KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Hallmark has announced exciting new additions to the cast of their upcoming movie, “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” This film will feature some beloved Kansas City Chiefs players, including Head Coach Andy Reid, guard Trey Smith, wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and defensive end George Karlaftis. According to a Hallmark press release, more Chiefs players will join the cast later.
The movie will also star Diedrich Bader (American Housewife, Office Space), Megyn Price (The Ranch, Rules of Engagement), Rich Riehle (Barry, Office Space), and Christine Ebersole (Bob Hearts Abishola, The Kominsky Method). Taylen Biggs, a Chiefs fan and red carpet correspondent, will make a special appearance.
“Diedrich Bader, Megyn Price, Richard Riehle, and Christine Ebersole are the perfect acting MVPs to round out the family of Chiefs superfans at the heart of our story,” said Samantha DiPippo, Senior Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Media. “After we announced the movie, fan excitement reached a fever pitch – with Coach Reid, Trey Smith, Mecole Hardman Jr., Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and George Karlaftis getting into the game with us, viewers will have even more to cheer about.”
Leading the production are Hunter King, who plays Alana Higman, and Tyler Hynes as Derrick. The film began production this month, with filming taking place in and around Kansas City, including the famous GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The movie is executive produced by NFL Films and Skydance Sports, alongside executive producer Dustin Rikert. David Wulf is producing, John Putch is directing, and Julie Sherman Wolfe wrote the script.
The plot centers around Alana Higman, who believes her family’s history as Chiefs superfans makes them a standout to easily win the “Fan of the Year” contest. Derrick Hynes, the Director of Fan Engagement, is tasked with evaluating how Alana’s family compares against the other two finalists. A spark occurs between the two as they begin to spend time together. When Alana’s grandfather’s vintage Chiefs hat goes missing, she doubts everything she believed about fate and questions her relationship with Derrick, unless Christmas magic can save the day.
This will be the first feature film role for Coach Reid, who, as a three-time Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Famer, is already well accomplished in his field. Reid has made forays into the entertainment sphere in recent years, starring in State Farm commercials alongside Chiefs quarterback and part-time insurance spokesman Patrick Mahomes.
Also joining the cast, which already included Hunter King, Tyler Hynes, and Ed Begley Jr., are Christine Ebersole, Megyn Price, Richard Riehle, and Diedrich Bader, a.k.a. former Bengals long snapper Clark Harris’ doppelganger. Production on the film is currently underway at locations in and around Kansas City, Missouri, including GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” is set to air this year during Hallmark’s 15th anniversary of Countdown to Christmas, right as the Chiefs are hoping to count down to a 10th straight playoff berth and third straight Super Bowl title. After their time on set, Reid and the Chiefs are set to return to football next week, as Kansas City rookies report July 16 and veterans show up July 20.
The Kansas City Chiefs have crossed paths with Hollywood quite a bit over the past calendar year. Now the NFL franchise is slated to be featured in a Hallmark Channel film called “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Production on the movie will begin in August. Tyler Hynes, Hunter King, and Ed Begley Jr. are slated for the cast, and the project will be filmed in Kansas City, Mo.
“With Hallmark and the Kansas City Chiefs both homegrown, rooted in values, tradition, and community, there is a special alchemy between these two iconic organizations,” Lisa Hamilton Daly, Executive Vice President of Programming, said in a statement while announcing the film. “By blending the warmth of Hallmark storytelling with the excitement of professional football, we are thrilled to give audiences a front-row seat to this community’s spirit, rich traditions, and passionate fans that define Kansas City, all wrapped up in the comforting and uplifting Hallmark way.”
In “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” Alana Higman (King) wants to enter her family into a contest that crowns the biggest “Fan of the Year.” Derrick (Hynes) serves as the Chiefs’ Director of Fan Engagement and is saddled with judging all three families to see which one is the biggest group of Chiefs fans. Once the two get a chance to spend time together, a connection forms between Alana and Derrick. She will have to decide how much she believes in fate after meeting Derrick while he judges the contest.
The announcement didn’t confirm which Chiefs players, if any, will appear in the film as themselves. Back in January, the Chiefs released a fake movie trailer spoofing Hallmark Christmas films. Hynes also starred in that trailer, albeit in a different role than what’s planned for the upcoming film. There will be scenes in the film that will be filmed at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Chiefs.
The Chiefs are making a movie in 2024, and Patrick Mahomes is not the headliner. Kansas City and Hallmark are collaborating with the NFL and Skydance Sports to make a holiday movie. Tyler Hynes, Hunter King, and Ed Begley Jr. will star in “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” The film is set to premiere on the Hallmark Channel this winter during the 15th annual Countdown to Christmas programming event.
“We are honored to partner with Hallmark on a project as unique as this,” Chiefs president Mark Donovan said in a statement. “As a club, we pride ourselves on exploring new ways to grow our brand, as well as connect with new audiences. This partnership unites two passionate fanbases and gives us an opportunity to show Chiefs Kingdom’s energy and tradition on one of the most-watched channels during the holiday season.”
The movie is set to begin production in July and film in Kansas City, Missouri, locations, including GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (the Chiefs’ home stadium).
“With Hallmark and the Kansas City Chiefs both homegrown, rooted in values, tradition, and community, there is a special alchemy between these two iconic organizations,” Hallmark chief brand officer Darren Abbott said in a statement. “By blending the warmth of Hallmark storytelling with the excitement of professional football, we are thrilled to give audiences a front-row seat to this community’s spirit, rich traditions, and passionate fans that define Kansas City, all wrapped up in the comforting and uplifting Hallmark way.”
While the Chiefs are on their quest to threepeat, Kansas City fans may see an appearance from a Lombardi Trophy or perhaps two later this winter.
Source: KCTV
