Let’s hear it for the girls! The Hallmark Channel has become the one-stop-shop of holiday movies and light-hearted rom-coms over the years — with many fans tuning in to see their favorite leading ladies.
Whether it’s When Calls the Heart’s Erin Krakow or Sweet Autumn lead Nikki DeLoach, the network is full of talented women telling heart-warming stories. Hallmark’s long list of mystery movie franchises are also led by fierce women, including Lacey Chabert in The Crossword Mysteries and Holly Robinson Peete in the Morning Show Mysteries films.
Candace Cameron Bure, who was in 10 holiday movies on the network as of 2021, exclusively told Us Weekly in November 2021 why she loved working with Hallmark Channel ahead of her April 2022 departure.
“I make them because I love them. And I know that the viewers that watch them really love them, and they mean something to them,” the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries star said at the time. “I always try to make it the best that I can, but I let the pressure [of being the queen of Christmas] go last year.”
The former child star noted that her new outlook on filming holiday movies, especially 2021’s The Christmas Contest, has made the work even more rewarding.
“It made making this one that much better because I just enjoyed it,” Cameron Bure continued. “And, you know, I’m trying not to think about all the other markers. Let it be what it is and enjoy it.”
The Fuller House alum is one of many actors who has since moved to Great American Media, which was started by former Hallmark Channel CEO Bill Abbott in 2021. Cameron Bure made the switch in spring 2022 — but many of her former Hallmark costars opted to stay with Hallmark Media.
Chabert, for her part, has stepped up as one of the network’s biggest stars, appearing in three Wedding Veil films in 2022, in addition to Groundswell and Haul Out the Holly.
The Mississippi native previously, for her part, described the whirlwind shooting schedules the Hallmark Channel actors usually undergo with each film, telling Us in October 2021 that they usually last 15 days.
“We did this one very quickly. We had a couple of six-day weeks, and then we did a shorter week,” the Mean Girls actress exclusively explained, referencing the work on her 2021 holiday movie, Christmas at Castle Hart. “It’s a lot to pack into 15 days and it amazes me. It’s a true collaboration when everyone comes together and brings their talents to make that happen. I’m always in awe.”
While the movie only premiered during the 2021 holiday season, Chabert is ready to go back to work and film a sequel. “We need a royal wedding,” she said, adding she would be up for another Christmas Waltz installment as well because she “enjoyed it so much.”
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Scroll down for your guide to the Hallmark Channel’s go-to leading ladies — and click here for a look at the network’s hunky male stars.