Naman Shrestha
With Jeff Beesley at the helm, Hallmark’s ‘The Snow Must Go On’ is a romantic drama movie that follows Isaiah Heyward, a talented actor seeking to return to Broadway after a decade of absence. In order to recalibrate his focus and reevaluate his life, he travels to upstate New York to spend his holidays away from the hustle and bustle of the city and with his sister, Jess, and niece, Aurora. Upon finding out that Aurora’s high school is looking for a director to bring their annual Christmas musical to life, he decides to take on the responsibility, thanks to the encouragement from his niece and Lilly-Anne Brigente, the school’s guidance counselor.
Besides being the director, Isaiah also casts himself as the lead of the musical after learning that a renowned Broadway producer’s daughter is a part of the production. During the rehearsals leading up to the Christmas Eve opening night of the musical, he sparks an inevitable romance with Lilly-Anne and creates a special bond with the students, realizing the importance of family, friendship, and love. As the story unfolds amidst the bustling New York City and the quiet of upstate New York, the drastic change in the setting sets the tone of the narrative.
Where Was The Snow Must Go On Filmed?
The shooting for ‘The Snow Must Go On’ was conducted entirely in Manitoba, particularly in Winnipeg. As per reports, principal photography for the Hallmark production took place over the course of nearly 20 days, from June 9 to June 27, 2025. Bordered by Ontario to the east, the province of Manitoba is a balanced blend of natural and man-made landscapes, making it the ideal production location for different kinds of projects.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
While the illuminating world of ‘The Snow Must Go On’ is set in New York, no part of the taping was conducted in the Empire State. In reality, filming actually took place in Winnipeg in central Canada. The capital city of Manitoba province doubled for the Big Apple in New York. The production team visited Exchange District, a vibrant neighborhood in the heart of the downtown area, to shoot a major portion of the lighthearted film. Dubbed the Chicago of the North, Winnipeg hosted the shooting of the Hallmark production likely due to its reputation as a cultural hub. The National Historic Site is packed with numerous heritage buildings that showcase stunning architecture, as well as restaurants, museums, boutiques, theaters, art galleries, nightclubs, diners, and other attractions that make it a popular tourist destination and a bustling site for filming.
In an interview with Tourism Winnipeg, director Beesley opened up about the technical aspects involved in ensuring the production process ran smoothly. He said, “We have some of the best practical effect artists in the world right here in Winnipeg. Davin MacRae and his team bring the Christmas magic even when the mercury outside is soaring! They use a variety of techniques ranging from snow blankets, snow machines, foam machines and even fish-ice for the closer shots – yes, the same ice supermarkets display their fish on!” Thus, the unique practical effects truly transformed the filming locations into a winter wonderland.
The Snow Must Go On Cast Details
Corey Cott and Heather Hemmens bring the wholesome tale of ‘The Snow Must Go On’ to life through their impressive onscreen performance and undeniable chemistry. Since Corey has Broadway experience, he fits into the story of the Hallmark film, which also explores subjects related to Broadway. Besides acting, he also has a talent for singing. On the other hand, Heather is also a talented actor who has served as a director and producer for a couple of short films, ‘Designated’ and ‘Perils of an Active Mind.’ She has also directed two episodes of ‘Roswell, New Mexico.’
Corey Cott as Isaiah Heyward
Corey Cott essays the role of Isaiah Heyward, the Broadway actor who directs the high school’s Christmas musical, in ‘The Snow Must Go On.’ Widely recognized for his roles of Will in ‘Making Waves,’ Charlie in ‘Season’s Greetings from Cherry Lane,’ and Henry in ‘Butlers in Love,’ the talented actor also has several TV credits to his name, such as ‘Filthy Rich,’ ‘The Equalizer,’ ‘The Good Fight,’ ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,’ and ‘Z: The Beginning of Everything.’
Heather Hemmens as Lilly-Anne Brigente
Heather Hemmens steps into the character of Lilly-Anne Brigente, the school’s guidance counselor and Isaiah’s love interest, in the Hallmark production. Over the course of her decades-long acting career, Heather has showcased her versatility and talent by taking on all kinds of roles. You might recognize her as Anna in ‘A Pinch of Portugal,’ Beth Hendricks in ‘Christmas in My Heart,’ and Lily Bellenger in ‘Love, Take Two.’ She also features in several TV shows, including ‘Roswell, New Mexico’ as Maria DeLuca, ‘Yellowstone’ as Melody Prescott, ‘Dad Stop Embarassing Me!’ as Stacy Collins, and ‘Hellcats’ as Alice Verdura.
Besides the lead actors, the cast of ‘The Snow Must Go On’ also includes other talented actors who play supporting yet important roles, including Rodrigo Beilfuss as Noah, Samantha Kendrick as Jess, Sullivan McIntyre as Travis, Stephanie Sy as Cindy, Sal Tait as Gregory, Kaelyn Yoon-MacRae as Aurora, and Ameymae Swift as a theatre guest.
Read More: Christmas on Every Page: Filming Locations and Cast Details
