Hallmark Channel Marks 25 Years With Star-Studded NYC Celebration

Hallmark Channel just celebrated its 25th anniversary in style at New York City’s 92NY. The event brought together favorite actors, producers, and a crowd of devoted fans for a night full of memories and sneak peeks.

There were surprise casting announcements, familiar faces from fan-favorite franchises, and a lot of talk about family and representation. You could feel the connection between Hallmark stars and viewers—this network is definitely looking forward, not just reminiscing.

A Hallmark Family Reunion With Major Reveals

PEOPLE’s Breanne Heldman hosted the evening, which felt more like a family reunion than your average promo event. Three panels featured a who’s-who of Hallmark regulars, all swapping stories from sets and giving fans a taste of what’s coming up for Countdown to Christmas and beyond.

The first panel included Alison Sweeney, Ashley Williams, Niall Matter, Autumn Reeser, Wes Brown, Holly Robinson Peete, Rachel Boston, and Victor Webster. The conversation circled around a familiar theme—Hallmark has become a kind of professional home, built on friendship and creative partnerships that just keep going.

Rachel Boston and Wes Brown Are Heading Back to Biltmore

One big announcement: Rachel Boston and Wes Brown are returning for A Grand Biltmore Christmas. Niall Matter, also involved, clarified that this isn’t a typical sequel.

This time, the story jumps back to the Gilded Age, right as the Biltmore House opens its doors. It’s a fresh historical romance, not a continuation, and the Biltmore setting is front and center.

If you love ornate period details with a dash of holiday magic, this one’s probably going to be high on your list.

New Pairings, Familiar Faces, and a Make Her Mark Milestone

Ashley Williams had her own news to share. Her next romantic comedy, Much About Love, stars Niall Matter and her husband Neil Dodson, and it’s a modern take on Much Ado About Nothing.

The movie premieres August 29 on Hallmark Channel and lands on Hallmark+ the next day. Williams and Alison Sweeney also announced they’re teaming up for a new Countdown to Christmas film.

Fans remember their last collaboration in the Barcelona-set movies, so this reunion is already getting attention. Crystal Lowe will direct—the first director chosen through Williams’ Make Her Mark initiative, which supports new female directors. Sarah Wilson Thacker will also be mentored during production.

Autumn Reeser gave a sweet behind-the-scenes look at her upcoming film Christmas Delivered with Wes Brown. Her kids hung out on set, playing in fake snow and tossing snowballs—one of those little moments that probably keeps actors coming back to Hallmark.

Stories of Kindness Took Center Stage

The night wasn’t just about new movies. Stars shared stories that showed off Hallmark’s supportive, close-knit culture—maybe the most touching part of the event.

Rachel Boston remembered filming with Victor Webster when her daughter was still a baby. Webster made sure Boston had a room to spend time with her daughter, a kindness that Boston said summed up her Hallmark experience.

Holly Robinson Peete Celebrates Inclusion

Holly Robinson Peete spoke from the heart about joining a network that instantly felt like family. She talked about her advocacy as an autism parent and her work with the HollyRod Foundation.

Getting to make a Christmas movie about an autistic family meant a lot to her, and it gave Hallmark a chance to spotlight stories that don’t always get seen.

Alison Sweeney got emotional recalling making a movie with her daughter and preparing for her to leave for college. It was a reminder that, behind all the glitz, real life is always happening around these productions.

The Second Panel Delivered Tour Tales and Holiday Teases

Andrew Walker, Nikki DeLoach, BJ Britt, Heather Hemmens, Kimberley Sustad, Erin Cahill, and Tyler Hynes brought a lighter vibe to the second panel. They swapped stories from the Hallmark Stars Live Tour—traveling together, meeting fans, and hearing how these movies have touched people’s lives.

Walker, DeLoach, and Sustad talked about how Hallmark fans create a safe, welcoming space. The tour stories were full of laughs, but you could tell the bond between stars and fans is a big reason Hallmark keeps thriving.

Tyler Hynes Has a Time-Loop Christmas Movie and an Ornament

Tyler Hynes teased The Nights Before Christmas, a holiday movie with a repeating-day twist, kind of like Groundhog Day. It’s a new spin on the usual holiday formula, and Hynes is sure to bring his usual dry humor and charm.

He also talked about the upcoming Hallmark Christmas ornament that looks just like him, joking about the surreal feeling of seeing his own face on so many ornaments. Andrew Walker kept the laughs going, teasing that Hynes had kissed and boxed every ornament himself.

There was a running joke about BJ Britt being the best hugger, and he even gave a fan a hug during the event. Heather Hemmens shared she was getting married that weekend—pretty exciting!

Hallmark Honors Its Past While Pushing Into New Territory

The final panel brought together Andie MacDowell, Benjamin Ayers, Barbara Niven, Lacey Chabert, Scott Michael Foster, Jonathan Bennett, and Marilu Henner. It was a mix of Hallmark veterans and newer faces leading the network into more serialized and inclusive stories.

Barbara Niven shared that she got her SAG card in 1986 thanks to a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, way before Hallmark Channel existed. Marilu Henner reminisced about playing the same character 21 times in the Aurora Teagarden movies, while Lacey Chabert looked back on her Hallmark start with 2010’s Elevator Girl.

New Series, Hope Valley News, and a Historic Hallmark Moment

Chabert and Scott Michael Foster talked about Paris Is Always a Good Idea, streaming now on Hallmark+. Chabert said she loved living with a character over six episodes instead of just one movie, especially in a story about grief and moving forward.

Filming overseas for three months was tough, but both stars found it rewarding. Andie MacDowell recalled starring in Hallmark’s first series, Cedar Cove, and praised the network for taking risks with shows like The Way Home.

Production has started on season 14 of When Calls the Heart. Hope Valley 1874 will be a Hallmark+ direct-to-streaming series, with season two filming in January.

Jonathan Bennett shared a powerful story about wanting to tell love stories that reflected his own life, which led to The Christmas House. The movie made history as Hallmark’s first same-sex leading love story in a Christmas film.

Bennett said the peacoat he wore in the movie is headed to the Smithsonian’s LGBTQ+ archive—a reminder that even a holiday movie can make a real cultural impact.

A Packed Holiday Future for Hallmark Fans

The anniversary night wrapped up with sneak peeks of what’s coming next. Titles included Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, A Grand Biltmore Christmas, The Nights Before Christmas, and Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story.

Folks in attendance also got glimpses of When Calls the Heart, Hope Valley 1874, and Paris Is Always a Good Idea. Honestly, that’s a lot to look forward to.

Even after 25 years, Hallmark Channel hasn’t lost its touch for cozy viewing. It’s still all about romance, optimism, and those familiar faces you can’t help but root for.

But this latest celebration hinted at something more. There’s a push toward historical backdrops, serialized dramas, and even bigger holiday events.

They’re also adding inclusive romances and mentorship programs. Feels like the network’s ready to stretch its wings a bit.