Hallmark Channel recently held a sold-out panel at 92NY in New York City, where several announcements were made.
Among these was the revelation that Alison Sweeney (“Hannah Swensen Mysteries”) and Ashley Williams (“An Alpine Holiday”) will be reuniting for a new Christmas movie.
This marks the first time the fan-favorite Hallmark stars have appeared onscreen together since their films “To Barcelona, With Love” and its sequel, “To Barcelona, Forever.”
Per Hallmark Channel, the two will be stars and executive producers on the new film, which “takes them on a multi-state holiday adventure.”
Hallmark’s Favorite Double Act
During on an August 5 panel hosted by the Television Critics Association to mark Hallmark’s 25th anniversary, Sweeney and Williams discussed their various Hallmark collaborations.
During the conversation, the pair were asked whether they saw themselves as a modern-day version of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, who teamed up for numerous “Road to …” movies over the years.
Sweeney responded with a laugh, quipping, she saw them more like “Laverne and Shirley” when they work together.
‘A Crazy Idea’
Williams concurred, expressing how much fun they had when working together.
“You know, in all honesty, working with Alison Sweeney is A, super-fun, but B, a lesson in really good producing, Williams explained.
“So I will go anywhere with her. Again, like this all started because I had a crazy idea in a bar — where all good ideas happen,” she added. “And she said yes, and I will go anywhere with her.”
‘A Lesson in Saying Yes’
Sweeney insisted that feeling is mutual, pointing out that she also feels like she learns a lot from working with Williams.
“It is a good lesson in saying yes to crazy ideas ’cause you never know what’s going to happen,” Sweeney said.
“But Ashley is a good lesson in comedy and fun and a good attitude, and I enjoy working with you,” Sweeney said, addressing Williams, “and also an excellent producer and writer and talent. But it’s just fun every day. So, yes, we are all in on the Hope and Crosby metaphor and ‘Laverne & Shirley,’ and I hope to get to do a bunch more.”
Added Williams: “Absolutely, and we’re so excited to be announcing our Christmas movie together that we’re doing today. So, can’t wait for you guys to see it.”
A Christmas Caper
While the duo’s upcoming Countdown to Christmas movie has yet to receive a title, it does have a synopsis.
“Cassidy (Ashley Williams) is a no-nonsense Chicago lawyer who finds herself scrambling to get home to her father in Nashville on Christmas Eve after her flight gets canceled due to weather,” that synopsis reads.
“Jo (Alison Sweeney) is a fellow traveler bound for Nashville whose bright, sunny, easy-breezy attitude is the opposite of Cassidy’s sensible approach to life. Desperate to get home to her father, Cassidy reluctantly teams up with Jo, who enlists the help of her truck driver brother Chase (Steve Lund) to get them to another airport to catch new flights. On the long drive, Cassidy and Chase get to know each other while Jo takes a cat nap and it’s clear there may be a romantic spark between them by the time they arrive at their next destination. But when Cassidy and Jo’s journey hits snag after snag Chase comes to their rescue more than once. As they continue on make it home for Christmas, Jo and Cassidy slowly form a true friendship and help each other in unexpected ways,” the synopsis concludes.
