Jane Seymour Returning to Hallmark Channel in New Star-Studded Series

Though diehard fans of Jane Seymour can still catch reruns of “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman” late at night on Hallmark Channel, they’ll soon get to watch the iconic actress in a modern-day series there.

On March 20, 2025, Deadline reported that Hallmark will premiere a new holiday series featuring a star-studded cast including Seymour, whose last Hallmark project was 11 years ago — in 2014’s “A Royal Christmas” co-starring Lacey Chabert.

As word got out about her new series, Seymour posted on social media, “The news is out! 🤩 I’m so excited to share this with you. 🎉”

Hallmark Channel’s New Series Also Stars Mae Whitman & Mary McDonnell

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The limited holiday episode will consist of six episodes, per Deadline, with a working title of “The Twelve Dates of Christmas,” which means the name could change before it airs in late 2025. In addition to Seymour, the series will also star “Parenthood” alum Mae Whitman and two-time Oscar nominee Mary McDonnell.

Rounding out the cast are “Pretty Little Liars” alum Julian Morris, who co-starred with Megan Park in 2021’s “A Royal Queens Christmas;” British actor Toby Sandeman, who’s in Kate Hudson’s new Netflix series “Running Point;” and fellow British actor Nathaniel Parker, who has dozens of TV and feature film credits.

Based on the “Twelve Dates of Christmas” novel by Jenny Bayliss, the movie has begun filming in and around Dublin, Ireland, per Deadline, though the storyline takes place near London.

Whitman will play textile pattern designer Kate who lives in a quaint English village next door to her father Mac, played by Parker. According to Hallmark’s synopsis, he’s “long-divorced from Kate’s mother Delilah,” played by McDonnell, who’s a “globe-trotting American always on an adventure.” When she’s not working, Kate looks after her dad who’s “recovering from a motorbike accident and is inclined to spend his days sitting in his recliner.”

Meanwhile, Kate’s best friend Laura, played by Lucy Eaton, signs her up for a holiday matchmaking program called “The 12 Dates of Christmas,” which helps singles meet other eligible singles while participating in different holiday activities. Convinced by Laura and fellow bestie Callum, played by Morris, she gets into the holiday spirit and is shocked when she meets a potential love match, played by Sandeman. But when Kate’s mom shows up on her doorstep, holiday plans go awry — including her dad’s surprise connection with local widow Evelyn, played by Seymour.

Samantha DiPippo, Hallmark Media’s Senior Vice President of Programming, said in a statement, “The amazing cast we’ve assembled to bring to life these richly textured, relatable characters who experience a life-changing Christmas is the shining star on top of this tree.”

Hallmark Channel also shared the news in its Instagram Stories on March 20, writing, “Get ready for some holiday romance! #TheTwelveDatesofChristmas will premiere during Countdown to Christmas and streaming next day on Hallmark+ later this year!”

‘The Twelve Dates of Christmas’ is Hallmark’s 3rd Holiday Series

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“The Twelve Dates of Christmas” is Hallmark’s third holiday-themed series to debut in just over a year. The other two, however, were available exclusively on its new streaming platform, Hallmark+.

In 2024, it premiered two festive-themed series there. “Holidazed” featured a celebrity-filled ensemble cast that included Erin Cahill and Virginia Madsen, about six families in the same neighborhood going through the ups and downs of the holiday season.

Meanwhile, Sarah Drew’s mystery franchise, “Mistletoe Murders,” was renewed for a second season on Hallmark+ in early March.

Hallmark Channel’s annual Countdown to Christmas programming typically runs from October through the end of December, with original movies every weekend. Hallmark will likely wait until fall to announce an exact premiere date for “The Twelve Dates of Christmas.”