For Mae Whitman, her new series “The Twelve Dates of Christmas” is notable for several reasons. One, it’ll be her first Hallmark series. Second, it reunites her with Mary McDonnell, who also played her onscreen mom in 1996’s “Independence Day.” However, perhaps most importantly, it marked the first project she’d filmed mere months after her son, Miles, was born.
On December 3, Whitman posted a carousel of photos on Instagram, along with an emotional and heartwarming message. She expressed her gratitude to the cast and crew for “making my first filming experience as a mother so positive and joyous.”
Mae Whitman’s Touching Tribute to ‘Twelve Dates’ Cast & Crew
“The Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas” was filmed in Ireland, and Whitman began her post writing that, looking at the photos gave her “the deepest ache of love and missing this place and these people and this project.”
On August 28, 2024, the “A Season for Miracles” star announced that she had given birth to her first child with actor Carlos Valdes. She named him Miles, after her “Parenthood” co-star Mike Heizer.
“We filmed 12 dates just a couple months after I’d had my son,” she wrote. “And I was in such a vulnerable beautiful fragile state and the people of Ireland welcomed me so generously and lovingly into their arms that I ended up having what was truly one of the most amazing filming experiences of my entire career.”
She went on to say that many of the people she’d met became “family for life.” The teamwork and kindness she experienced on set was one of “the most rare and most treasured thing.” Whitman couldn’t wait to return one day and swim in the “magical” Irish Sea again.
She finished her touching post with the Irish saying “an rud is annamh is iontach,” which means “what is seldom is wonderful,” and a reminder to watch “The Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas” on December 5.
Hallmark’s New Holiday Series Features Disastrous Dates and Breadstick Shenanigans
In “The Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas,” Whitman plays Kate. Her friend, Laura (Lucy Eaton), signs her up on a holiday dating app. While she’s reluctant at first, she eventually meets Richard (Toby Sandeman), who helps her get excited about life again. But she also goes on a few bad dates.
Hallmark“There are some doozies,” Whitman told TV Insider. “I really felt for her. … She handles them in a very fun and relatable way. There’s one in which perhaps someone doesn’t even show up and she ends up having to entertain herself with the help of some breadsticks and some champagne. That was a fun one to film because they kind of just let me go wild and do what I would do if I was left to my own devices with champagne and bread, which I have been before. I was able to channel that pretty easily.”
Love Mae Whitman ever since Independence Day, Season of Miracles, Hope Floats. Great actress!! Great series!!