Hallmark’s latest movie, “Missing the Boat,” premieres on Saturday, January 31, at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. The movie stars Kristoffer Polaha and Emilie Ullerup. Read on to learn all the details about where it was filmed, and see some behind-the-scenes cast and crew stories.
‘Missing the Boat’ Was Filmed Bulgaria, Italy & Greece
Parts of “Missing the Boat” were filmed on location overseas in October, according to posts by cast and crew. Polaha shared that filming took place in Bulgaria, Italy, and Greece.
Trey Warner, who has a role in the film, posted on Instagram in October 2025: “We’re shooting a scene for Hallmark’s ‘MISSING THE BOAT’ here at this old train station in Sofia, Bulgaria. The atmosphere is unreal — feels like stepping back in time.” (Warner is hosting a watch party for the movie on Februarhy 2 at the Megaplex Theatres in Utah.)
According to Warner, some scenes were also filmed on a cruise ship in Athens, Greece. “The backgrop alone was unreal,” he wrote.
Polaha shared a reel with some behind-the-scene moments, writing: “We also do this job because sometimes you, yes you, just need to escape and get away and fall in love through a story and hope and dream and remember.”
Ullerup wrote that filming the movie was “one of my favorite experiences to date.”
Polaha replied to Ullerup’s post, writing: “Every single day was a joy and a blessing making this film. What an experience it was making this movie with you and I think you’re gonna Lucile Ball a run for her money with this performance. Fitting we get to celebrate 10 years in hallmark together! You were my first Christmas move co-star. ❤️”
“Missing the Boat” also had some scenes filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, according to IMDb.
Meet the Cast
Hallmark’s synopsis reads: “Strangers Kelly and Parker both end up on the same Italian cruise, but after missing the boat during a stop, they’re forced to team up and race across southern Italy to catch up.”
Kristoffer Polaha is Parker. Polaha is well known among Hallmark fans for his hit movies, both on the small screen and big screen. His 2023 Hallmark film, “A Biltmore Christmas,” was a huge hit that fans still talk about today. His other Hallmark originals include works like “The Christmas Quest,” “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas,” “We Wish You a Married Christmas,” “A Dickens! of a Holiday!,” the popular “Mystery 101” series, and more. He’s been seen in feature films too, like “Jurassic World Dominion” and “Wonder Woman 1984.”
Emilie Ullerup is Kelly. She’s perhaps best known among Hallmark fans for her lead role in the hit series, “Chesapeake Shores.” Her many other credits include “Retreat to You,” “Catch of the Day,” “Don’t Forget I Love You,” “Christmas Bells Are Ringing,” “Winter Castle,” “Nature of Love,” and more.
According to IMDb, Maclain Nelson directed this film, and Yurj Buzzi stars as Massimo.
