Hallmark is returning to one of its most beloved filming locations for another time-traveling romance.
The network announced a new Christmas movie set at North Carolina’s iconic Biltmore Estate, continuing the story established in 2023’s fan-favorite “A Biltmore Christmas.”
Production kicks off in January 2026, with the film slated to premiere during Hallmark Channel’s 17th annual Countdown to Christmas later that year.
Fans will recognize the magical hourglass plot device that made the original such a hit—and this time, it’s bringing two characters across multiple centuries.
New Stars, Familiar Magic
Holland Roden, known for her roles in “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story” and “Teen Wolf,” will star alongside Niall Matter from “We Met in December” and “This Time Each Year.”
The casting brings together two actors already familiar with Hallmark’s signature holiday storytelling style. Jonathan Frakes will also reprise his role as Winston from the original 2023 film, providing continuity between the two movies.
Director Dustin Rikert, who helmed “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story” and “The Christmas Quest,” takes the reins from a screenplay by Marcy Holland—the same writer behind “A Biltmore Christmas.”
Holland drew inspiration from actually visiting Biltmore Estate, and clearly, that firsthand experience translated into compelling storytelling that resonated with audiences.
A Love Story Across Time
The plot weaves together two timelines in classic Hallmark fashion—but with a twist.
On Christmas Eve 1895, 13-year-old Elizabeth encounters Michael, a fellow teenager caught trespassing by Biltmore House staff. She claims to know him, saving him from trouble, and the two share an instant connection while exploring the estate together.
Then Michael mysteriously vanishes.
Fast forward twenty years. Elizabeth returns to Biltmore for Christmas, this time accompanied by her fiancé. When a stranger asks her to dance, she’s stunned to discover it’s Michael—exactly as she remembers him.
Their reunion triggers another magical transformation. Elizabeth finds herself transported to modern times with Michael, who reveals he’s actually a present-day tourist who traveled to the past using an enchanted hourglass hidden in Biltmore’s library.
That hourglass served as the central plot device in the original 2023 movie, and its return suggests Hallmark is building a connected universe around Biltmore’s magical properties.
Expanding Behind the Velvet Ropes
While the 2023 film showcased stunning locations like the Conservatory, Winter Garden, Tapestry Gallery, Banquet Hall, Billiard Room and Library, the new movie promises even deeper access to America’s largest privately-owned home.
Viewers will explore previously unseen areas including:
- The Rooftop and Pergola – offering sweeping estate views
- Swimming Pool and Bowling Alley – showcasing the Vanderbilts’ luxurious lifestyle
- Breakfast Room and Main Kitchen – intimate spaces rarely featured in media
- Oak Sitting Room and Music Room – elegant gathering spaces
- Mrs. Vanderbilt’s Bedroom – a personal glimpse into family life
These locations will be closed to public tours during filming in January. Production will also utilize Asheville’s Fine Arts Theatre, Pack’s Tavern, and various downtown locations, bringing economic activity to an area still recovering from recent natural disasters.
Building on Instant Success
Michelle Vicary, head of programming at Hallmark Media, expressed enthusiasm about returning to Biltmore.
When A Biltmore Christmas premiered, it immediately became a fan favorite and an instant classic. Marcy Holland has created another captivating romance set in this unique and special place. We can’t wait for viewers to travel back to Biltmore and fall for this new love story as much as they did the first one.
The original film, starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha, was filmed entirely at Biltmore House—a rarity for made-for-TV movies, which typically rely on studio sets or multiple locations pieced together.
That authenticity clearly resonated with audiences, making Biltmore itself almost another character in the story.
Time Travel Romance Meets Historic Architecture
The combination of time-travel fantasy with real historic grandeur creates unique appeal. Biltmore Estate, completed in 1895—the exact year Elizabeth first meets Michael—represents Gilded Age opulence at its peak.
Built by George Washington Vanderbilt II, the 178,926-square-foot château boasts 250 rooms. Its scale and preservation make it perfect for cinematic storytelling that spans centuries.
The estate’s Christmas celebrations are already legendary, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Hallmark’s movies amplify that appeal, introducing Biltmore to audiences who might never have considered visiting North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
By scheduling the 2026 premiere during Countdown to Christmas—Hallmark’s highest-rated programming block—the network signals confidence that lightning will strike twice. Fans of the original will get answers about the mysterious hourglass, while new viewers can enjoy a standalone romance with deeper mythology for those paying attention.
Whether you’re drawn to period drama, modern romance, or magical realism, this Biltmore sequel promises to deliver all three—wrapped in garland and tied with a bow.