A Biltmore Christmas

A Biltmore Christmas is a 2023 American holiday romance film directed by John Putch and written by Marcy Holland. The film stars Bethany Joy Lenz, Kristoffer Polaha, and Jonathan Frakes. It premiered on November 26, 2023, on the Hallmark Channel as part of their “Countdown to Christmas” lineup..
==Plot==
Lucy Hardgrove (Bethany Joy Lenz) is a screenwriter hired to pen the script for a remake of the beloved holiday movie His Merry Wife! which was originally filmed in 1947 at the historic Biltmore Estate. Her boss, Mr. Balaban (Tommy Cresswell), insists on keeping the original film’s happy ending, which Lucy feels is outdated and not relevant to contemporary audiences. To help Lucy understand the essence of the original film and its timeless appeal, Mr. Balaban sends her to the Biltmore Estate. He believes that experiencing the estate, especially during the Christmas season, will inspire Lucy and help her appreciate the magic and charm that made the original film a classic.
Sent to the Biltmore Estate for research, Lucy discovers an enchanted hourglass that transports her back to the 1947 set of the film. There, she meets Jack Huston (Kristoffer Polaha), one of the film’s stars, and they develop a close relationship. Lucy must navigate the challenges of altering the past to ensure the future remains intact while hiding her true identity and the fact that she is from the future.
Lucy discovers that the original ending of His Merry Wife! was changed from a bittersweet conclusion to a more conventional happy ending. Determined to understand why, she delves into the production’s history, uncovering tensions and creative differences among the cast and crew. Along the way, Lucy and Jack develop deeper feelings for each other.
As Christmas Eve approaches, Lucy realizes she must return to her own time. She uses the hourglass one last time, but not before leaving a lasting impact on Jack and the film’s production. Back in the present, Lucy completes her screenplay with a newfound appreciation for the magic of Christmas and the timeless power of love. The film concludes with a heartwarming scene where Lucy and Jack are reunited, suggesting that true love can transcend time.
==Cast==
* Bethany Joy Lenz as Lucy Hardgrove
* Kristoffer Polaha as Jack Huston
* Jonathan Frakes as Winston
* David Alexander as William West
* Tommy Cresswell as Michael Balaban
* Mary Beth McDonough as Director
* A.K. Benninghofen as Margaret
* Annabelle Borke as Ava Hayward
* Colton Little as Claude Lancaster
* Robert Picardo as Harold Balaban
==Production==
The film was shot over 15 days 
 on location at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. This marked the first time the estate itself served as the setting for a film. The Biltmore House, a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, provided a picturesque backdrop for the movie.
==Reception==
Upon its release, A Biltmore Christmas received positive reviews for its charming storyline and the performances of the lead actors. The film was praised for its nostalgic appeal and the beautiful setting of the Biltmore Estate . Tommy Fields was nominated for Best Score for a TV/Stream movie in HMMA 2023 .
==Trivia==
The film was shot during January, allowing the production to take advantage of the estate’s holiday decorations, adding to the film’s festive atmosphere
Category:American romance films
Category:2023 films
Category:English language