Hallmark has a lot going on when it comes to its original TV shows and movies, and not just because production has restarted on one of its most popular projects (with some new safety precautions). The network has handed down some renewals, announced some 2020 Christmas movies, and revealed when the holidays will start on Hallmark. (Hint: Christmas will come a lot sooner than December.) Here's what to expect from Hallmark, when to expect it, and what you can look forward to!
Good Witch has officially been renewed for Season 7, less than two weeks after the sixth season finale aired on July 5. Catherine Bell continues her long-running stint as Cassie Nightingale. Although the show itself has only been running since 2015, Bell originated the role in a 2008 TV movie called The Good Witch, which was followed by six sequels before the TV show picked up. Her 13-year run as Cassie makes this one of the longest-running performances on television. The former JAG actress has a knack for landing long-running roles!
Elsewhere on Hallmark Channel, When Calls the Heart is returning to production soon, and it's not surprising that Season 8 would be a network priority. Despite the controversy surrounding former star Lori Loughlin in Season 6, the show ranks as the #1 series year-to-date across cable in the women 18+ demographic. Also renewed are Chesapeake Shores for Season 5 and Home & Family for Season 9.
All of these developments for Hallmark TV are well and good, but what about Hallmark's legendary slate of new Christmas movies to go with all the existing Christmas originals that air throughout the year? Well, despite the fact that Christmas is more than five months away at this point, the network has some big news on the holiday front. Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' Miracles of Christmas will officially begin on Friday, October 23.
Fittingly, 23 all-new original films are in the works for Hallmark, with 17 new originals coming to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, tying the 2019 record number of movies at 40. Many of these bring back familiar Hallmark faces, including Candace Cameron Bure, Lacey Chabert, Rachael Leigh Cook, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Alicia Witt, and Andrew Walker. Hallmark is adding some new big names for the new season of TV movies, including Aaron Tveit, Jeremy Jordan, Mallory Jansen, and Ronnie Rowe.
Here are the Christmas movies announced so far for Hallmark and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries:
A Royal HolidayJingle Bell BrideA Christmas Tree Grows in BrooklynIf I Only Had ChristmasDeliver by ChristmasOn the 12th Date of ChristmasChristmas WaltzChristmas in ViennaChristmas in Evergreen 4Chateau ChristmasCross Country ChristmasChristmas CarnivalWhen Calls the Heart Christmas 2020Christmas Tree LaneHolly & IvyThe Christmas BowCranberry ChristmasChristmas Doctor
Between Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' Miracles of Christmas, nearly 85 million unduplicated viewers tune in each year for some great ratings. October 23 isn't that far away, considering Christmas itself doesn't come until December 25! That said, this isn't the earliest in the year that Hallmark has ever kicked off its Christmas movie season. Will Hallmark also include Hanukkah movies among those that haven't been announced yet?
For now, however, diehard Hallmark Christmas fans have to wait for the next pun-tastic batch of holiday movies. To pass the time before the festivities begin, check out our 2020 summer TV premiere schedule!
