Naman Shrestha
In Hallmark’s ‘Christmas Under Wraps,’ we get acquainted with Dr. Lauren Brunell, a third-year surgery resident who aspires to earn a fellowship in Boston and make her father, Henry, proud. However, when she is put on the waitlist for her dream fellowship, she must put her dreams on hold and accept the position of a general practitioner in a small, quaint town called Garland in Alaska. During her stint in Garland, she begins to fall in love with the town and its inhabitants, including a handsome handyman named Andy Holliday.
As Lauren establishes herself as a trusted doctor in Garland and spends time with Andy, she realizes the importance of living in the moment and making the most of the present. The doctor also maintains a friendly relationship with Andy’s father, Frank, who seems to be hiding a secret in his shipping warehouse. While she embarks on a mission to uncover the truth, Lauren is forced to make a tough decision — stay in Garland or relocate to Boston as she previously dreamed. Directed by Peter Sullivan, the romantic comedy drama movie primarily takes place in the fictional town of Garland, a place that changes the protagonist’s perspective on life.
Where Was Christmas Under Wraps Filmed?
‘Christmas Under Wraps’ was filmed in its entirety in Utah, particularly in Salt Lake County, Payson, and Heber City. According to reports, principal photography for the Hallmark film got underway in August 2014 and went on for about three weeks or so before wrapping up in September of the same year.
Salt Lake County, Utah
While Lauren Brunell relocates to Alaska in the film, the filming actually took place in Utah. To paint the visual canvas of ‘Christmas Under Wraps,’ the production team set up camp in Salt Lake County. Several locales in the region hosted the taping of the holiday movie. The eponymous city is one of the locations where a significant portion of the shooting was conducted. The state capital is recognized as a notable filming destination due to its first-rate infrastructure, lucrative incentives offered by the Utah Film Commission, seasoned crew members and local talent, as well as diverse scenery.
From bustling urban cityscapes to charming historic spots and breathtaking views of the mountains and canyons, Salt Lake City has something to suit the requirements of a vast array of settings. Therefore, it turned out to be an ideal stand-in for a remote Alaskan town. For the purpose of filming, the cast and crew of the Hallmark production also moved about 10-15 miles southeast of downtown SLC to Cottonwood Heights. Dubbed City Between the Canyons, the city is enveloped by spectacular views of Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains. Its location naturally allows it to serve as a snowy backdrop with dramatic mountain views that complement the cozy and dreamy vibe of the holiday film.
Payson, Utah
The filming unit of ‘Christmas Under Wraps’ also lensed various pivotal sequences in the city of Payson, situated in Utah County. A part of the Provo–Orem metropolitan area, Payson is home to quite a few cultural landmarks, including the Peteetneet Museum, Payson City Center, and more. Other films that feature the locales of the city are ‘Best. Christmas. Ever!,’ ‘Christmas Tree Lane,’ ‘Switched for Christmas,’ ‘A Crafty Christmas Romance,’ and ‘Divided by Hate.’
Heber City, Utah
For the purpose of shooting, the cast and crew members of the Hallmark production turned the locales of Heber City into film sets. The county seat of Wasatch County, the city is situated just a few miles southeast of Salt Lake City. With the scenic Heber Valley in the backdrop, along with Deer Creek Reservoir, Heber City serves as a picturesque filming destination for all kinds of movies. Apart from ‘Christmas Under Wraps,’ it has hosted the production of films like ‘Mistletoe Mixup,’ ‘Christmas on Duty,’ ‘Dashing in December,’ and ‘Friends & Lovers.’
Christmas Under Wraps Cast Details
Candace Cameron Bure and David O’Donnell bring the heartwarming tale of ‘Christmas Under Wraps’ to life through their impressive performances. Candace’s brother, Kirk Cameron, plays the role of Mike Seaver in ‘Growing Pains,’ giving her the inspiration to make her own mark in the industry. She has also served as an executive producer for ‘Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Yarn Maker,’ ‘Just in Time,’ ‘Timeless Tidings of Joy,’ and ‘If I Only Had Christmas.’ After excelling at sports and academics in high school, David decided to pursue a career in acting. Since then, he has bagged roles in many movies and shows and has served as an executive producer for ‘Christmas Above the Clouds,’ ‘A Cozy Christmas Inn,’ and ‘A Christmas Love Story.’
Candace Cameron Bure as Lauren Brunell
Candace Cameron Bure steps into the character of Lauren Brunell, the aspiring surgeon, in ‘Christmas Under Wraps.’ Widely recognized for her portrayals of Cindy Nelson in ‘Some Kind of Wonderful,’ Stacy Collins in ‘No One Would Tell,’ and DJ Tanner in ‘Full House’ and ‘Fuller House,’ Candace also features in multiple holiday films, including ‘Home Sweet Christmas,’ ‘My Christmas Hero,’ ‘The Christmas Contest,’ and ‘Christmas Town.’
David O’Donnell as Andy Holliday
In the Hallmark production, David O’Donnell portrays Andy Holliday, Lauren’s romantic interest. Over the course of his decades-long acting career, he has showcased his acting prowess and range by taking on different kinds of roles. You might spot him in ‘Thirteen Days’ as Lt. Bruce Willhemy, ‘In Search of Fellini’ as Robert, ‘The Big Time’ as George, and ‘Made Men’ as Nick. His TV credits include ‘Undressed,’ ‘Days of Our Lives,’ ‘Handsome Sportz Klub,’ ‘Stitchers,’ and ‘The Rookie.’
The lead actors are supported by a bunch of other talented actors, who play critical roles in the film, including Robert Pine as Henry Brunell, Brian Doyle-Murray as Frank Holliday, Kendra Mylnechuk as Billie, Joyce Cohen as Maggie Brunell, James Gaisford as Wyatt, Page Petrucka as Hattie, and Anita Rice as Faith Holliday.
Read More: The More the Merrier: Filming Locations and Cast Details
