The Hallmark Channel’s newest movie, “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,“ premieres on Saturday, November 30, at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. The movie stars Hunter King and Tyler Hynes. But it will also feature special appearances and cameos from people well-known to Chiefs fans, including Travis Kelce’s mother Donna Kelce. Read on to learn more about where the movie was filmed and see behind-the-scenes moments.
‘Holiday Touchdown’ Was Filmed in Kansas City, Missouri
“Holiday Touchdown” was filmed on location in Kansas City, Missouri, the home of both the Chiefs and Hallmark’s headquarters.
In a press statement shared when the movie was first announced, Mark Donovan, president of the Kansas City Chiefs, said: “We are extremely grateful for the entire Hallmark team and the unique hometown partnership that’s been created around our two brands and this movie. With the excitement of the start of the football season, and the holiday season on the horizon, there is no better way to highlight this partnership and announce the premiere date than to leverage one of Kansas City’s biggest parties – Chiefs gameday!”
Donna Kelce will have a very special cameo in the movie. She’s won hearts as the ultimate football mom, passionately cheering on her sons, Jason and Travis Kelce, throughout their NFL careers. In the Hallmark movie, she plays a restaurant owner.
“We love Donna,” Hunter King told Us Weekly. “She never seemed nervous. She was just so confident. It was so casual, and she nailed it. She was just so much fun to have. She’s a breath of fresh air.”
The main filming location is Independence Square, a charming downtown in Independence, Missouri, featuring brick buildings, small businesses, and a grand town hall.
King took to Instagram to post: “A big thank you to @hallmarkchannel for having me at the #tca24 💜 My nerves instantly turned to excitement the second I stepped on stage with these legends, who I couldn’t feel more grateful to be working with! (not to mention all of the amazing people not pictured) I can’t wait for everyone to see what we’re making in Kansas City🏈✨ BTW…. the Espys?! Put me in Coach… I’m ready!”
In another post she wrote: “Kansas City, we’re comin for ya❤️ Only one week till we head on over to the inaugural Hallmark Christmas Experience in KC and I’m SO excited!! @hallmarkchannel has so many fun things planned for everyone coming to join us! So grab your holiday sweaters and come join me for weekend 1!❤️🎄✨”
Hallmark Channel has been promoting this movie extensively!
And they shared a welcome post for Donna Kelce.
Hynes took to Instagram to post a few things, too! “KC…and everyone in it…It’s been a love affair. And this summer fling isn’t over yet 🤍🏉”
“Thanks to all the writers, publications, onlookers and local background artists who joined us for the fun we’ve had. It’s not over, but we’re in the end zone ;)” he wrote in another post.
Writer Julie Sherman Wolfe shared her excitement about being a writer on the movie.
She posted: “What an incredible journey we had on the inaugural #HallmarkChannelChristmasCruise! Top moments for me? Meeting all the wonderful fans, laughing and singing our way through the #HolidayTouchdown panel (Big hugs to panel host extraordinaire @breannenyc who gave me probably the most ego-boosting, aw-shucks intro I’ve ever had!), watching the actors (all WONDERFUL people that I miss already) have a blast with the special scenes I wrote for them… the Christmas-decorated doors… bringing my sister along for the ride… making new friends, reconnecting with old ones… just all-in-all a spectacular time!”
Mary McDonough posted: “39 years later we get to work together again! Love that @ed_begley_jr So good to see you again! #holidaytouchdownachiefslovestory”
Meet the Cast
Hallmark’s synopsis for the movie reads:
Alana Higman is sure that her family’s lifelong history as Kansas City Chiefs superfans makes them a frontrunner to win the team’s “Fan of the Year” contest. Derrick, Director of Fan Engagement, is tasked with evaluating how Alana and her family stack up against the other two finalists. As the pair spends time together, it’s clear there’s a spark between them but when her grandfather’s vintage Chiefs good-luck winter hat goes missing, Alana begins to doubt everything she believed about fate, destiny and even questions her future with Derrick – unless, that is, a little Christmas magic can throw a Hail Mary.
Hallmark’s press release noted that special guests in the movie would include: “Jenna Bush Hager, Donna Kelce, Diedrich Bader, Megyn Price, Richard Riehle, Christine Ebersole, Richard Christie and Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid alongside many of his standout Kansas City Chiefs players.”
One of the guest stars who will no doubt catch fans’ hearts is Catrick Homes.
Tyler Hynes stars as one of the leads, Derrick. According to his bio, he’s an actor, director, producer, writer, and musician. He began his career at eight and transitioned to TV and film by 13.
Known for his versatility, Hynes earned a Gemini nomination for “Tagged: The Jonathan Wamback Story” and has starred in projects like “The Last Sign” with Andie MacDowell, who now is a lead in “The Way Home.” He’s well known for Hallmark hits like “A Picture of Her” and “Three Wise Men and a Baby,” as well as in “Saving Hope,” “UnREAL,” and “Letterkenny.”
Hunter King is Alana. According to her bio, she is best known for her role as a series regular on CBS’ “Life in Pieces” alongside Colin Hanks and Betsy Brandt. She also earned two Daytime Emmys for her portrayal of Summer Newman on “The Young and the Restless.”
In film, King starred in “A Girl Like Her” and was the lead in ABC’s 2020 comedy pilot “Prospect.” She recently wrapped filming the indie feature “Give Me Your Eyes.”
King has also starred in Hallmark Channel’s “The Professional Bridesmaid” and “A Royal Corgi Christmas,” as well as “Nikki & Nora: Sister Sleuths” for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
Also starring, according to IMDb, are:
- Mary Beth McDonough
- Ed Begley Jr
- Jenna Bush Hager
- Holden Fedele
- Jera Good
- Tiffany Renee Bear
- Laurence X. Subelka
- Nicholas Voss
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Where Was “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story“ Filmed? See Cast Stories & Locations