Naman Shrestha
Based on a beautiful true story, Hallmark’s ‘Once Upon a Christmas Miracle’ follows a young nursing student, Heather Krueger, whose life is turned upside down when she is diagnosed with a stage-4 liver ailment right before Christmas. Since only an urgent liver transplant can save her life, she is not hopeful of finding a donor. Fortunately, a recent ex-Marine, Chris Dempsey, volunteers for liver donation and agrees to donate half his liver to Heather and save her life. The nursing student reluctantly meets Chris, unaware that he has already signed up for the life-saving transplant surgery.
As they spend time together and get to know one another, the two form an unexpectedly deep bond, transcending the donor-recipient relationship. After the successful transplant, as the ex-Marine becomes a virtual member of Heather’s family, they fall head over heels in love. With Gary Yates at the helm, the 2018 romantic comedy drama movie is set mostly in the hospital where the surgery is performed. The well-lit streets also fill up the visual canvas, highlighting the narrative’s heartwarming themes of love and care against the backdrop of the holidays.
Where Was Once Upon a Christmas Miracle Filmed?
Production on ‘Once Upon a Christmas Miracle’ took place in Manitoba and Texas, specifically in Winnipeg and Austin. Principal photography for the rom-com was reportedly conducted over the course of a few weeks in October 2018. The cast and crew had a wonderful time together on set and also explored the cities in their free time.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
The city of Winnipeg in Manitoba served as the primary filming location for ‘Once Upon a Christmas Miracle.’ Its picturesque streets, historic landmarks and charming winter scenery provided an ideal backdrop to create the visual canvas of Chris and Heather’s love story. The team visited The Fort Garry Hotel, an early-20th-century Château-style hotel at 222 Broadway, to film a few scenes that required a timeless elegance. Moreover, Balmoral Hall School at 630 Westminster Avenue also doubled up as a shooting site. The festive vibe and snow-covered landscape of the Canadian capital added a layer of authenticity and warmth to the holiday-themed romance.
Austin, Texas
In addition to Winnipeg, the cast and crew of the Hallmark movie headed to the city of Austin in Texas to tape a small portion of the film. According to reports, several sequences were lensed at The Driskill – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, located at 604 Brazos Street. In particular, they used the hotel’s iconic Richardsonian Romanesque exterior to depict the building where the fundraiser takes place. The intricate and grand architecture of the property further complemented the film’s setting. As a prominent shooting destination, Austin offered the team a wide range of settings, skilled technicians, and well-established production facilities, ensuring a seamless and efficient filming process.
Once Upon a Christmas Miracle Cast Details
Aimee Teegarden and Brett Dalton bring the romantic tale of ‘Once Upon a Christmas Miracle’ to life through their chemistry-filled performances. The former is also a well-known model, producer, and director, having served as a producer/associate producer for ‘Bakery in Brooklyn,’ ‘Beneath the Darkness,’ ‘Beautiful Wave,’ and ‘Aim High.’ As for Brett, he developed a passion for acting after graduating from Westmont High School in Campbell, California, in 2001.
Aimee Teegarden as Heather Krueger
In ‘Once Upon a Christmas Miracle,’ Aimee Teegarden steps into the role of Heather Krueger, the nursing student who needs a liver transplant to survive. The multi-talented actor is widely recognized for her portrayals of Julie Taylor in ‘Friday Night Lights,’ Emery Whitehill in ‘Star-Crossed,’ Ella Benjamin in ‘Notorious,’ and Skye in ‘Rings.’ You might also spot her in recurring roles in ‘The Ranch,’ ‘90210,’ and ‘9-1-1.’
Brett Dalton as Chris Dempsey
Brett Dalton essays the character of Chris Dempsey, the ex-Marine who donates half his liver to Heather, in the Hallmark production. With nearly two decades of industry experience, he has demonstrated his prowess by taking on challenging roles across diverse projects. For instance, he portrays Eric Lombard in ‘Lost in Florence,’ James in ‘Beside Still Waters,’ Jason Bedford in ‘One December Night,’ and Martin Clayborne in ‘Just My Type.’ His TV credits include ‘Found,’ ‘The Equalizer,’ ‘Chicago Fire,’ ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,’ and ‘Ghostwriter.’
In the romantic drama movie, Lolita Davidovich plays the role of Judy Dempsey, while Cassandra Potenza features as Ashley Krueger. A bunch of other talented actors also star in the film in supporting roles, including Nancy Sorel as Kathy Krueger, Thom Zimerle as Bill Krueger, Steve Bacic as Jack, Melissa Marie Elias as Jennette, Martin Roach as Dr. Jenkins, Micheline Marchildon as Rosa, Candace Smith as Professor Tierney, and Darren Martens as Andy. In addition, Rick Gensiorek as Elderly Gentleman and Danika Frederick as Sadie also feature in the Hallmark production.
Read More: Meet Me in the Margins: Filming Locations and Cast Details
