Naman Shrestha
With Peter Benson at the helm, Hallmark’s ‘Christmas Above the Clouds’ is a romantic and comedic reimagining of the 2009 film ‘A Christmas Carol.’ The narrative introduces us to a workaholic woman named Ella Neezer, who prefers not to celebrate the holidays. In an attempt to skip the festival altogether, she decides to take a flight to Australia. However, her solo flight is far from what she expected as she is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future.
While she is given a reality check by the three spirits, she must reflect on the choices she has made in her life. Amidst all this, she is also unexpectedly reunited with her ex-fiance, Jake Phelps. Besides believing in the magic of Christmas again, Ella is also hopeful about regaining the love she thought she had lost. Although the story mostly unfolds during the flight, Ella embarks on a journey of her own with the help of the three spirits, who allow her to revisit past scenarios and contemplate the future.
Where Was Christmas Above the Clouds Filmed?
‘Christmas Above the Clouds’ was reportedly filmed in British Columbia, particularly in Vancouver. According to reports, principal photography for the Hallmark production got underway on June 9, 2025, and went on for more than two weeks before wrapping up in the same month. As the premiere date approached, Erin Krakow praised the director’s efforts in bringing the wholesome tale to life. She stated, “The great @peterbenson889 (whose work you may recall from #BlindDateBookClub) led this shoot with vision, care, and an excellent sense of humor! This project was ambitious but Peter piloted the flight and managed to avoid any turbulence.”
Vancouver, British Columbia
‘Christmas Above the Clouds’ was filmed extensively in the port city of Vancouver in the westernmost province of British Columbia. The story of CEO Ella Neezer navigating the strange intersection of her past, present, and future, unfolds against the stunning backdrop of Vancouver’s landscapes. In particular, the taping of the sequences that are set in the cabin of the flight flying above the clouds was conducted on a set built by the production team. To maintain authenticity, the crew transformed a space into the interiors of an international airplane, where Ella spends a significant amount of time in the movie. The airplane set made the process of shooting easy as it offered the team more control over the mid-air environment they aimed to create.
Several spots of the beautiful city make an appearance in the Christmas-themed Hallmark project. The decision to choose Vancity as a filming destination wasn’t a difficult one for the team. After all, several promising factors have earned it the colloquial nickname of Hollywood of the North (which it shares with Toronto). First-rate production facilities, lucrative tax returns, a favorable climate, seasoned technicians, easy access to local talent, and diverse landscapes that can double as numerous international locations are just a few elements that make it a prominent shooting spot around the world. Thus, choosing Vancouver as the location for creating the visual canvas of ‘Christmas Above the Clouds’ worked in favor of the team, as it proved to be an ideal backdrop for depicting the magical adventures of Ella Neezer.
Christmas Above the Clouds Cast Details
The undeniable chemistry between Erin Krakow and Tyler Hynes brought the romantic tale of ‘Christmas Above the Clouds’ to life gracefully. Before working on the project, the two actors had previously worked on the 2021 film ‘It Was Always You,’ which turned them into one of the fan-favorite onscreen couples. Despite having collaborated in the past, Tyler claimed that filming another movie with Erin felt totally different than the first one, as the set was entirely different and there had been changes in his and her lives.
Erin Krakow as Ella Neezer
In ‘Christmas Above the Clouds,’ Erin Krakow steps into the role of Ella Neezer, the workaholic woman whose life turns upside down on board a flight to Australia. Widely recognized for her portrayals of Elizabeth Thornton in ‘When Calls the Heart’ and Specialist Tanya Gabriel in ‘Army Wives,’ the talented actor also stars in several movies, like ‘Santa Tell Me,’ ‘The Wedding Cottage,’ ‘A Summer Romance,’ ‘Engaging Father Christmas,’ and ‘Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen.’
Tyler Hynes as Jake Phelps
Tyler Hynes essays the character of Jake Phelps, Ella’s ex-fiance, in the Hallmark drama. Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, the actor has showcased her acting talents in various TV shows, such as ‘Letterkenny,’ ‘UnREAL,’ ’19-2,’ ‘Saving Hope,’ ‘Warehouse 13,’ and ‘Valemont.’ You might recognize him for his role as Derrick Taylor in ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,’ Jackson in ‘The Groomsmen Last Dance,’ and Taylor in ‘Three Wiser Men and a Boy.’ His other film credits include the likes of ‘Shifting Gears,’ ‘A Picture of Her,’ ‘Always Amore,’ and ‘Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas.’
Apart from the lead actors, ‘Christmas Above the Clouds’ also features other talented actors in supporting roles, including Matthew Clarke as the Pilot, the director Peter Benson as Charlie, Ben Fenton as Oliver, Erik Gow as Pip, Jaleese Green as Nancy, Charlotte Ray as Young Frances, and Daniel Shevchuk as Tim.
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