Hallmark Channel premieres the first of five Winter Escape movies on January 3, 2026, with “Lost in Paradise” starring Lacey Chabert and Ian Harding.
According to Hallmark’s synopsis, Chabert plays a “high-end fashion company” founder and Harding plays a chef in the new rom-com. While they’re “marooned on a deserted island,” romance blossoms as they try to survive their tropical conundrum. Here’s everything we know about the making of “Lost in Paradise!”
Lacey Chabert Called ‘Lost in Paradise’ Fiji Shoot the ‘Most Spectacular Experience’
On September 24, 2025, Chabert revealed in a social media post that she had just returned from Fiji, where she spent a month filming “Lost in Paradise” with Harding. He joked in his Instagram Stories that day, “I truly can’t believe @thereallacey put up with me for a month.”
Chabert later posted a selfie video from her car, excitedly telling fans, “I can finally tell you about what I’ve been doing this past month! Ian Harding and I filmed a movie in Fiji. I just got back a couple days ago, and it was just the most spectacular experience. So many stories. The people there are the most incredibly loving, kind people, and welcomed us with, just, open arms. And it was just such a special one and I can’t wait to tell you more.”
In the days before the film’s premiere, Chabert shared more via social media and in interviews about their remote filming location, including a video montage of them filming. According to the Australian government, the Republic of Fiji is “an archipelago of 322 islands” that about 900,000 people call home.
Chabert wrote in her post, “When we had to use a rope to climb up a mountainside the first day of filming to get to set, I knew this was going to be a true adventure!”
Turns out that adventure included conquering her fear of snakes, Chabert revealed on “Good Morning America” before the movie’s premiere, explaining, “When I showed up on set, there were not one but five snakes. I was counting them the entire time: ‘I’m keeping my eye on all of you!’ But I actually faced my fear, and I ended up holding a snake by the end of the day.”
‘Lost in Paradise’ Crew Rose to the Challenge of Filming in Fiji
In addition to revealing their upcoming movie to fans on September 26, Chabert and Harding were featured in a photo posted that same day by Synthentic Cinema, the production company behind many of Chabert’s recent Hallmark movies, including 2025’s “She’s Making a List,” 2024’s “The Christmas Quest,” and 2023’s “Haul Out the Holly.”
When they weren’t filming, the cast and crew stayed at the luxurious Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour, according to a post from Synthetic Cinema.
On September 19, the company posted photos of its “Lost in Paradise” crew, writing, “A huge thank you to our incredible international crew from the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji.”
The post continued, “What a team – fast, friendly, professional, and creative. The footage you all pulled together over the past month is nothing short of amazing. And to our cast – thank you for diving headfirst into the adventure with us. Your energy and spirit made this fun and unique rom-com truly special. Can’t wait for everyone to see this movie! 🎥💫 Gratitude all around!”
Chabert reiterated that on “Good Morning America,” calling the experience “magical,” and gushing about the native Fijians they met.
“I mean, the most incredible people, so kind, so welcoming,” she said. “We got there, out of the van, just getting to the hotel, they welcomed us with this ceremony and a song. It was just the kindest people.”
Ian Harding Says Cast & Crew Became a ‘Fun Little Family’ in Fiji
“Pretty Little Liars” alum and Hallmark regular Harding also shared how much he loved filming in Fiji, posting a photo carousel on December 30 and writing that working with Chabert “was somehow even better than I imagined it.”
He continued, “Thank you @syntheticcinema and @hallmarkchannel for having me, thanks to our little yet mighty crew that gave everything they had and became a fun little family for the three weeks we ‘worked’ on the film. And Vinaka Fiji for welcoming us with open arms.”
Overseen by popular Hallmark director Dustin Reikert, “Lost in Paradise” also features supporting cast members Lauren Gibson, Paul Hughes, Sean Miguel Perez, and James Trevena, who are all new to Hallmark.
‘Lost in Paradise’ Cast & Crew Ended Shoot With Epic Wrap Party
On September 19, Synthetic Cinema posted photos from what it called “the most epic Fijian wrap party ever,” hiding Chabert and Harding’s faces since the movie had not yet been announced. The beachside party included food, drinks, and dancing with music from local performers.
The production company’s post said, “What an incredible journey – we’ve made friends, shared laughs, and created memories that will stay with us forever. Though it’s hard to say goodbye, we know this is not the end…Fiji has a way of calling you back. A huge vinaka vakalevu to The Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour for being our home away from home and embracing us with kindness every step of the way.”
“Lost in Paradise” premieres on Hallmark Channel on January 4 at 8 p.m. Eastern time, and will be available to stream the following day on Hallmark+.
That was an Awesome Movie. Lacey was AMAZING as always. The Scenery was Beautiful. Thank You Hallmark for another Fabulous Movie.
I absolutely loved this movie…It was fresh and not corny…loved the scenery and the acting…Beautiful movie.