Hallmark is well-known for making family-friendly movies. The channel and its affiliates are a hot spot for sweet-as cocoa romances, with an always happy-ever-after. Behind the scenes, drama is more real. A number of Hallmark actors have joined GAC Family.As the rival network expands its market share, it will be a loss for Hallmark. Hallmark may feel like it has suffered a lot from stars like Candace Cameron Bure or Danica McKellar, but the channel’s top-ranking executives don’t seem to be worried.
In fact, when Hallmark’s executive vice president of programming Lisa Hamilton Daly spoke at the Television Critics Association press conference on August 10, she appeared to take a subtle dig at those who left. She said that Hallmark is always looking to recruit new actors for its family. Yahoo!):
We’ve kept a lot of our talent under options, save for Christmas movies. We’re looking for new talent all the time. I think there’s a lot of talent out there that we’ve worked with in the past that GAC is now working with, but I think that we also are constantly trying to evolve the talent pool that we’re working with. We have, I think, retained almost everybody that we’re really excited to have. So that’s where we are.
Lisa Hamilton Daly acknowledged there was talent working with GAC Family. However, she stated that Hallmark has kept the actors it wants to collaborate with in the long-term. Now, she did say “almost everybody,” so it’s possible there are a handful of entertainers she and other execs really were sad to see go. However, Hallmark’s message is pretty clear: onward and upward, and thanks for the memories.
Candace Cameron Bure has signed an exclusive deal for GAC FamilyFollowing are the April events Jen Lilley and Danica Patrick’s exits from Hallmark. Patrick was the first person to jump ship in October 2021. Patrick’s move to the rival network would trigger othersHallmark was able to retain many stars, as it did for Jessica Lowndes (Trevor Donovan)
Mean Girls actress Hallmark has signed an exclusive agreement to Lacey ChabertIn February, to executive produce and star in TV movies. After being cast in the role of star on Star Trek, Jonathan Bennett signed his exclusive deal in April. Hallmark’s first Christmas film with a major LGBTQ+ storyline, The Christmas House2020. Holly Robinson Peete and Andrew Walker are familiar faces to anyone who’s flipped past the channel around Christmas time, and they’re joined by even more talented names including Aimeé Teegarden of Friday Night LightsTaylor Cole is famous Brennan Elliott, who signed his contract in March. You don’t have to look back if you consider the Hallmark scripted series increase.
It can’t be said how much bad blood there actually is between Hallmark and the actors who left for its rival, but it can’t be argued that both channels are carrying some heavy-hitters, and in that case, maybe it’s all the movie-lovers who are the real winners? If you’re like me and can’t wait for Christmas, check out these upcoming Hallmark movies.