Hallmark's new Christmas at Grand Valley may boast big names like Wonder Years alumni Danica McKellar and Dan Lauria, plus Cedar Cove star Brennan Elliott—but it's the incredibly charming set that's sure to steal the show.
"The lodge itself is the main character in the piece," Brennan tells CountryLiving.com of the fictional Grand Valley Lodge, which is actually a real-life rustic resort called the Killarney Mountain Lodge in Canada's Killarney, Ontario. "You felt like when you were in the lodge, you weren't doing a movie—you were actually living it."
All three cast members recalled fond memories from their time on location in Killarney as well as other Ontario towns Sudbury and Bracebridge for the film, set in the imaginary town of Grand Valley, Wyoming.
The lodge was particularly peaceful for Brennan, who was able to unplug after a busy year, while Danica and her son enjoyed hiking "The Crack" in Killarney Provincial Park and visiting a cranberry bog in Muskoka.
"In Bracebridge, there was the cutest little street that we shot on," Danica told us of scenes likely shot in the hamlet's historic downtown. "It was just so Christmasy and perfect for that. You feel like you're going back in time."
Dan Lauria agreed, adding that "the towns look like Lionel train sets—they're such great little towns … It was a really enjoyable shoot."
Ben Mark Holzberg/Crown Media
Dan did, however, have some trouble getting back on set after stepping out to get some chocolate for the kids in the cast, as a security guard apparently didn't recognize him.
"I said, 'I work on the show, I'm one of the actors.' When I said The Wonder Years, she said, 'You don't look like the dad on that!'" Dan laughed. "It was funny—she was very sweet."
In the film, struggling artist Kelly (Danica) returns to her hometown of Grand Valley, Wyoming, to visit her father, diner owner Frank (Dan), and help her cousin with the Kids' Christmas Camp at the Grand Valley Lodge.
Soon, sparks fly between Kelly and out-of-town widower Leo (Brennan), who turns out to be a corporate VIP considering shutting down the beloved lodge and replacing it with a shopping center.
VISIT KILLARNEY MOUNTAIN LODGE VISIT BRACEBRIDGE
Our Favorite Hallmark Christmas Books
Time for Me to Come Home
Blake Shelton's mom wrote this sweet story based on her son's Christmas song, and it was turned into a movie!
Christmas In Evergreen
Sometimes the movie comes before the book! It did in the case of Christmas In Evergreen, which now has a sequel.
Journey Back to Christmas
The Christmas Company
Now 16% Off
This fan favorite has yet to be turned into a movie, so you can use your imagination to bring the story to life.
Taysha Murtaugh was the Lifestyle Editor at CountryLiving.com.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLvUp6ursZyew6q6xmeaqKVfobansY6epa2doqmuqrrMnqWtZ5FngnaEl2lwb2eYlrmtucCromabmKe2tMDMmqpmmaRitLOtzZ1kr5mcobK6ecWio6ahnpx6rbvCmquip55k