Hallmark Channel Stars Then and Now

Hallmark Channel is celebrating its 25th birthday this August, and to commemorate our signature storytelling over the last 25 years, we’re taking a look at some of our stars’ first movies and series—as well as what's in store next!

These performances helped define the classic Hallmark magic fans know and love, from swoon-worthy romantic comedies to crime-solving mystery sleuthing. Join us in celebrating a quarter century of storytelling, and all of the journeys still to come!

Swipe through for a closer look, and don’t forget to tune in all month long for classic movies on Hallmark Channel!

SWIPE THROUGH TO EXPLORE >>

Hallmark’s Queen of Christmas, Lacey Chabert, starred in her first-ever Hallmark Channel movie - Elevator Girl - all the way back in 2010! She followed that shortly after in 2012 with Matchmaker Santa, starring alongside the iconic Florence Henderson.

Lacey Chabert has since starred in over 45 movies with Hallmark Channel, including 10 alone with Brennan Elliott and 15 Christmas movies! She has hosted her own series on Hallmark+, Celebrations with Lacey Chabert, and she’s starring in the all-new six-episode exclusive limited Hallmark+ series, Paris is Always a Good Idea, streaming now. Lacey is also bringing the Christmas magic this holiday season, starring in Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True - filmed on location at Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida! Don’t miss it during Hallmark Channel’s 17th annual Countdown to Christmas.

Lacey’s career started in the theater, where she began performing at just 7 years old!

Andie starred in the fan-favorite Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Riding the Bus with my Sister in 2005 with Rosie O'Donnell. In 2017, Andie starred in the Hallmark original movie, At Home in Mitford opposite Cameron Mathison, and in 2018 she starred in the heartfelt Hallmark Hall of Fame movie The Beach House, based on the best-selling novel by Mary Alice Monroe.

Andie played the iconic matriarch Del Landry in the mystery time travel show on Hallmark Channel, The Way Home. Check out a sneak peek at season one with Andie MacDowell.

Andie MacDowell starred in three seasons of the Hallmark Channel original series, Cedar Cove, in which she played Olivia, a small town lawyer! You can catch all episodes of Cedar Cove on Hallmark+.

Andrew’s very first film for Hallmark Channel was A Bride for Christmas, which premiered in 2012 and also featured costar Arielle Kebbel. The two starred in another original just three years later in Bridal Wave.

He went on to star in many movie premieres including the memorable A Dream of Christmas alongside Nikki DeLoach in 2016, and the two also appeared in The Perfect Catch in 2017!

Andrew continues to shine brightly in the iconic Three Wise Men movies alongside fellow Hallmark stars Tyler Hynes and Paul Campbell.

His most recent film in 2026, Kentucky Roses, centered around a greenhouse worker and the son of Churchill Downs' CEO who form an unlikely pair, coming together to save the Kentucky Derby rose blanket and uncovering a generational love story along the way.

Andrew Walker and his wife Cassandra Troy founded a cold-pressed juice company in 2013 called “Little West.”

Erin Krakow is perhaps best known for her long-running role as Elizabeth Thornton (née, Thatcher) in Hallmark Channel's hit drama series When Calls the Heart. But Erin's Hallmark journey began back in 2014 when she starred in Hallmark Channel movies including Chance at Romance and A Cookie Cutter Christmas, and soon after in 2016, she helmed the Father Christmas movies with Niall Matter.

Since then, Erin has shined in her starring role in When Calls the Heart for 14 seasons, and she’s starred in Hallmark Channel movies with the likes of Brendan Penny, Tyler Hynes, Robert Buckley, and more. You can watch her latest film on Hallmark+, Christmas Above the Clouds, where she starred opposite Hynes in a modern take on A Christmas Carol!

Erin Krakow is married to long-time When Calls the Heart co-star, Ben Rosenbaum! The two welcomed a child together in early 2026. Additionally, Erin went to school at The Juilliard School in New York City where she studied drama.

Tyler first stole our hearts in 2018 in his first Hallmark Channel movie, Falling For You, alongside veteran Hallmark star Taylor Colr. Other early movie titles include It’s Christmas, Eve opposite LeAnn Rimes, and Flip That Romance with co-star Julie Gonzalo.

Recent highlights from Tyler’s Hallmark Channel career include the 2025 Christmas classic, Christmas Above the Clouds, as well as I'll Be Seeing You opposite Stacey Farber in 2026! He's also a staple in the Groomsmen Trilogy with Jonathan Bennett and BJ Britt, as well as the Three Wise Men movies with Andrew Walker and Paul Campbell.

