The Santa Summit
Girls Gone Hallmark is a weekly Hallmark movie review podcast, and “The Santa Summit” remains one of our favorite episodes to revisit. Megan and Wendy dig into this fan-favorite Christmas movie starring an excellent ensemble cast led by Hunter King and Benjamin Hollingsworth. Friends, this ain’t your Grandma’s Hallmark movie! Tune in to hear what Megan and Wendy thought of the movie fans still call one of Hallmark’s best, and stick around below for an update on where the cast has been since.
The Santa Summit is currently streaming on Hallmark+.
Listen to Girls Gone Hallmark’s Review of The Santa Summit
About “The Santa Summit”
Hunter King (Jordin) – Hunter’s stayed a Hallmark mainstay since “The Santa Summit,” signing a multi-picture deal with Hallmark Media and starring in “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story,” and 2025’s “A Make or Break Holiday” opposite Evan Roderick. She’s even said she’d love to do a “Santa Summit” sequel. Her biggest role before Hallmark was Summer Newman on The Bold and the Beautiful from 2012 through 2022.
Benjamin Hollingsworth (Liam) – Since this movie, Hollingsworth starred in “Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane” on Hallmark+ and stepped outside Hallmark for the theatrical “The Christmas Ring” opposite Kelsey Grammer. He’s also known for a lead role across all five seasons of Virgin River and 47 episodes of the hospital drama Code Black.
Amy Groening (Ava) – Amy’s kept a busy Hallmark schedule, most recently starring in “Because of Cupid” (Feb 2026) and earning a 2025 Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Lead Performer for “‘Twas the Date Before Christmas.” She’s also been in Pumpkin Everything, We Wish You a Married Christmas, Snowkissed, Project Christmas Wish, and Miracle in Bethlehem, PA.
Stephanie Sy (Stella) – Stephanie has appeared in Hallmark’s A Winter Getaway, Snowkissed, Project Christmas Wish, Christmas by Starlight, On the 12th Date of Christmas, and Sweet Autumn.
Dan De Jaeger (Mac) – Dan’s other Hallmark roles include Holiday Hotline, Hannukah on Rye, Pumpkin Everything, and A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe.
Rodrigo Beilfus (Freddie) – Rodrigo’s other credits include Christmas by Starlight and Snowkissed, both alongside onscreen crush Stephanie Sy.
Adam Hurtig (Ben) – Adam played British aristocrat Spencer Braxton in a 2025 Hallmark Christmas movie, and appeared in “Christmas Under Construction” alongside Daniel Lissing and Jessica Lowndes for Hallmark’s July 2026 Christmas in July lineup. He’s also been in Project Christmas Wish, A Shoe Addict’s Christmas, and Journey Back to Christmas.
Erik Athavale (Dasher) – Erik went on to steal scenes as Roger, the holiday hotline boss, in “Holiday Hotline” – a movie that became cable’s most-watched primetime program with 2.3M viewers.
Directed by: Jeff Beesley – Jeff has directed nearly 20 Hallmark movies at this point, including 2025 titles and the upcoming “Double Con Christmas” starring Victor Webster and Barbara Niven for the 2026 Countdown to Christmas.
Written by: Russell Hainline – Russell’s writing credits have expanded well beyond “The Santa Summit” and “In Merry Measure,” now including “Three Wiser Men and a Boy,” “The Santa Class,” “Christmas Under the Lights,” “Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper!,” “Three Wisest Men,” Netflix’s “Hot Frosty,” and the upcoming “The Christmas Loop” with Tyler Hynes.
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Hey there! We’re Girls Gone Hallmark! Megan’s a longtime Hallmark movie fan, while Wendy – well, she used to be a Hallmark hater. Now, we’ve teamed up to share our (often very different!) takes on these films. Get ready for some lively, fun-filled conversations!
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