The Hallmark Channel’s newest Countdown to Christmas movie, “Following Yonder Star,” premieres on Sunday December 15, at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. The DaySpring movie stars Brooke D’Orsay and John Brotherton. Read on to learn all about where the movie was filmed and see some behind-the-scenes moments.
‘Following Yonder Star’ Was Filmed in Winnipeg, Canada
Even though the storyline for the movie takes place in Vermont, “Following Yonder Star” was filmed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Tourism Winnipeg reported.
They noted that some filming locations included:
- Prota Clinic as the Vermont 5-star resort
- Hawthorne Estates in East Selkir as the ballroom and for some bed and breakfast scenes
- Ranch for Wayward Girls as the ballroom exterior
- Broadway First Baptist Church as the film’s local church for both exterior and interior shots
- Pineridge Hollow in the movie features many locations, including Main Street, the community centre, a festive store
- Hildegard’s Bakery as itself, for both exterior and interior shots
- KB Clydesdales helped provide the horse stars for the movie
Filming started October 1, 2024, and ended on October 25, Casting Workbook reported.
The Clydesdales you see in the film are from KB Clydesdales, they shared on TikTok.
“Our team got to participate in the production!” they shared on Instagram.
One Pineridge resident shared a video of how the city looked decked out for the movie in October.
As for Hawthorne Estates, which also has a role in the film, it normally serves as a wedding venue in Canada, MBNews101 reported. But it was turned into a ballroom for the film. Robert and Tammy Belanger own the Estates, and Robert shared that they also used his home for a scene too.
Young actress Isla Verot posted a selfie on Instagram while filming, commenting: “Staying warm on those late night shoots! ❄️ #hallmark.”
A behind-the-scenes article for DaySpring noted that the director said his goal for the movie was to “infuse heart and humor.”
Meet the Cast of ‘Following Yonder Star’
Hallmark’s synopsis reads:
Abby Marshall, once celebrated for her role as an inspirational mother on TV, is finding her real life in shambles after dealing with a scandal. She retreats to a luxury Vermont resort for Christmas only to find herself without a room due to a booking mishap. All the local hotels are booked up due to a rare astronomical event – a beautiful star said to mirror the Star of Bethlehem will appear on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, Abby finds a room at a quaint B&B, owned by Tom Maguire, who is also a high school astronomy teacher. Since his wife’s passing, Tom has taken on a lot of extra responsibilities, including running the inn and directing the local church’s Christmas pageant. Empathizing with Tom, Abby offers to help with the pageant and various activities around the inn and finds herself enjoying both the projects and Tom’s company. Through newfound community, family and love, Abby discovers that hope sometimes comes in the most unexpected ways.
Brooke D’Orsay plays Abby. According to her bio, she’s known for voicing Caitlin Cooke in the Teletoon animated series “6teen” and portraying Brooke Mayo in the 2005 film “King’s Ransom.” She appeared on “The Big Bang Theory” as Christy and on “How I Met Your Mother” as Margaret. D’Orsay also portrayed the “Nestea Girl” in the long-running commercial for Nestea’s “Nestea Plunge” campaign.
She’s been in numerous Hallmark movies, including “Crimes of Fashion,” “A Not So Royal Christmas,” “A Fabled Holiday,” “Wedding of a Lifetime,” “A Dickens of a Holiday,” and more.
John Brotherton is Tom. According to his bio, he’s well known for portraying Matt Harmon, DJ’s love interest, on “Fuller House.” His other credits include “The Conjuring,” “Furious 7,” Jared Banks on “One Life to Live,” and more. On Hallmark, some of his credits include “Christmas on Cherry Lane,” “Lights, Camera, Christmas!” with Kimberley Sustad and “The Christmas Contest” with Candace Cameron Bure.
Check out our exclusive interview with the “Lights, Camera, Christmas!” screenwriter.
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Where Was ‘Following Yonder Star’ Filmed? See Cast Stories & Locations