Tyler has starred in no less than 27 original movies for Hallmark Channel! He is an accomplished actor, director, producer, editor, writer and musician, and is constantly striving to create and star in new and innovative projects.

In her early days as a Hallmark star, Autumn Reeser starred in Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade opposite Antonio Cupo, and in Midnight Masquerade as the adorable Elyse with costar Christopher Russell. Her first Christmas movie for Hallmark was A Bramble House Christmas in 2017!

Autumn continues to shine on screen in lovable movies like Junebug, the Wedding Veil Trilogy of movies alongside Lacey Chabert and Alison Sweeney, and the 2026 holiday movie, We Met in December, with costar Niall Matter.

In addition to her extensive film and television career, Autumn Reeser is a longtime theatre performer!

Her first movie with Hallmark was none other than The Christmas Secret in which she plays a struggling single mother looking to find her place in the world. Other early Hallmark films include Bottled with Love opposite Andrew Walker and Royal Matchmaker alongside Will Kemp.

Bethany plays the iconic character of Rebecca in the Hallmark+ original series Hope Valley: 1874 alongside costars Benjamin Ayres and Jill Hennessy. She also starred in the 2023 time travel Christmas adventure A Biltmore Christmas with Kristoffer Polaha! Other memorable Hallmark movies include the delightful summer offering Savoring Paris and Five Star Christmas with costar Victor Webster.

Along with acting, Bethany is also an award-winning director, a singer, composer, producer and fine artist!

In 2016, Kristoffer’s first Hallmark role was opposite Meghan Markle in Dater's Handbook, in which a woman changes her personality according to a dating guide book to find a husband - but realizes the man she wants is the one who loves her for who she is. His second movie was Hearts of Christmas with costar Emilie Ullerup, and soon after, Rocky Mountain Christmas with Lindy Booth.

Kristoffer has co-starred in high visibility Christmas movies like A Grand Ole Opry Christmas with Nikki DeLoach, the adventurous movie The Christmas Quest alongside Lacey Chabert and with Bethany Joy Lenz in the delightful holiday title, A Biltmore Christmas.

Kristoffer recently wrote, directed, and starred in the 2021 short film - A Work of Art - which premiered at The Cannes Film Festival!

Luke Macfarlane played Gabe in The Memory Book with costar Meghan Ory, about the discovery of a book of photos showcasing the romance of a young couple from the early seventies. His next two Hallmark premieres, Christmas Land with Nikki DeLoach and The Mistletoe Promise with co-star Jaime King, aired during Countdown to Christmas in 2015 and 2016.

For Hallmark+ Luke cohosted one season of Home is Where the Heart Is with Olivia Westbrooks. In all six episodes, the show takes audiences inside a house that has been inherited or holds special familial meaning, and is overdue for a facelift. In recent years, Luke starred with Rachael Leigh Cook in the summer offering, Caught by Love and the comedic holiday movie, Catch Me If you Claus, with Italia Ricci.

Luke Macfarlane is a woodworker and carpenter and worked in those fields before becoming an actor!

Robert’s first Hallmark movie was “Love in Store” (alongside about two rival home shopping hosts are forced together while competing for a promotion. Along the way they find their on-air chemistry kindles an off-air spark. He also starred in “The Christmas House” and “The Christmas House 2: Deck the Halls” as the lovable Mike.

Robert was featured in season 7 of the original Hallmark Channel series “Chesapeake Shores” and played Evan, Abby’s eccentric love interest. In 2025, he starred as Ted in “Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper!” with Kimberley Sustad.

In 2026 you can catch Robert at the Hallmark Christmas Experience in Kansas City!

Robert Buckley is a southern Calfifornia native! He earned a degree in Economics then spent a year and a half working as an Economic Consultant before throwing in the towel to head off to LA to pursue a career in entertainment.

Nikki's first movie was the sweet and iconic “Christmas Land” with Luke Macfarlane and was followed up by the 2016 premiere of “A Dream of Christmas” where a restless young married woman is granted a wish by a Christmas Angel to be single again, she soon discovers her new life isn't what she bargained for, and embarks on a quest to win her husband back.

You can find Nikki in season 2 of “Christmas at Sea” on Hallmark+! Recent roles in romantic comedy movies for Hallmark Channel include “The Greek Aisle,” “Home Turf” with costar Warren Christie, and the holiday movie, “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas” with longtime Hallmark star, Kristoffer Polaha.

Did you know? At age 12, DeLoach became a member of “The Mickey Mouse Club.”Nikki has co-starred with Hallmark leading man Andrew Walker in “A Dream of Christmas” “The Perfect Catch” “Sweet Autumn” and six Curious Caterer mystery movies!

