Debapriya Bhattacharya
Helmed by Nina Weinman, ‘We Met in December’ tells the story of Annie Lane and Dave Weeks, two strangers who come across each other during an unexpected layover in Chicago in mid-December. In the course of a single night, they fall in love and share the most wonderful time, only to be separated the following morning without exchanging contact information. In an attempt to find each other, both of them return to Chicago and start searching, using only the holiday plans they have shared as clues. The bustling cityscape forms the perfect setting for a blossoming Christmas romance in the Hallmark film.
Where Was We Met in December Filmed?
Principal photography for ‘We Met in December’ took place in July 2025 in Ontario, specifically in the city of Ottawa. The temperate province is extremely popular for film productions, thanks to its diverse scenic landscape and robust infrastructure, which facilitate the process. The presence of diverse backdrops, ranging from bustling cityscapes to small towns in the wilderness, enables the location to serve as a stand-in for various settings. There is also a vast pool of skilled and trained human resources for the shoot. Ontario offers attractive tax incentives and enthusiastic support from local government bodies, which further attracts businesses to the province.
Ottawa, Ontario
The national capital city of Ottawa, located in the southeastern part of the Ontario province, became the primary shooting destination for ‘We Met in December.’ The historic city with its mix of historic and modern architecture is a cultural hub of the country. The scenic neighborhoods and bright public places formed the perfect backdrop for the holiday romance, wonderfully standing in for the American city of Chicago, Illinois.
One of the prominent places featured in the film is the luxury hotel, Fairmont Château Laurier, situated at 1 Rideau Street in Ottawa. The classic French design makes the building stand out, as Annie and Dave meet at its doorstep. Scenes were shot both in and around the establishment, which is popular for its grand interiors, elegant halls, and sophisticated restaurants. Another famous structure featured in the film is St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, located at 217 First Avenue. Founded in 1898, the historic building in the Glebe neighborhood is one of the oldest parishes in the province, and has a warm presence in the romantic drama.
Sequences have also been captured in several other locations across the city, particularly in Downtown Ottawa. The bustling space is the hub of all activities, helping to represent the similarly busy Chicago. Apart from ‘We Met in December,’ movies that have been filmed in Ottawa include ‘Hot Frosty,’ ‘Hotel for the Holidays,’ ‘One Delicious Christmas,’ ‘Two Lovers and a Bear,’ ‘Midnight at the Magnolia,’ ‘Too Young to Marry,’ and many more. The city has also been the backdrop of television shows like ‘Geek Girl,’ ‘Kevin Spencer,’ ‘Fifteen,’ ‘Michael: Every Day,’ among others.
We Met in December Cast Details
The cast of ‘We Met in December’ is led by Hallmark veterans Autumn Reeser and Niall Matter. The latter is an actor and producer who was born and brought up in Canada, and balances his work on both sides of the border. Meanwhile, Autumn is an actress, producer, and director from California who fell in love with the craft and pursued it from a very early age. Apart from her career in films and television, Autumn is also a well-known theater artist who has performed in the West End.
Autumn Reeser as Annie Lane
‘We Met in December’ stars Autumn Reeser as Annie Lane, a woman who finds her true love during an unexpected layover in Chicago ahead of the holidays. She stars in films such as ‘Junebug’ as Juniper, ‘Sully’ as Passenger with Baby, ‘Beautiful Disaster’ as Professor Felder, ‘The Wedding Veil Legacy’ as Emma, and many more. Her television show appearances include ‘The O.C.’ as Taylor Townsend, ‘Entourage’ as Lizzie Grant, ‘The Arrangement’ as Leslie Bellcamp, and ‘Salvation’ as Theresa, among others.
Niall Matter as Dave Weeks
Niall Matter stars in ‘We Met in December’ as Dave Weeks, Annie’s love interest. Apart from this project, Niall has been seen in movies like ‘The Predator,’ playing Sapir, ‘Watchmen,’ playing Mothman, ‘Christmas Under the Lights’ as Jerry, ‘This Time Each Year’ as Kevin, among others. He also appears as Evan Cross in ‘Primeval: New World,’ Zane Donovan in ‘Eureka,’ Bael in ‘Providence Falls,’ Cole Vaughn in ‘Magnum P.I.,’ and many other television shows.
‘We Met in December’ further boasts a talented supporting ensemble, which includes Lara Amersey as Olivia, Michael Barbuto as DJ Wolf, Valentina Capetola as Cora, Zoe Fraser as Courtney, Brenda Ngo as Manager, Maya Paciocco as Sasha, David Pinard as Brady, and Dave Rose as Reverend. Moreover, David Rosser as Mike, Nora Sheehan as Gail, Tristen Sky as Gen Z Coworker, Kyana Teresa as Kate, Jon Welch as French Chef, and Tara Yelland as Violet round off the cast.
Read More: Christmas on Every Page: Filming Locations and Cast Details
