Andrew Walker and Tyler Hynes have become Hallmark Channel fan favorites — both as solo actors and in projects together.
In fact, the pair have shared the screen (alongside fellow faux brother Paul Campbell) in Hallmark hit “Three Wise Men and a Baby” and its two sequels.
All About the Fans
The co-stars were together again on Wednesday, August 5 as part of a star-studded Hallmark Channel panel hosted by the Television Critics Association.
The occasion: to mark Hallmark Channel’s 25th anniversary, a celebration that the two actors acknowledged has only been possible because of the fans who watch.
Hynes has experienced that firsthand. In fact, he’s at the center of an incredible fanbase of self-described “Hynies” who have built such an incredibly supportive community that a documentary is being made about the phenomenon.
Accepting and Encouraging
During the panel, Hynes admitted he continues to be blown away by Hallmark fans.
“I would say this playground that they’ve kind of created, that they are the people who set the tone,” he said of the fans.
“They create an atmosphere that’s incredibly accepting and warm and encouraging,” he continued. “And I think it allows for all of this sort of pageantry that we’re involved in to feel very genuine and very kind and very safe.”
A Sea of Positivity
As Hynes explains, Hallmark movies and TV series exude positivity, a philosophy that is not only carried through the brand, but has also been embraced by fans.
“And I think it allows for our industry to focus on really nice, positive things, because these things are challenging to make and everybody is coming from different places in their lives and whatnot,” he shared.
“So I think they set the tone for what is an incredibly, as much of a positive, kind work environment that could ever possibly exist, I would assume.”
Thanks to the Fans
Walker concurred, insisting that Hynes had hit the proverbial nail on the head.
“I think it’s exactly that,” agreed Walker.
“And I think it’s, you know … people say thank you for being in these movies, but thank them. I thank the fans for accepting me and, you know, all my quirks and things that I do and, you know, the way that I am,” he added.
According to Walker, the Hallmark experience is somewhat unique in Hollywood, which has led the actors to become not just Hallmark star, but Hallmark fans as well.
“And just, you know, being an actor, you’re met with so much negativity and self-doubt, and, you know, this is anything but that,” he declared.
“It’s been just this incredibly accepting environment,” Walker continued. “And it’s not like, you know, we don’t have these verticals that are all competing against each other. It’s this network as a whole that each actor and each movie fills a void for somebody and we’re not competing amongst each other. We’re all part of this conglomerate and this, like, positive force, you know, that is met with this fanbase that is truly, you know, unlike any other. So yeah, I thank the fans. We thank the fans.”
