A beloved actress has joined the cast of the upcoming sequel to Hallmark’s “A Biltmore Christmas.” “The Way Home” star Andie MacDowell will play a role in the film airing during Hallmark’s “Countdown to Christmas.”
In December, Variety revealed that Hallmark would be doing a sequel to the 2023 movie that fans dearly loved. “A Grand Biltmore Christmas” will air during the 2026 Christmas season.
The initial movie starred Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha, both of whom will pop up in the new Biltmore movie. The main stars, however, will be Holland Roden and Niall Matter.
Roden recently starred in Hallmark’s “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story.” Matter has starred in several Hallmark projects, including the recent Christmas movie, “We Met in December.”
Now, it has been announced that “The Way Home” star MacDowell will also be in “A Grand Biltmore Christmas.”
Andie MacDowell Plays Aunt Maysilee in ‘A Grand Biltmore Christmas’
On January 29, Southern Living shared the news. MacDowell will play the character of Aunt Maysilee, who is described as a “prim, somewhat matronly yet spirited” woman.
Hallmark relayed to Southern Living that Aunt Maysilee is someone who “places importance on societal norms” and is “Practical, traditional and somewhat meddling.”
During “A Great Biltmore Christmas,” viewers will see Aunt Maysilee join her niece Elizabeth (Roden) at the Biltmore Estate. Apparently, Aunt Maysilee “isn’t shy about letting Elizabeth know how she thinks her niece should live her live, which comes from a place of love.”
As Southern Living noted, MacDowell is a native of South Carolina and has ties to the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. According to Biltmore’s Vice President of Guest Experiences, Chase Pickering, MacDowell used to board her horse on the property.
“It is just such an honor to have Andie in this movie,” Pickering told the media outlet. He noted he even attended school with her daughters and his family “has a long-standing relationship” with her.
He shared, “It has been an absolute pleasure to welcome her back for the filming of this movie.”
Pickering added, “The role that she’s cast in as Aunt Maysilee is a wonderful role for her and her personality.”
The New Hallmark Movie Brings Back the Biltmore Estate Magic
The storyline in “A Grand Biltmore Christmas” revolves around Elizabeth and Michael (Matter). As Southern Living shares, the two first meet on Christmas Eve in 1895 on the opening night at Biltmore House.
Elizabeth and her family are at the Biltmore House as guests on that holiday evening. Michael, however, will be found trespassing on the property. Elizabeth will help him stay out of trouble by insisting she knows him, although that wasn’t the case. He then disappears.
Twenty years later, Elizabeth returns to the Biltmore Estate. She is joined by her romantic partner, James, as well as her Aunt Maysilee.
During an evening event, Elizabeth is asked to dance by a man she comes to realize is Michael. The movie will not only show Michael and Elizabeth in 1895 and 1915, but in the 21st century, as well.
If it has Niall Matter in it I’ll watch it !
This will be such a great movie … i’m really happy with all the cameos as well. Way to go Hallmark!!!