Although Jaeda Lily Miller has been part of the Hallmark family since she was eight years old, the “When Calls the Heart” actress is growing up in front of fans’ eyes and coming into her own — much like Allie, the character she’s played on the series since 2019. Allie got lots of screen time during the season 13 premiere on January 4, 2026, from her reunion with friends in Hope Valley to her slowly developing romance with Oliver.
Miller, who’s now 19, has stretched herself as an actress over the last couple of years with emotionally raw scenes on the series and by taking on additional movie roles. Her Hallmark colleagues have definitely noticed; some of the series’ biggest stars have commented in recent weeks about how proud and impressed they are with Miller’s growth, excited to see what she does next.
Ben Rosenbaum Was Amazed by Jaeda Lily Miller’s ‘Transformation’ on His Christmas Movie
HallmarkBen Rosenbaum, who has played Mike Hickam on “When Calls The Heart” since 2014, got the chance to see Miller in a totally different light when she appeared in his 2025 holiday movie “The Christmas Cup.” Before the movie’s premiere, he told EntertainmentNow how impressed he was with Miller, noting that they got to spend much more time together on that set than when they’re filming “When Calls The Heart.”
“Our characters can go a long time before getting to have scenes together on the show,” he said of Hickam and Allie. “So this was much more concentrated, and I got many days in a row of working with her, and that was super fun.”
Rosenbaum said Miller was so good playing a different and more vivacious character, Starla, that she “stole some scenes” in the movie. He gushed, “She’s so bubbly and fun and funny in this. She really takes a character that felt like it could have been a caricature, and made it feel totally real, like a real person in the world who’s just a little bit extra dramatic, a little extra out there.”
While the season premiere of “When Calls The Heart” was airing on January 4, Rosenbaum sang her praises again when he tweeted, “I still can’t believe the @jaedalilymiller who plays Allie in WCTH is the very same Jaeda who played Starla in The Christmas Cup. So different! Such a transformation!”
Rosenbaum added a cute GIF to his tweet, with a clip of comedian Billy Eichner aggressively stating, “You are overflowing with talent and I admire you!”
Kevin McGarry Says He’s Loved Seeing Jaeda Lily Miller Become an ‘Incredible Actress’
In “When Calls the Heart,” longtime Hallmark star Kevin McGarry plays Allie’s uncle and adoptive dad, Hope Valley Mountie Nathan Grant. At the Hallmark Christmas Experience in December, Stephanie Long of the “Heart in Motion” podcast captured video of McGarry singing Miller’s praises. She shared footage of Miller’s early days on the show to reveal her physical growth, contrasted with McGarry praising her personal growth over the years.
He told the audience, “When Jaeda came on to … our show, seven years ago or whatever? I have seen Jaeda, because I work so closely with her, not only grow up as an actor, but as a person, as well, and bring all these life experiences that she’s had to work and play off (of), and I’ve just seen her become this incredible actress.”
“You don’t get that (while working) on a four-week movie,” McGarry continued, adding that Miller has “an incredible storyline” for season 13, “and I can’t wait for all you guys to see it.”
Erin Krakow Calls Jaeda Lily Miller ‘Phenomenal’
Ironically, Miller’s very first Hallmark role was in 2014’s “A Cookie Cutter Christmas” starring Erin Krakow, who also plays Elizabeth, the main protagonist of “When Calls The Heart.” Elizabeth spent years as Allie’s teacher on the series, and could become Allie’s stepmom if Nathan ever gets up the courage to propose to Elizabeth.
Krakow, who happens to be married to Rosenbaum in real life, was part of the same Hallmark Christmas Experience panel as McGarry, and the “Suspenders Unbuttoned” podcast posted video (above) of her comments about working with Miller.
“She is just a phenomenal young actor and is such a joy to work with,” she says in the footage. “Her enthusiasm is through the roof.”
Miller also took on a gritty role in the July 2025 Lifetime movie “Before Your Father Finds Us,” co-starring Hallmark alum Alexa PenaVega. Other Hallmark Christmas movies you might spot Miller in (but looking much younger) include 2017’s “Christmas in Evergreen” and 2020’s “Christmas in Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing,” as well as 2016’s “A Heavenly Christmas” and 2015’s “Love Under the Stars.”
I have watched Jaeda since she was in Christmas in Evergreen. She was 8 but could act and loved watching her facial expressions. So glad that she is continuing with acting.
Jada has been in many other movies, She stared in a movie with Bethany Joy Lenz, The Christmas Secret.