Hallmark Channel has been decking the halls with one fun announcement after another, peppering its 2025 Christmas in July programming with sneak peeks at what fans have to look forward to during the actual holiday season.
On July 12, fans were shocked by a teaser for a surprise third movie in the popular “Three Wise Men” franchise starring Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, and Paul Campbell. Then, on July 13, the network dropped a 30-second preview of its “first-ever holiday rom-com series” starring Mae Whitman and Jane Seymour, thrilling fans.
Fans Can’t Contain Their Excitement Over Mae Whitman & Other Stars in Cast
“Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas,” first announced in March, is a six-episode, limited series starring “Parenthood” alum Mae Whitman, Emmy winner Jane Seymour, and two-time Oscar nominee Mary McDonnell.
Based on the “Twelve Dates of Christmas” novel by Jenny Bayliss, the series was filmed in and around Dublin, Ireland, in the spring of 2025, according to Deadline, even though the storyline takes place near London.
Many Hallmark fans immediately recognized the storyline as they saw the brief trailer for the new series, excitedly taking to social media to celebrate, including one who wrote on Instagram, “One of my most favourite books from my most favourite authors! I cannot wait to watch this!”
Someone else commented, “@hallmarkchannel is this from @jennibayliss book? Can’t wait if so, the book is awesome!!”
Others couldn’t believe the cast, including one who wrote, “OMG … Mae Whitman and Jane Seymour, I don’t even know what to do right now! 😮🤩🥳🎄🎅” while another chimed in, “Screaming for Mae Whitman omg omg omg”
Another fan wrote, “Every Christmas i ask myself ‘how is hallmark going top this next year?!’ I love Mae Whitman! I’m beyond excited for this!”
Someone else thanked Hallmark for its increasingly diverse casting, writing, “Im so proud and so hapoy that hallmark is featuring every type of human on earth. Blonde, brunnette, red headed, 20-50 year olds, lgbtq couples, thin, curvy, tall, short, latin, italian, irish, north american, spanish. ITS ALL SO RELATABLE, and thats why I am now so hooked on the Hallmark channel ❤️❤️❤️”
What is Mae Whitman’s ’12 Dates Til Christmas’ About?
GettyRounding out the cast are “Pretty Little Liars” alum Julian Morris, who co-starred with Megan Park in 2021’s “A Royal Queens Christmas;” British actor Toby Sandeman, who’s in Kate Hudson’s new Netflix series “Running Point;” as well as Nathaniel Parker and Lucy Eaton.
In the series, Whitman plays textile pattern designer Kate who lives in a quaint English village next door to her father Mac, played by Parker. According to Hallmark’s synopsis, he’s “long-divorced from Kate’s mother Delilah,” played by McDonnell, who’s a “globe-trotting American always on an adventure.” When she’s not working, Kate looks after her dad who’s “recovering from a motorbike accident and is inclined to spend his days sitting in his recliner.”
Meanwhile, Kate’s best friend Laura, played by Eaton, signs her up for a holiday matchmaking program that helps singles meet other eligible singles while participating in different holiday activities. Convinced by Laura and fellow bestie Callum, played by Morris, she gets into the holiday spirit and is shocked when she meets a potential love match, played by Sandeman. But when Kate’s mom shows up on her doorstep, holiday plans go awry — including her dad’s surprise connection with local widow Evelyn, played by Seymour.
Hallmark Channel hasn’t announced specific scheduling details for its 2025 Countdown to Christmas programming, but the network typically begins airing original holiday programming in October, which airs right up until Christmas.
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First Look at Mae Whitman’s Hallmark Channel Series Has Fans Swooning