A Writer Finds Herself Back in Time in Hallmark Channel's 'A Biltmore Christmas'

Kristoffer Polaha and Bethany Joy Lenz

What is it about time travel stories that we love so much? Is it the improbability and the impossibility of it all? Or is it that the stories have an underlying theme of love and romance?

While there's a definite sci-fi element to a good time travel movie (think Back to the Future, Terminator), there are plenty of time travel films that are all about romance and finding your soulmate. Classic films like Somewhere in Time and Time After Time to more modern fare like The Lake House and Safety Not Guaranteed find love conquers all when it comes to being with your soulmate.

Some of Hallmark's most popular movies revolve around time travel. The network's newest series, A Way Home, adds a time-travel twist to the family drama, and some of the most popular Christmas movies also involve time travel—Journey Back to Christmas and A Timeless Christmas. Get ready to add another time-travel Christmas movie to your must watch list: A Biltimore Christmas.

A Biltmore Christmas, starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha, takes viewers back to the golden age of cinema and was shot entirely on location at the historic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C.

"Each year we look for ways to create exciting, new holiday viewing experiences for our audience," Samantha DiPippo, Senior Vice President, Development, Programming, Hallmark Media, said in a release. "We know fans will love being transported back in time and the iconic, beautiful Biltmore Estate is the perfect setting to help fans get into the holiday spirit."

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Here's everything we know so far about Hallmark Christmas movie A Biltmore Christmas.

What is A Biltmore Christmas about?

Lucy Hardgrove (Bethany Joy Lenz) is a screenwriter who lands the job of a lifetime when she’s hired to pen the script for a remake of the beloved, holiday movie classic, His Merry Wife!, which was filmed in 1947 at the beautiful, historic Biltmore House. When the head of the studio isn’t satisfied with the ending Lucy wrote because it deviates from the original’s feel-good conclusion, he sends Lucy to the Biltmore Estate for research and inspiration, where she’s welcomed by Biltmore employee Winston (Jonathan Frakes). While there, she unwittingly discovers the ability to travel to the 1947 set of His Merry Wife! through the help of an hourglass. While on set, she and Jack Huston (Kristoffer Polaha), one of the film’s stars, spend time together and become close. But her sudden appearance has set off a chain of events that puts the production in jeopardy. Before she can return to the present, Lucy must make things right or threaten to alter the future forever.

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Where was A Biltmore Christmas filmed?

A Biltmore Christmas was filmed at the Biltmore estate in Asheville, North Carolina earlier this year when the estate was decked out with boughs of holly for the holidays. Although this National Historic Landmark has been home to many productions over the years, this movie marks the first time Biltmore Estate itself serves as the setting. In an informal chat, Jonathan Frakes, who stars as Winston in the film, said he was astounded that they were able to film at the storied estate and spoke of some of the rooms he'd wish they were able to film in!

What is Biltmore Estate?

Located in Asheville, N.C., Biltmore was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, Biltmore House is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family's original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Biltmore Estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture.

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Meet the cast of A Biltmore Christmas

Bethany Joy Lenz (Lucy Hardgrove)

Bethany Joy Lenz starred in Five Star Christmas with Victor Webster, Snowed Inn and Bottled with Love, both with Andrew Walker and Just My Type opposite Brett Dalton. Lenz, who also sings, released a holiday EP, Snow.

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Kristoffer Polaha (Jack Huston)

Polaha is a familiar face to Hallmark viewers. He has starred in the Mystery 101 movies opposite Jill Wagner as well as several films on Hallmark Channel. Polaha most recently appeared on Jurassic World: Dominion and Wonder Woman 1984 and stars in the upcoming feature film, The Shift with Neal McDonough. He previously was a series regular on Backstrom opposite Rainn Wilson and The CW's Valentine.

Related: Great American Family's Christmas Lineup is Here!

Jonathan Frakes (Winston)

Frakes is best known for his role as Commander William T. Riker in the Star Trek universe. He originated the role on Star Trek: The Next Generation and reprised the role for Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Lower Decks. He has also stepped behind the camera as a director and directed and also starred in Star Trek: First Contact as well as Star Trek: Insurrection. Besides directing many episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, he also directed a number of episodes of Leverage, Castle, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Most recently, he directed the live action-animated crossover episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks.

Fun fact: Look for another Star Trek alum in A Biltmore Christmas. Robert Picardo, who was the virtual doctor on Star Trek: Voyager also appears in the film as Harold Balaban, the owner of the movie studio in the 1940s.

Did you know? Frakes' TV wife, Marina Sirtis, also appears in Hallmark movies. Sirtis appeared in My Summer Prince and more recently, Love's Greek to Me. Marina Sirtis played Counselor Deanna Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation and its subsequent movies as well as the recent Star Trek: Picard series.

Are there any surprise guest stars in A Biltmore Christmas?

Keep an eagle eye out, viewers! There are some fun cameos in this one!

When does A Biltmore Christmas premiere?

A Biltmore Christmas premieres on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel.

When can I watch A Biltmore Christmas again?

Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 10 p.m. ET
Saturday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. ET
Thursday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 17 at 10 p.m. ET
Thursday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. ET
Monday, Dec. 26 at 6 p.m. ET

Who are the producers of A Biltmore Christmas?

A Biltmore Christmas is from Hallmark Media. Dustin Rikert is executive producer and Andrew Gernhard serves as producer. John Putch directs from a script by Marcy Holland.

Does Parade have a sneak peek of A Biltmore Christmas?

Of course we do! Check out this Parade exclusive sneak peek of A Biltmore Christmas below.

Check out images from A Biltmore Christmas

Take a look at images from A Biltmore Christmas starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Kristoffer Polaha and Jonathan Frakes in the gallery below. Doesn't it make you want to visit the Biltmore Estate?

View the 25 images of this gallery on the original article

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