When Hallmark Channel’s “I’ll Be Seeing You” premieres on April 25, 2026, fans are sure to delight in the onscreen reunion between Hallmark fan-favorite Tyler Hynes and Tony-winning Broadway vet Christine Ebersole, two years after they co-starred in “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.”
Their reunion is no coincidence. Hynes developed this multigenerational adventure movie from start to finish, inspired by many of his past co-stars who were “older and much wiser” than him, he told EntertainmentNow ahead of the premiere. One of those was Ebersole, whom he hoped would agree to play actress Stacey Farber’s feisty grandma, who is key to the entire story.
During a Facebook Live discussion with Farber and People editor Breanne Heldman on April 24, Ebersole revealed she said yes as soon as Hynes asked her, without even seeing a script, and delivered her answer in song.
Christine Ebersole Said Yes to New Movie Simply ‘Because It Was Tyler’
Ebersole said during the Facebook Live session that, after appearing in “Holiday Touchdown” together, Hynes had casually mentioned working on another project with her. But it wasn’t until they were both attending a Hallmark event in Los Angeles that he asked her to star in his special new movie.
“This was more pointed, where he asked me if I would be interested in doing it,” Ebersole recalled, and that’s when a certain song from the musical “Oliver” popped into her head.
“That’s when I just sang, ‘I’ll do anything for you, dear, anything,'” she beamed. “I didn’t know what the script was about. It didn’t matter, because it was Tyler.”
Hynes told EntertainmentNow, “Christine was someone I deeply admired, and I thought, ‘Well, this would be so beautiful (to have her).'”
“When I saw her (at the event), I had sort of quietly asked her before if this would be something that she would just absolutely despair in doing,” he joked. “And she sang her response, and the rest is history.”
Tyler Hynes Says ‘It Doesn’t Get Any Better’ Than Knowing Christine Ebersole Enjoyed Making Their Movie
HallmarkIn “I’ll Be Seeing You,” Farber’s character Amy is derailed by a work trip, cutting into weekend plans with her grandma, played by Ebersole. Together, “they embark on a road trip with one sentimental detour but need the help of a charming activities director,” played by Hynes, per Hallmark’s synopsis. Hynes said he feels indebted to Ebersole, given the amount of work she’s put into not only co-starring in the movie but also promoting it.
“We asked a lot of her, in terms of the schedule,” he said, but added that he was relieved that it seemed to be a rewarding experience for her, too.
After he, Farber, and Ebersole conducted several days of press interviews in New York this week, he told EntertainmentNow, “I just said goodbye to Christine. She hugged me very tight and said ‘thank you,’ and she articulated some things that were very, very, very nice. And she very much wants to do more things (together). It just doesn’t get any better than that.”
Ebersole told Farber and Heldman during their Facebook Live that she’s treasured the time she’s spent making and promoting “I’ll Be Seeing You,” including their three-week shoot last fall, noting that “it was like the most fun summer camp.”
“I’m very honored and privileged and blessed,” Ebersole said of the experience, adding, “I just had the greatest time. I’m grateful.”
“I’ll Be Seeing You” premieres on April 25 at 8 p.m. Eastern time and will be available to stream the next day via Hallmark+.
