emotional enough, Bennett brings in TV legend Sharon Lawrence, who played his mom in Hallmark’s “The Christmas House” movies and has become a second mom to him in real life, too.

She already had tears in her eyes when she walked around the corner to see the four contestants and, thrilled to be part of Bennett’s TV creation, she held on to him while beaming, “I’m so proud of my boy!”

Bennett then got teary-eyed as he told the group that, after bonding with Lawrence during their movies, “When it came time for my wedding, because my mom happens to be in Heaven, Sharon stepped in to be my mom during that moment in time, and was a flower girl for me and Jaymes.”

This episode is like a long-overdue ode to boy moms. All of the women featured have raised or lifted up young men who are empathetic, creative, focused, and LOVE their mamas, and it was so beautiful to see.

‘Finding Mr. Christmas’ Contestants Sweetly Rehearsed Lines With Their Moms

For the Star Quality Challenge, the four contestants — Marcus Brodie, Angel Garet, Rustin Sailors, and Craig Geoghan — were told they’d all need to film the same emotional scene with Lawrence, playing her son during their first Christmas after losing his dad and her husband.

The guys got to rehearse with their real moms, who were all so encouraging and delighted to get to spend time with their grown sons. The moms then got to sit with Bennett and Peterman, watching their sons’ emotional scenes play out on the monitor. Angel’s mom was so proud and thrilled to witness him acting that she was overcome with emotion, which then got Peterman crying, too.

“I get it,” she told his mom. “I know exactly what you’re feeling.”

In case you haven’t watched, we’re not going to tell you which three men advanced to the finale, but each scene was beautifully different. One of the gems of “Finding Mr. Christmas” is getting to see how subtle shifts in delivery and emotion can totally change a scene’s tone. Lawrence proved she’s a pro, so in tune with each actor during his scene, and bringing forward her own raw emotion each time.

Treat yourself to this episode of feel-good, mom-centric, powerful TV this holiday season. And while you’re at it, watch the whole sweet and often hilarious season. It’s reality TV with a huge heart.

To catch up on “Finding Mr. Christmas” before the December 15 finale, every episode is available to stream now via Hallmark+. Pssst! You can get 50% off the monthly or annual subscription using these coupon codes when you sign up here.

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Brad Paisley and his wife, Hallmark star Kimberly Williams-Paisley, first opened their free Nashville grocery store — fittingly called The Store — in 2020, and demand has since grown significantly.

“Food insecurity in the Nashille area is at a ten year high and what this place is doing to feed locals is BRILLIANT,” Kimberly’s sister, Ashley Williams, wrote on Instagram on October 23.

In 2022, the couple decided to turn The Store into a Christmas toy store, giving families in need the chance to get their kids the gifts they really want. In 2025, The Toy Store moved to a larger location at the Colman Park Community Center. The reason is simple: The need for a place like The Toy Store became even greater than the couple initially planned.

New, Bigger Location Elevates Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s The Toy Store

“It’s really exciting. We outgrew our original location because, of course, it was at The Store, which is currently operating and serving our customers,” “The Sister Swap” star told “NewsChannel 5.” “And we had to move to a bigger location. It’s bigger and better.”

“For me, this was the vision in the beginning,” Brad chimed in. “When we first started talking about doing The Store in general, the Christmas aspect of this, and turning it into a toy store at Christmas, was the goal. To me, I know that feeding people is the mission for us. But nothing illustrates the vision of dignity and choice like this.”

“When you see kids come in and get to pick what they want, it’s just the best encapsulation of what we want to do,” he continued. “And there’s just no better feeling. Everybody at Christmas wants a kid to get what they want, and have a good Christmas, and this is really special for me as a child at heart to get to see this.”

600 Volunteers Helped Create the Annual Toy Store Event

The Toy Store might be the brainchild of Kimberly and Brad, but the entire community helps make it happen. Six hundred volunteers helped make kids’ Christmas dreams come true this year. While The Toy Store has corporate sponsors like Sam’s Club, it also depends on donations. This year, bicycles and guitars were among the generous contributions.