Tamera Mowry-Housley’s Hallmark Channel career began back in 2019 with the film A Christmas Miracle, followed shortly by other holiday classics such as Christmas Comes Twice, Inventing the Christmas Prince, and Scouting for Christmas.

These days, you can see Tamera leading the Haunted Harmony Mysteries series alongside Marco Grazzini and Risteard Cooper. Don’t miss the 4th movie in this series premiering this fall on September 5 at 8/7c - Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Prelude to a Wedding.

Tamera hosted her own unscripted baking show on Hallmark in 2025, Baked with Love, which you can stream on Hallmark+!

STREAM THE TAMERA MOWRY-HOUSLEY COLLECTION ON HALLMARK+.

In early days, Taylor first starred in the Hallmark Channel original movie, “Appetite for Love” with fellow costar Andrew Walker. In the movie, Taylor’s character Mina has everything going for her, but her world is suddenly turned upside down when work sends her to her hometown in Tennessee to convince an old, stubborn restaurant owner to sell his property. Taylor’s second movie, “My Second Prince” had her acting alongside Jack Turner, Marina Sirtis and Lauren Holly.

In recent years Taylor starred as Nora in the fun, summer romance movie, “Double Scoop” with Ryan McPartlin and has appeared in both seasons of “Christmas at Sea.” She will also be found at this year’s Hallmark Christmas Experience with other Hallmark stars!

Taylor Cole was a model and worked internationally before becoming an actor!

Scott’s first role with Hallmark Channel was in In the Key of Love in 2019. You can also see Foster in Love, for Real, and opposite Janel Parrish in Return to Office.

Scott is starring opposite Lacey Chabert in the all-new Hallmark+ exclusive series, Paris Is Always a Good Idea! New episodes stream Thursdays.

You may recognize Scott from his role as Captain John Paul "Cappie" Jones in ABC Family's Greek, as well as from his role as Nathaniel Plimpton III in the musical comedy series, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

STREAM PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA ON HALLMARK+

In 2010, Jonathan Bennett had a supporting role in Elevator Girl as Nick, the supportive friend to Lacey Chabert’s character, Liberty. Other early roles include Christmas Made to Order opposite Alexa PenaVega, and in The Christmas House movies in which he played Brandon.

Jonathan played the lovable Sam opposite George Krissa in the 2022 movie The Holiday Sitter, and was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award nomination! His enthusiastic presence can be seen in both seasons of the Hallmark+ original series Christmas at Sea, as well as the series Finding Mr. Christmas. He can also be seen in the 2026 Hallmark Christmas Experience in Kansas City this upcoming holiday season.

Bennett’s first entrance into film was the smash hit Mean Girls in which he starred opposite Lindsay Lohan!

Wes Brown's first Hallmark Channel movie was all the way back in 2011 with Love Begins. His Christmas movie resume since then is quite deep, having starred in such classics as Love's Christmas Journey, Christmas Cookies, Christmas at Graceland and Haul Out the Holly with Lacey Chabert!

Wes most recently starred in the 2025 Christmas movie A Newport Christmas with Hallmark star Ginna Claire Mason. You can also catch him in the unscripted series Ready, Set, Glow! on Hallmark+, a holiday lights showcase spectacular in which Brown takes viewers around the country to some of the most impressive, festive displays.

Wes served as executive producer on Sweet Pecan Summer and Check Inn to Christmas, and he wrote an original song featured in Every Time a Bell Rings!

Warren Christie has been a leading man on Hallmark since 2008 with his role in the holiday classic, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, alongside Henry Winkler. You can also see him star in other holiday classics like If I Only Had Christmas, Holiday Road and Our Holiday Story.

Christie helmed two Hallmark Channel movies in 2025, Home Turf alongside Nikki DeLoach, and A Royal Montana Christmas with Fiona Gubelmann.

Warren was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but grew up mainly in London, Ontario.

Alison Sweeney has been a staple in Hallmark movies and series for years, beginning with the movie Second Chances in 2013. Soon after, she took the leading role in multiple mystery series with the Hannah Swensen Mysteries opposite Victor Webster and Barbara Niven, as well as the Chronicle Mysteries with Benjamin Ayres! Ali has also starred with Lacey Chabert, Autumn Reeser and Kevin McGarry in The Wedding Veil series of movies.

Alison has since starred in over 30 movies with Hallmark Channel, and recently she even shared the screen with her daughter in Romance at Hope Ranch! Don’t miss her in the latest installment of the Hannah Swensen mysteries, Best Served Cold: A Hannah Swensen Mystery.

