Hallmark Announces A Biltmore Christmas Sequel With New Cast

Hallmark’s heading back to one of its most magical locations, and longtime fans have plenty to get excited about. After the runaway success of A Biltmore Christmas, the network’s announced a follow-up movie set again at the iconic Biltmore Estate.

This new film isn’t a direct sequel, but it promises another sweeping romance, time-bending intrigue, and that cozy holiday escapism Hallmark does so well. With a new cast, a new love story, and a familiar dash of Christmas magic, it’s already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Countdown to Christmas premieres of 2026.

The Return to Biltmore: Why This Setting Matters

The Biltmore Estate isn’t just a backdrop—it’s practically a character in its own right. When Hallmark premiered A Biltmore Christmas in 2023, viewers were immediately drawn to the grandeur and romantic atmosphere of America’s largest privately owned home.

The setting gave the film that old-Hollywood-meets-fairytale vibe. It added something special that just stuck with people.

Hallmark execs clearly noticed. By choosing to return to Biltmore, the network is doubling down on what worked: lush visuals, historical romance, and a sense of timeless wonder.

This new project keeps that tradition alive while opening the door to a fresh story that spans generations.

A Different Love Story, Same Magical Energy

This time, the movie explores a romance that bridges the Gilded Age and the modern day. It’s a different setup, but the heart of it—love that defies time and expectations—remains the same.

Meet the New Leading Stars

Taking center stage are Holland Roden and Niall Matter, both familiar faces to Hallmark fans. Their pairing hints at a slightly different tone, blending period drama elegance with a more modern warmth.

Roden, known for Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story and earlier genre work, brings a classic, expressive vibe that fits the historical setting. Matter, a Hallmark staple, balances that energy with his modern charm and grounded performances.

Who They Play and Why It Works

Their characters start as acquaintances in the Gilded Age, unexpectedly reconnecting under extraordinary circumstances. The story stretches across decades, putting their bond at the center of a sweeping narrative about destiny and the cost of following your heart.

• Elizabeth arrives as a young Biltmore guest in 1895—curious, compassionate, a bit ahead of her time.
• Michael shows up as a mysterious teen trespasser, saved by Elizabeth’s quick thinking.
• Twenty years later, their paths cross again in a way neither could have predicted.

A Plot That Leans Hard Into Time Travel

If you loved the magical hourglass in the original film, good news—it’s back as a key plot device. Time travel is once again front and center, but this time the emotional stakes are even higher.

The story kicks off with Elizabeth’s Christmas Eve at Biltmore in 1895, where her chance meeting with Michael sparks an instant connection. But just as quickly as he appears, he vanishes, leaving Elizabeth with questions that linger for decades.

When Past and Present Collide

Fast forward twenty years. Elizabeth’s back at Biltmore, now under pressure to marry a suitor chosen by her aunt.

At a Christmas gala, she meets a stranger who turns out to be Michael—unchanged and very much alive. Their reunion is short-lived when Elizabeth is suddenly transported to the modern world.

Here’s the twist: Michael is actually a present-day tourist who once traveled to the past using the enchanted hourglass hidden in Biltmore’s library. Now Elizabeth has to navigate the 21st century and try to get back to her own time, all while not blowing her cover with Michael’s family.

Love, Choice, and a Woman Ahead of Her Time

At its core, this isn’t just about time travel. It’s about a woman confronting the life chosen for her versus the life she might actually want.

Elizabeth’s journey through modern Christmas celebrations brings both humor and real emotional depth. She gets a taste of freedoms and possibilities she never had in 1915.

As Elizabeth and Michael grow closer in the present, the romance feels natural—rooted in shared history and rediscovered affection. The ticking clock of her return adds some real tension, making every moment count.

The Ultimate Holiday Dilemma

When it’s time for Elizabeth to go back, she’s faced with a heart-wrenching decision. Does she return to her carefully planned life, full of expectations, or risk everything for love in a world that’s not hers?

A Familiar Face Returns

Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha aren’t coming back from the original, but fans will spot a familiar thread between the two films. Jonathan Frakes returns as the Biltmore employee he played before, tying the stories together in a subtle way.

This casting choice hints at Biltmore as a kind of shared universe—a place where magical objects, hidden histories, and unforgettable romances quietly intertwine.

Why Hallmark Is Betting Big on This Film

A Biltmore Christmas quickly became an instant classic. People responded not just to the romance, but to the ambition of the story.

By greenlighting another movie in the same world, Hallmark’s showing real confidence in holiday films that blend nostalgia with something new. The script comes from Marcy Holland, who wrote the original, so expect the same emotional tone and consistency.

Hallmark’s leadership says the goal is to invite viewers back into a world they already love, while giving them new characters to root for. Not a bad plan, honestly.

A Countdown to Christmas Event to Watch

The movie’s set to premiere during Hallmark Channel’s 17th annual Countdown to Christmas in 2026—a coveted spot for the network’s biggest holiday offerings.

Production starts in January 2026, giving the creative team plenty of time to capture the grandeur of Biltmore in both past and present timelines. Can’t help but wonder how they’ll top themselves this time.

The Bigger Picture: A New Hallmark Tradition?

This follow-up raises an intriguing possibility. Could Biltmore become a recurring holiday destination for Hallmark?

It’s happened before with certain fictional towns or beloved franchises. With its rich history and built-in sense of magic, the estate offers endless storytelling potential.

For fans, that means one thing: another reason to curl up with cocoa. Getting swept away by a romance where Christmas miracles feel not only possible, but honestly, kind of inevitable.