Elf on the Shelf is also a sponsor of The Toy Store, and according to Brad, the family’s elves, Pinocchio and Snowflake, inspired his new song “That Crazy Elf (On The Shelf).”

“We have the two most creative elves in all the Middle Tennessee area in our house for some strange reason,” Brad said. “I don’t know why, but they’re really wild. They’re bizarre. They do things — I just don’t know how they think of these things.”

This year’s The Toy Store saw more than 1000 kids show up with their parents the weekend of December 5 to pick out toys. According to Kimberly, “Many chose gifts they wanted to give away to their loved ones.” Who knows, maybe they’ll need an even bigger space next year.

The post ‘Dignity and Choice’: Hallmark Couple Celebrate Growth of Christmas Toy Store appeared first on EntertainmentNow.

Beloved Hallmark actor Brennan Elliott received an outpouring of love from fans at the second weekend of the network’s Hallmark Christmas Experience (HCE) in Kansas City, held December 5-7, 2025. The star of over 20 Hallmark movies shared multiple Instagram videos on December 8, thanking fans for their warm response to his return.

Elliott’s last Hallmark role was in “His & Hers” opposite Lacey Chabert in the fall of 2024, months before the March 2025 death of his beloved wife, Camilla Row, who fought gastric cancer for eight years. Elliott has been adjusting to life as a single dad to their kids, 13-year-old Liam and 11-year-old Luna, and has periodically hinted at filming new projects, but HCE marked his first official appearance in over a year.

“To say I am touched by the appreciation for the work, the roles and the movies that I have done would be an understatement,” Elliott captioned one of his videos of fans at HCE cheering for him. “In a year that has been tough you all made me smile and warmed my heart!”

Brennan Elliott Alluded to Future Hallmark Projects in New Posts

Elliott’s participation in panels, games, and photo ops at the second weekend of HCE was a welcome sight to his fans, many of whom have been concerned that he wouldn’t return to making Hallmark movies.

The “Cedar Cove” alum seemed to put those fears to rest in his posts, writing in one, “Thank you @hallmarkchannel and all you supportive and loving fans! Till the next movie where we can go on another journey together!”

In another post, taken as he took the stage at HCE, Elliott wrote, “THANKYOU for your warmth and love! It was an amazing time to feel your love, appreciation for the work,the characters and the movies that I’ve been so lucky to play and create for @hallmarkchannel. Can’t wait to bring you more! #happyholidays and till our next film journey together”

Many fans noted how glad they were to see Elliott enjoying his time with former co-stars, including Chabert, and fans, including someone who commented, “How awesome what a wonderful feeling for you so much love ❤️😍🙌”

Hallmark Colleagues & Fans Held Cancer Fundraiser in Honor of Brennan Elliott’s Family

Hallmark

Prioritizing family time before and after his wife’s death required Elliott to be much more selective about the roles he accepted in recent years. Though he hasn’t been in any new Hallmark projects lately, he has been in the hearts of his fans and co-stars at the network.

In June, Hallmark’s Ashley Williams and Alison Sweeney teamed up with pal Benjamin Ayres’ Romance University to raise money for StandUp2Cancer. The trio hosted an Instagram Live in which they said they wanted to honor Elliott and his family, selling limited-edition t-shirts before Williams’ and Sweeney’s “To Barcelona” movie premieres.

Ayres later told EntertainmentNow that fans raised an amazing $5625 for the cancer charity through t-shirt purchases and donations.

Days after his appearance at HCE, Elliott will be back with many of his Hallmark colleagues and fans at Christmas Con in New Jersey from December 12-14.

The post Brennan Elliott ‘Touched’ by Outpouring of Love in 1st Hallmark Appearance Since Wife’s Passing appeared first on EntertainmentNow.