The Hallmark Channel’s newest movie, “Polar Opposites,” premieres on Saturday, January 11, at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. The movie stars Rhiannon Fish and Markian Tarasiuk. Read on to learn all about where the movie was filmed and see some behind-the-scenes cast stories.
‘Polar Opposites’ Was Filmed in Argentina
According to IMDb, “Polar Opposites” was filmed on location in Patagonia and Ushuaia, Argentina. Ushuaia is popularly known as the “End of the World” (even the city’s sign reads “fin del mundo”) and serves as a gateway city to Antarctica. According to IMDb, Ushuaia substituted for Antarctica in the film. Both cities serves as a picturesque backdrop for Emma’s journey.
Actor Dean McDermott, who plays Ian in the movie, took to Instagram to post a few updates while filming.
On his birthday he wrote: “So blessed to be spending my Birthday in Ushuaia, Argentina!! I’m only a stones throw away from Antarctica. Celebrating with old friends, new friends, and my beautiful girlfriend. I owe all of this to Recovery and being clean and sober. Life is Wonderful. ❤️”
Director Colin Theys also took to Instagram to post a lot of pictures of these faraway locations.
Maeve Quinlan posted a reel on Instagram about her experience “of a lifetime.”
She wrote: “Beyond grateful & blessed for this job and this experience of a lifetime 🏔️❄️☃️🎥🎬📺🐧! Thank you @hollyware_production , @mr_hollyware , @colintheys and @elviamega for casting me. I never want shooting with you guys to ever end. 🤍🤗”
She also posted a lot of behind the scenes pictures with the crew.
“Shooting a heartwarming movie in Patagonia with these amazingly talented people was everything you could possibly imagine it to be … and then some! 🎥🎬🏔️❄️⛷️☃️🥶🧤🐧🌨️” she wrote.
Then she continued, writing: “Thank you SO MUCH to our fearless leader and heart & soul @mr_hollyware , @hollyware_production & @elviamega , @johnnysixstrings and our uber-incredible director @colintheys for another amazing shoot and jaw-dropping movie-making experience with you all and your OUTSTANDING crew 👏 . And of course, thank you from the bottom of my heart to this incredible cast who I am now blessed to call my friends, @imdeanmcdermott and @lillianlenore , @raissa.xavierr , @marktaras , @michelhersch and @rhiannonmfish . Til next time soon, I pray 🙋♀️🤗🎥🤍”
The Hollyware Production account on Instagram posted: “Happy New 2025 family & friends! 🎉 We wish you the best! And here are some memories from the year, casting the Penguins for “Polar Opposites” 🐧♥️”
In another cute behind-the-scenes post, they wrote: “Another day at the office…🤙🏽 Happy belated Thanksgiving family, cheers! 🧡🦃”
McDermott also posted a picture with a penguin, courtesy of Hallmark.
Meet the Cast
Hallmark’s synopsis reads: “Emma needs to get to Antarctica to reach her father and travels to South America but can’t get on a boat for the last leg. She sneaks onto a cruise ship and meets engineer Andy.”
Rhiannon Fish portrays Emma, according to her bio. She got her start playing Lisa Jeffries on the soap opera “Neighbours” and later starred as Rocky on Disney Channel’s “As the Bell Rings.” You might also recognize her as Laura from “Playing for Charlie.” From 2010 to 2013, she was a favorite for many as April Scott in “Home and Away.” Fish also danced her heart out in season 13 of “Dancing with the Stars!” In 2016 she took a darker turn as Ontari in “The 100.”
She discovered her love for acting at just 11 years old and never looked back! Now she’s headlining a number of Hallmark films every year.
Markian Tarasiuk portrays Andy. According to his bio, he started taking acting classes when he was six and starred in his first play when he was 14 in Winnipeg. He’s appeared in numerous productions in Canada, such as “There’s Someone Inside Your House” and “Christmas Jars,” earning him a nomination for a UBCP/ACTRA Best Supporting Actor as well as a nomination for Best Actor from the Canadian Screen Awards. Beyond acting, he was the General Manager and Artistic Producer of Vancouver’s SpeakEasy Theatre from 2015-2021, receiving five Jessie Award nominations for the production of “The Shipment.”
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Where Was ‘Polar Opposites’ Filmed? See Cast Stories & Locations