Upamanyu Biswas
Inspired by the song ‘We Need A Little Christmas’ penned by Jerry Herman, ‘Haul Out the Holly’ is a sweet Christmas romance told through the eyes of Emily Melrose. Emily is a single woman whose recent breakup with Dan has forced her to take a trip back to her parents. After returning home, Emily discovers that her parents are heading off to Florida, leaving her to deal with the bulk of the Homeowners Association Christmas Code. Subsequently, she crosses paths with Jared Farnsworth, the HOA’s new president and her childhood friend, who urges her to engage in the Christmas festivities. Under his guidance, Emily begins to realize what she has been missing in her life as the stage is set for a budding romance. With Maclain Nelson helming, the Hallmark movie brings to life an authentic hometown setting colored by holiday magic, romance, and a feel-good factor.
Where Was Haul Out the Holly Filmed?
‘Haul Out the Holly’ was primarily filmed in the state of Utah, specifically in Cottonwood Heights. Principal photography for the project began on July 24, 2022, and was wrapped up on September 11. Utah is situated in the country’s western region and is known for its diverse geography, boasting an array of parks, deserts, and canyons. It is also an area that promotes innovation and progress, which are particularly exemplified by the state’s impressive IT and healthcare industry. Visitors can enjoy a myriad of outdoor activities in Utah’s splendid backyard, which promotes hiking, biking, skiing, and birdwatching. Its blend between rural, countryside environments and high-rise cityscapes presents a unique environment that is abundantly visible throughout the Hallmark production.
Cottonwood Heights, Utah
Filming for ‘Haul Out the Holly’ took place in the city of Cottonwood Heights, Utah. The crew recorded some key scenes in the South Mystic Hills Cove neighborhood, a small suburban locale with a handful of residents. It doubles up as the Evergreen Lane circle, where Emily’s parents, Albert and Gail Melrose, live together. The city is named for its signature Cottonwood trees, which can reportedly grow to almost 100 feet tall and 50 feet wide. Some of its landmark attractions include Golden Hills Park, The Hog Wallow Pub, Old Mill Park, and Cottonwood Heights City Hall. Although primarily a tranquil neighborhood, the city seamlessly blends in with the quaint and charming tone of the Evergreen Lane residency, where Emily slowly begins to reinvent herself.
Haul Out the Holly Cast Details
‘Haul Out the Holly’ is brought to life by the wonderful performances of Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky, Melissa Peterman, and Ellen Travolta, who lead the film alongside a number of supporting roles. Chabert is a seasoned actress with countless Hallmark credits under her belt. She is also the voice of numerous animated and video game characters. Her screen partner, Brown, is also a Hallmark regular and a charming presence in all his roles. Tobolowsky is a veteran performer whose career stretches back to the 1980s. He is joined by Peterman, a familiar face for fans of sitcoms and drama shows from the past few decades.
Lacey Chabert as Emily Melrose
Lacey Chabert stars as Emily Melrose, a recently single woman who returns to her parent’s home in Salt Lake City. Chabert is best known for starring in the lead roles of Gretchen Wieners in ‘Mean Girls’ and Meg Cummings in ‘Dirty Deeds.’ She also made an impression through her roles as Amanda Becker in ‘Not Another Teen Movie,’ Penny Robinson in ‘Lost in Space,’ and Dana Mathis in ‘Black Christmas.’ The actress’ other credits include ‘The Christmas Waltz,’ ‘The Color of Rain,’ ‘Christmas in Rome,’ and ‘Love, Romance, & Chocolate.‘
Wes Brown as Jared Farnsworth
Starring opposite Chabert is Wes Brown as Jared Farnsworth, the president of the HOA. He is most noted for playing Chris Griffen in ‘We Are Marshall,’ Luke McDonald in ‘True Blood,’ Pat Riley in ‘Glory Road,’ and Joe Belser in ‘Criminal Minds.’ He can also be seen in Hallmark’s ‘Check Inn to Christmas,’ ‘Desperate Housewives,’ ‘Twin Peaks,’ and ‘My Southern Family Christmas.’
Stephen Tobolowsky as Ned
Stephen Tobolowsky plays Ned. His lengthy list of prominent roles includes Ned Ryerson in ‘Groundhog Day,’ Sammy Jankis in ‘Memento,’ Commissioner Hugo Jarry in ‘Deadwood,’ Bob Bishop in ‘Heroes,’ Sandy Ryerson in ‘Glee,’ Stu Beggs in ‘Californication,’ Jack Barker in ‘Silicon Valley,’ Dr. Leslie Berkowitz in ‘One Day at a Time,’ Principal Earl Ball in ‘The Goldbergs,’ and Dr. Schulman in ‘The Mindy Project.’ The actor also appears in ‘Single White Female,’ ‘Thelma & Louise,’ ‘Wild Hogs,’ ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ and ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’ He has also lent his voice to animated shows like ‘Justice League Action,’ ‘Archer,’ and ‘ThunderCats Roar.’
Melissa Peterman as Pamela
Melissa Peterman stars as Pamela. She gained notoriety for her part as Barbra Jean in ‘Reba,’ Bonnie Wheeler in ABC’s ‘Baby Daddy,’ Brenda Sparks in ‘Young Sheldon,’ and Gabby in ‘Happy’s Place.’ She is also the host of ‘Family’s Dancing Fools,’ ‘Bet on Your Baby,’ ‘The Singing Bee,’ and ‘Person, Place or Thing.’ The actress also appears in Reba McEntire’s ‘The Hammer,’ ‘Last Man Standing,’ ‘Surviving Suburbia,’ and ‘Working Class.’
Ellen Travolta as Mary Louise
Ellen Travolta takes on the role of Mary Louise. The veteran actress is known for playing Louisa Arcola Delvecchio in ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Joanie Loves Chachi,’ Gloria Cerullo in ‘General Hospital,’ Lillian in ‘Charles in Charge,’ and Ida in ‘Lonely Hearts.’ She is also present in ‘The Untold Story,’ ‘Falling Up,’ ‘Grease,’ and ‘Going Home.’
Other cast members include Peter Jacobson as Albert, Carrie Morgan as Gail, Eliza Hayes Maher as Jessica, Walter Platz as Bob, Laura Wardle as Belinda, Jake Stormoen as Dan, and Lila Clark as Nicole. The Hallmark movie also features Charlotte Witt as Helen, Abby Villasmil as Young Emily, Manning Hazen as Young Jared, Kristoffer Polaha as Kevin, and Eric Mabius as Alan.
Read More: The Perfect Setting Review and Plot Summary
