The Hallmark Channel’s newest movie, “The Finnish Line,” premieres on Sunday December 1, at 6 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Central. The movie stars Kim Matula, Beau Mirchoff and Nichole Sakura. Read on to learn all about where the movie was filmed (including Santa’s Village!) and the cast involved.
‘The Finnish Line’ Was Filmed in Finland & Iceland
“The Finnish Line” was filmed on location in Lapland and Rovaniemi, Finland, according to IMDb, and Iceland.
One of the locations is the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, 4filming.com reported. The resort is famous for its glass igloos. It recently added Kelso-Glass igloos, a newly constructed accommodation that merges a traditional feel with the breathtaking views and cozy amenities. Designed to sleep up to six guests, these unique structures are made from Kelo pinewood and come equipped with features like a private sauna, a fireplace, a kitchenette, and a bedroom with a glass roof for stargazing.
Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is another prominent location in the film, The Futon Critic reported. This park transforms into a winter wonderland when blanketed in snow. This will be the first Hallmark movie filmed at the village, Futon Critic noted. According to the location’s website, you can meet Santa Claus all year round at the village, which is always ready to transport you into a magical Christmas world.
In Iceland, filming locations included the capital Reykjavik and Skíðaskálinn í Hveradölum, 4filming.com reported.
Mirchoff shared photos from filming in Iceland.
Meet the Cast
Hallmark’s synopsis reads: “Inspired by her father’s acclaimed legacy in dog sled racing, Anya decides to follow in his footsteps. After his passing, she heads to Finland to participate in the 40th annual Joulurauha race, her father’s final race where he fell short of the victory. Following an injury to her lead dog during the qualifying race, Anya finds herself partnered with a new canine companion owned by journalist and former racer Cole, who aims to pen a story about her journey. Struggling to build trust with her new dog and facing her father’s rival, Monty, Anya must navigate many challenges as she strives to win the race.”
Kim Matula is Anya. According to her bio, she kicked off her acting career in the 2008 TV movie “Queen Sized.” She then landed the role of Hope Logan on “The Bold and The Beautiful,” where she earned a Daytime Emmy nomination. After leaving the show in 2016, she took on a major role in the hit Lifetime series “UnREAL” (which Brennan Elliott also starred in) and later starred in the Fox comedy “LA to Vegas.”
In 2019, Matula appeared in MGM’s “Fighting with My Family.” Her TV credits also include “True Lies,” “The Resident,” “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” “American Crime Story: Impeachment,” “Leverage: Redemption,” and “Ghosts of Christmas Always.”
She recently celebrated her birthday and posted a funny picture on Instagram, captioned “kicking off the season ♍️ 🎉 ..people will have to eat off that counter later”
Beau Mirchoff plays Cole. According to his bio, his recent roles include Freeform’s “Good Trouble” and Netflix’s “Narcos: Mexico.” Previously, he starred in Starz’s “Now Apocalypse” and played Matty for five seasons on MTV’s “Awkward.”
Born in Seattle and raised on Vancouver Island, Mirchoff started acting at 13. When he’s not acting, he enjoys outdoor adventures—often joined by his Labradoodle, Cali.
Also starring, according to IMDb, are:
- Nichole Sakura
- Arnar Dan Kristjánsson
- Benedikt Gröndal
- Hjörtur Jóhann Jónsson
- Tinna Björt Guðjónsdóttir
- Valerie Ósk Elenudóttir
- Einar Haraldsson
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Where Was ‘The Finnish Line’ Filmed? See Cast Stories & Locations