Hallmark Casting Local Extras for Biltmore Christmas Movie

If you’ve ever wanted to step right into a Hallmark Christmas movie, well, here’s your shot. This winter, Hallmark Media is back in Asheville, North Carolina, and they’re transforming the legendary Biltmore Estate into a sparkling, time-bending holiday romance.

Even better? The production’s opening its doors to locals, inviting them to be paid extras in a film that promises old-world glamour, sweeping romance, and that classic Christmas magic.

The Return of Hallmark Magic to Biltmore

Hallmark’s no stranger to Asheville. The network’s thing for the Biltmore Estate is becoming a bit of a tradition at this point.

After the runaway success of A Biltmore Christmas—which fans absolutely adored—Hallmark’s heading back to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a second original film set right on those historic grounds.

This new movie will shoot from mid-January through early February. Once again, the grandeur of America’s largest private home will be front and center.

Ornate halls, lush conservatories, you name it—the estate’s basically a character in its own right this time around.

Why Hallmark Keeps Coming Back

The Biltmore Estate gives you something a soundstage just can’t: real Gilded Age opulence. Towering ceilings, priceless tapestries, and a sense of history in every corner—it’s the Hallmark vibe, but dialed up.

Executives say viewers fell for the romance and the setting, and honestly, who can blame them? The combo’s irresistible, so coming back to Biltmore just makes sense.

A Story That Travels Through Time

This isn’t just another cozy Christmas flick. Hallmark’s leaning into high-concept storytelling here, mixing classic romance with a bit of time travel.

The film zips viewers back 130 years, to Christmas Eve 1895—the very night the Biltmore House first opened. At the center is Elizabeth, a woman caught between two eras and two potential love interests.

Romance, Choice, and Christmas Fate

There’s a classic Hallmark question at the heart of it: does the heroine stick to the life mapped out for her, or trust her heart and take a leap? With one foot in the past and one in the present, Elizabeth’s journey echoes the estate’s own grandeur and weight.

Lush costumes, candlelit ballrooms, romantic tension, and twinkling Christmas décor—yeah, it’s tailor-made for the holidays.

The Biltmore Estate Takes Center Stage

This film doesn’t just use the Biltmore as a backdrop; it shows off some of the estate’s most jaw-dropping spaces. Expect sweeping shots and intimate scenes in the mansion’s most celebrated rooms.

• The Conservatory, dressed in seasonal greenery
• The Winter Garden, full of natural light
• The Tapestry Gallery, dripping with Old World elegance
• The Banquet Hall, ready for lavish holiday parties
• The Billiard Room and Library, both loaded with historic charm

Filming goes beyond the estate gates, too. Downtown Asheville spots like the Fine Arts Theatre and Pack’s Tavern will get their own cameos.

Hallmark Is Casting Local Extras — And Paying Them

Here’s where it gets interesting for Asheville folks: Hallmark’s Extras Casting Department is looking for people from the area to appear in the movie. No acting chops needed—just be available, flexible, and willing to step into a Gilded Age scene.

Extras will fill out the world as party guests, townsfolk, and background characters, making the historic setting feel alive.

Who Can Apply

The casting call’s pretty open. Hallmark wants extras of almost every age, so families or even several generations can get in on it.

• Anyone from 7 years old up to folks in their 70s
• All backgrounds and appearances welcome
• Must be available between January 12 and February 2

Since filming schedules can change on a dime, applicants should be flexible and ready for some long days.

Pay, Hours, and What to Expect on Set

Unlike a lot of background gigs, this one spells out the pay up front. Extras get a flat daily rate, with more if filming goes long.

• $120 for 8 hours
• Overtime after 8 hours
• Days can stretch up to 12 hours

Long days are the norm in film, but for many, the chance to see a Hallmark movie come together—especially in a place like Biltmore—is worth it.

How to Apply for a Spot in the Movie

The application process is simple, but you’ve got to get the details right. Hallmark’s casting team needs specific info to match extras to costumes and scenes.

Send an email with the subject line Hallmark and include:

• A recent photo
• Your full name and age
• Phone number
• Height and weight
• All clothing sizes, including shoe size

Emails go straight to casting coordinator Marty Cherrix. Extras will be booked throughout January and into early February, so patience helps.

Why This Opportunity Is Bigger Than It Looks

For Hallmark fans, it’s more than just being in the background. It’s a chance to be part of a movie that’ll air during the network’s big Countdown to Christmas event in 2026—Hallmark’s 17th annual holiday blowout.

And for Asheville, it’s another shot in the national spotlight, showing off the city’s growing reputation as a holiday destination on screen.

A Hallmark Tradition in the Making

With two films now set at the Biltmore Estate, Hallmark clearly sees something special here.
The blend of history, romance, and Christmas nostalgia is just plain hard to resist — for viewers and the network alike.

This winter, a lucky handful of locals might find themselves wandering straight out of daily life and into a sparkling Hallmark Christmas, one magical scene at a time.