Naman Shrestha
With Amy Force at the helm, Hallmark’s ‘Melt My Heart This Christmas’ is a romantic drama movie that centers on a talented glassblower named Holly James, who wishes to make a name for herself and showcase her artistic identity at the Fern Grove Fair. However, she has faced multiple rejections from Jack DuBois, who is in charge of overseeing the entries to the famed Christmas market. In an unexpected turn of events, this time she lands an opportunity to help her artistic idol, Bianca Bonhomme, a renowned glassblower, manage her booth as she is going through a creative block.
Making the most of her entry to the market, Holly takes a chance and puts her creations on display under a pseudonym. Surprisingly, her art overshadows Bianca’s work. Meanwhile, Holly tries her best to help her idol without revealing her identity. At the same time, she forms a romantic bond with Jack, the event manager. When her secret is revealed by a news reporter named Walter, she must try her best to patch things up with Bianca and Jack. Most of the drama unfolds at the bustling Fern Grove Fair, which symbolizes the state of Holly’s life and relationship.
Where Was Melt My Heart This Christmas Filmed?
The shooting for ‘Melt My Heart This Christmas’ was reportedly conducted in Ontario, specifically in and around Ottawa. Principal photography for the Hallmark production commenced on February 10, 2025, and continued for more than two weeks before concluding at the end of the same month. As the day of the film’s premiere approached, Laura Vandervoort opened up about a couple of fun facts about the shooting process. She stated, “Fun fact…somehow I was wearing pumps/heels in that weather/snow and my toes got so cold I couldn’t feel them anymore. 🫣 But it was worth it because this film is adorable and was such a fun shoot. Another fun fact… the day I landed I took a crash course in glass blowing with our director @amyforce_ since my character was a glass blower!! The best cast & crew!”
Ottawa, Ontario
For the purpose of filming ‘Melt My Heart This Christmas,’ the production team settled on the capital city of Ottawa in Ontario. The cast and crew traversed through many locations across the city to paint the visual canvas of the lighthearted Christmas-themed movie. In particular, the iconic Arts Court, located at 2 Daly Avenue in the heart of the downtown area, doubled as a shooting site for multiple scenes. Standing at the intersection of Daly Avenue and Nicholas Street, the heritage site serves as a historic hub of art and culture in Ottawa. The team specifically lensed the sequences that required a controlled interior environment in the indoor production space provided by the multi-use complex.
In addition to the arts hub, the Hallmark movie was also shot at Lansdowne Park at 1015 Bank Street in the Glebe neighbourhood in the central part of the city. Adjacent to the Rideau Canal, the 40-acre metropolitan park is a contemporary entertainment venue for a wide range of events and recreational activities, including exhibitions, professional sports, concerts, skating, farmers’ markets, and dining festivals. It is home to several renowned spots like TD Place Stadium, the Arena complex, and the Aberdeen Pavilion. One such spot, known as the Horticulture Building, was selected as a location for shooting a few scenes of ‘Melt My Heart This Christmas.’
Melt My Heart This Christmas Cast Details
Laura Vandervoort, Stephen Huszar, and Jennifer Wigmore help bring the story of ‘Melt My Heart This Christmas’ to life. Besides having decades of experience as an actor, Laura has also served as a director of a short film called ‘My Soul to Take’ and an associate/executive producer of ‘Black Bags,’ ‘Rabid,’ ‘Unspeakable,’ and ‘Age of Dysphoria.’ The University of Saskatchewan graduate, Stephen, has also served as a producer/executive producer for ‘Unsinkable,’ ‘The Jane Mysteries: Too Much to Lose,’ ‘Milton’s Secret,’ and ‘Landing: Stories from the Cultural Divide.’ As for Jennifer, she is a multidisciplinary artist with talents in both writing and visual arts.
Laura Vandervoort as Holly James
Laura Vandervoort portrays Holly James, the talented glassblower, in the Hallmark production. Widely recognized for her roles of Kara in ‘Smallville,’ Daisy in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’ Elena Michaels in ‘Bitten,’ and Lisa in ‘V,’ Laura is also known for her portrayal of Victoria in ‘Kill Victoria,’ Debra in ‘See for Me,’ and Anna in ‘Jigsaw.’ She also features in several holiday movies like ‘A Christmas Exchange,’ ‘Christmas in the Wilds,’ and ‘A Christmas Together with You.’
Stephen Huszar as Jack DuBois
Stephen Huszar essays the character of Jack DuBois, the uptight event manager and Holly’s romantic interest. His acting talents are on full display in ‘Fringe’ as Sergeant Wheeler, ‘Supernatural’ as Pax, and ‘The Flash’ as Jared Morillo. He also stars in ‘SurrealEstate,’ ‘Chesapeake Shores,’ ‘Tribal,’ and ‘Letterkenny.’ His movie credits include ‘Fatal Exposure,’ ‘My One & Only,’ ‘Everything Puppies,’ ‘Navigating Christmas,’ and ‘Ruby Herring Mysteries: Prediction Murder.’
Jennifer Wigmore as Bianca Bonhomme
Jennifer Wigmore steps into the role of Bianca Bonhomme, Holly’s artistic idol, in ‘Melt My Heart This Christmas.’ The veteran actor has been in the industry for more than two decades, having showcased her acting prowess in all kinds of projects. You might recognize her from ‘Dream Scenario’ as Kayla, ‘Cross’ as Chief Anderson, ‘Malory Towers’ as Miss Grayling, and ‘Y: The Last Men’ as Regina Oliver. She also features in ‘Adult Adoption,’ ‘The Winter Palace,’ ‘Anne with an E,’ ‘Designated Survivor,’ ‘Heartland,’ and ‘I Was a Sixth Grade Alien.’
Other cast members who play supporting yet critical roles in the Hallmark production include Madeline Leon as Collette Turner, Darrin Baker as Walter Gregson, Tristen Huang as Kenzie, Jinny Wong as Sylvie, Tristen Sky as a patron, and John Koensgen.
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