At age 16, Alison joined the cast of the daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives, where she held the iconic and long-running role of Sami Brady - a role for which she earned an Emmy nomination for Best Lead Actress!

Ashley Williams’ Hallmark Channel journey started more than a decade ago when she starred as Poppy in the 2015 movie October Kiss.

Ashley has starred with the like of Paul Campbell in Holiday Hearts, Niall Matter in Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater, and Andrew Walker in Jingle Bell Run. Ashley Williams has not only worked in front of the camera as an actress, but she’s also picked up producer, writer, director, mentor, and occasional host credits in the meantime. Ashley launched Make Her Mark in 2023 - a Hallmark initiative focused on mentoring and increasing opportunities for female directors. In 2024, Ashley worked on a film near and dear to her heart in Falling Together, where her character rallies her neighbors to volunteer for the local Walk to End Alzheimer's – a cause Ashley is personally connected to, as her mother passed from the illness

Ashley is the younger sister of fellow actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and the sisters got to act together in Hallmark's Sister Swap movies!

Benjamin Ayres' Hallmark Channel career started back in 2017 with the fall fan-favorite, Falling for Vermont, starring alongside Julie Gonzalo. Soon after, Ayres starred in the Chronicle Mysteries with Alison Sweeney as local newspaper editor, Drew. You can also see him star in classic Hallmark Christmas films like A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas, You, Me & The Christmas Trees, and Long Lost Christmas!

These days, you can find Benjamin as rancher Tom Moore in the Hallmark+ When Calls the Heart prequel series, Hope Valley: 1874, starring alongside Bethany Joy Lenz and Jill Hennessy.

Benjamin created Romance University, a fan community initiative that has supported charitable causes while connecting Hallmark stars and viewers over a love of romance.

Back in 2015, Holly Robinson-Peete starred in Angel of Christmas, and in 2017, she starred alongside Ashley Williams in the first Christmas in Evergreen movie! She soon after took on the role of TV host and restaurant owner Billie Blessings in the Morning Show Mysteries movies.

You can catch Holly starring alongside Ginna Claire Mason in the 2025 derby movie, Hats Off to Love.

Holly and her family had a reality series on Hallmark Channel called Meet the Peetes in 2018 that followed their hectic lives balancing four kids, including one with autism, running their HollyRod charity, and spending time with Holly’s 81-year-old mother Dolores! Peete is also a bestselling author and autism advocate.

Rachael Leigh Cook's first movie with Hallmark Channel was Summer Love back in 2016, followed closely with The Vineyard franchise of movies. She can be seen starring in Christmas classics like A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas, Cross Country Christmas and Rescuing Christmas.

Cook starred opposite another familiar Hallmark face - Luke Macfarlane - in the 2026 original romantic comedy Caught by Love.

Rachael Leigh Cook helmed the iconic 2001 musical comedy film, Josie and the Pussycats!

Niall Matter's first Hallmark Channel movie was back in 2016 with Stop the Wedding, which he starred in opposite Rachel Boston. In the last 10 years, Niall has starred in 26 movies, including the Father Christmas movies, the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, and Christmas classics like Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater, Holiday Hotline, and We Met in December.

Matter will be starring with Ashley Williams in the Fall Into Love original romantic movie, Much About Love, premiering Saturday August 29!

Niall made a cameo in the 2023 Hallmark Channel Christmas movie, The Santa Summit, as DJ Ginger Jeff! You can watch a clip below.

Lori Loughlin started her Hallmark career in 2013 as Abigail Stanton in the long-running series, When Calls the Heart. The same year, Lori took on the starring role of Jennifer Shannon, antiques expert with a knack for solving crimes, in the Garage Sale Mysteries movies. You can also find her in Christmas movies like Northpole: Open for Christmas, Every Christmas Has a Story and Homegrown Christmas.

Lori is returning to the When Calls the Heart cast in season 14 as Abigail Stanton, and she'll be starring in another installment of Garage Sale Mysteries in 2026!

Lori starred as the iconic Aunt Becky in the series Full House!

Sarah Drew starred in a fan-favorite Christmas classic - Christmas in Vienna - opposite Brennan Elliott. You can also see her in Branching Out with Juan Pablo Di Pace, Guiding Emily, and One Summer.

Sarah Drew stars in the Christmas mystery series - Mistletoe Murders - with Peter Mooney, and you can catch season 3 on Hallmark Channel this holiday season!

Sarah Drew played Dr. April Kepner on the iconic series Grey's Anatomy for nearly 10 years!