Andie MacDowell Joins Hallmark’s Grand Biltmore Christmas in Asheville

Hallmark has officially wrapped production on its newest holiday romance, A Grand Biltmore Christmas. If early details are any clue, this sequel is going bigger, grander, and honestly, just more magical than the first.

Filmed right at the iconic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, the movie brings back some Hallmark favorites. There’s even an unexpected Hollywood legend in the mix this time.

The story dives deeper into the time-bending love story that first caught everyone’s attention. From sparkling Gilded Age ballrooms to Asheville’s modern hotspots, here’s what you need to know about the festive film that’s already stirring up serious Countdown to Christmas buzz.

A Return to America’s Largest House — With Even More Magic

The original film charmed viewers with its blend of historical romance and a dash of time travel. The sequel? It’s promising to crank up the magic even more.

Biltmore House is once again the emotional and visual heart of the story. This time, though, we’re getting a closer look.

Deeper Inside the 250-Room Mansion

Audiences won’t just be peeking through the windows. Production got access to more jaw-dropping spaces inside this French Château-style landmark.

Get ready for sweeping shots and cozy scenes in:

• The Library
• The Banquet Hall
• The Tapestry Gallery
• The Swimming Pool

The sequel keeps that mystical thread from the 2023 film, where magic and mystery mingle and time travel is just a twist of a mystical hourglass away. We’re following Elizabeth and Michael again—they first meet as teenagers on Christmas Eve, 1895, the year Biltmore House opened.

The story jumps between 1915 and present-day Asheville, testing if love can really cross eras. It’s a big swing, but that’s part of the fun.

Familiar Faces and a Legendary New Addition

Hallmark fans are loyal, and the network gets it. A Grand Biltmore Christmas brings back cast members people already love, but there’s also an actress this time who just elevates everything.

Andie MacDowell Steps Into the Holiday Spotlight

In a move that’s already got people talking, Andie MacDowell is joining as Aunt Maysilee. She’s a prim, practical, and opinionated aunt, determined to steer her niece Elizabeth by the rules of society.

Her character tags along with Elizabeth to Biltmore for the holidays, bringing both warmth and, honestly, some tension to the romance. MacDowell’s involvement adds a dose of prestige and real Southern authenticity.

She’s got roots in the region and knows Asheville well, so her casting feels more like a homecoming than a headline grab.

The Core Cast Returns

Holland Roden and Niall Matter are back as Elizabeth and Michael, carrying on their love story across the centuries. Roden’s got her Teen Wolf fans, and Matter is a Hallmark staple.

They’ve both talked about how supportive the Hallmark environment is. Matter even said the Hallmark family is unlike any other brand, and you can tell there’s genuine camaraderie on set.

Jonathan Frakes is also returning as Winston, the Biltmore House tour guide. He brings a nice sense of continuity and, for longtime fans, maybe a wink or two.

A Hallmark Powerhouse Behind the Scenes

Holiday magic doesn’t just happen. It takes a team that really gets how to mix romance, nostalgia, and spectacle just right.

The Creative Team That Knows the Formula

Director Dustin Rikert is back for the sequel. Screenwriter Marcy Holland returns too, shaping the script again.

Producer Andrew Gernhard of Synthetic Cinema International is on board, keeping the tone and look in line with the original. Rachel Boston and Wes Brown are back as actors from the fictional 1940s film-within-the-film His Merry Wife!.

Boston’s familiar from Debbie Macomber’s Joyful Mrs. Miracle and A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe. Brown’s been in Haul Out the Holly and Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.

Supporting roles include Georgina Reilly as Michael’s sister Kate, Holly A. Morris as his mom June, and James Trevena as Elizabeth’s 1915 suitor, James Clark—a character who’s sure to stir things up.

Biltmore’s Real-Life Legacy Becomes Part of the Story

This sequel gets creative with real Vanderbilt history, weaving it right into the story.

Vanderbilt Descendants Join the Production

Chase Pickering, great-great-grandson of George and Edith Vanderbilt and VP of Biltmore guest experience, even makes a cameo. That real connection adds something special to the film’s historical side.

Aubrey Vanderbilt Cecil Baliles, also a great-great-granddaughter and founder of Avermore Jewelry, designed the dazzling pieces worn in the movie. Those jewels? They’re expected to shine almost as much as the romance.

Asheville Becomes a Character of Its Own

Outside the estate, Asheville itself gets to shine. The production filmed in several downtown favorites, like Pack’s Tavern and the Fine Arts Theatre.

Cast Favorites Around Town

When the cameras weren’t rolling, the cast got out to explore Asheville’s food scene. Roden reportedly loved dining at:

• Cúrate
• Biscuit Head
• Mother
• Haywood Common

She also had her eye on Character Study, Easy Tiger, Crow & Quill, and Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill. The city’s warm welcome didn’t go unnoticed either.

Matter pointed out that Roden was often recognized for her Teen Wolf role, which added a fun twist to their stay.

Countdown to Christmas Just Got More Competitive

Hallmark’s annual Countdown to Christmas is already a juggernaut. But A Grand Biltmore Christmas feels like it might just be one of the season’s crown jewels.

Why This Sequel Could Outshine the Original

The first film had a winning formula: time travel, historical glamour, heartfelt romance, and the undeniable sparkle of Biltmore at Christmastime.

The sequel takes all those things and turns the volume up. Bigger locations. Higher emotional stakes. There’s even a legendary actress joining the cast.

It goes deeper into Vanderbilt history, too.

Honestly, there’s just something about a love story that stretches across decades. Add twinkling lights, gilded halls, and the idea that fate might actually bend time? Hard to resist.

If you’re a Hallmark devotee, you’re probably expecting comfort and spectacle. For anyone new, it’s a pretty inviting way to step into a world where holiday magic feels real and history brushes up against romance.

When A Grand Biltmore Christmas premieres later this year, it’s bound to transport everyone back to that place where past and present collide under a canopy of holiday sparkle.