Inside Hallmark Channel’s 25-Year Legacy Of Family and Feel-Good Stories

As Hallmark Channel celebrates 25 years of feel-good television, the network’s biggest stars gathered at New York City’s 92nd Street Y to celebrate the milestone. Pop Culture Planet was on the red carpet to chat with our favorite Hallstars about what makes the Hallmark family so special.

For Lacey Chabert, one of the most recognizable faces of the network, that sense of community is Hallmark’s greatest gift. “Gosh, it's given me such a community,” she shared. “I think the communities that are reflected in the movies are what it's become behind the scenes. All of us, we're close. We're real friends. It feels like a family.”

That sentiment was echoed by Hallstars across the carpet, with Victor Webster noting, “One thing you're going to hear consistently from everybody is family,” he said. “And it's not something we're supposed to say. It's something that we actually feel.”

That family extends beyond the actors and filmmakers who make the movies. “The entire team of people that make these movies, we've watched each other go through so many different chapters of our lives,” said Rachel Boston. “And so what you see on screen, you also feel so much in real life.”

For many of the network’s longtime stars, Hallmark has become a major part of their lives both personally and professionally. Wes Brown described the experience as “being the greatest series regular ever without having a series,” as he reflected on a 16-year career that started with a single Hallmark audition in 2010.

Barbara Niven compared the network to “the old Hollywood studio system,” explaining that Hallmark’s practice of bringing actors back movie after movie has allowed them to build long-lasting careers. “I've got my house, my daughter. I do what I love and I work with like my dearest friends and it could not be any better,” she said. “My first Hallmark movie was 23 years ago and I haven't stopped working since.”

The opportunities have extended behind the camera too. Ashley Williams noticed the lack of female directors and brought the issue directly to Hallmark, which led to the creation of the Make Her Mark directing program. The initiative trains women and then gives them their first directing shot with the help of a mentor. “It's not just about hiring women, it's about setting them up for success,” she explained. “[We’re] making sure that they're armed to go kill it as they should.”

Hallmark has been a place for Nikki DeLoach to grow creatively. She’s pitched movies, produced, written, and even finished the directing program. “The network has been very supportive of women behind the camera,” she agreed.

But the biggest impact of Hallmark’s movies is the connection they’re created with the fans. “[The audience] share their stories about what the movies and what the work means to them,” Chabert said. “Little do they know it means so much to us too. It just has given me such a just so much love and warmth in my life.”

Other Hallstars became emotional while reflecting on the roles these stories play in people’s lives. “I’m gonna cry,” said Autumn Reeser. “These movies help people heal. People come to these movies when they're in difficult moments in their life when they're carrying a lot. To be part of people's healing journey in that way and to be part of bringing joy and making people's lives better is such an unexpected gift.”

The sentiment goes both ways. “It does help people heal, but it also helps us heal,” Niall Matter explained, describing the opportunity to tell stories where “there’s a happily ever after” as its own kind of therapy. “It’s a nice world to live in. For me, Hallmark has given me this sense of unity and security. My family goes hand-in-hand with my timeline being with Hallmark. I had my first child the first year that I did my first Hallmark project and they've been taking care of me and my family ever since. I love delivering these movies because I feel like they matter to a lot of people.”

After 25 years, that shared connection may be what sets Hallmark Channel apart as it finds new and original ways to bring stars and fans together. “My mother is finally proud of me,” joked Tyler Hynes, before adding, “Thank you, Hallmark Channel.”

Party like you’re 25 all over again with original movies and romantic comedies airing on Hallmark Channel from August 1 to 15!