What We Know About Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas
Hallmark Channel is leveling up the holiday lineup this year with Twelve Dates ’Til Christmas, a brand-new scripted series premiering Friday, December 5, 2025 at 8/7c. It’s a six-episode holiday romantic dramedy, following Kate – a talented textile designer living in a charming English neighborhood – whose friends surprise her by signing her up for a holiday matchmaking program.
Twelve Dates ’Til Christmas premieres on December 5 with back-to-back episodes, kicking off a three-week event that delivers all six episodes before Christmas. Each episode will also be available to stream the following day on Hallmark+.
And because this is Hallmark in 2025, the dates aren’t the punchline – they’re the doorway. The series blends romance, family tension, personal growth, and holiday sparkle with the same kind of layered, character-forward storytelling fans have fallen in love with in shows like The Way Home and Mistletoe Murders.
It’s heartfelt, modern, and grounded – the kind of holiday series that proves Hallmark can absolutely deliver emotional depth and sharp writing right alongside the cozy seasonal charm.
The Story Behind the Hallmark Series: Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas
Kate’s life looks idyllic from the outside: creative career, long-standing friendships, and her dad living just next door. But underneath the twinkle lights, things are a little… complicated. Her dad is recovering from an accident, her personal life feels stuck, and her confidence could use a holiday miracle.
Enter: “The Twelve Dates,” the matchmaking program her friends lovingly ambush her with. Each date nudges Kate in a new direction – some charming, some hilariously cringe, and some unexpectedly meaningful. But the best parts of the story happen in between the dates, as Kate navigates family wounds, new connections, and the challenge of figuring out who she wants to be as her life begins to shift.
Reviews for Hallmark’s Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas
Girls Gone Hallmark will be reviewing the entire series, with new episode discussions dropping every Monday in your podcast feed – starting on December 8th.
Sneak Peek of the New Hallmark Series
Who Stars in Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas on Hallmark Channel?
Let’s talk about this cast, because WOW:
- Mae Whitman stars as Kate, bringing an impressive and wide-ranging career to the role. On television, she’s known for Parenthood, Good Girls, and even her early work on Chicago Hope. Her film credits include Hope Floats, One Fine Day, and her very first movie role in 1994’s When a Man Loves a Woman. She’s also built an incredible career in voice acting, lending her talent to major animated series like Family Guy, DC Super Hero Girls, and many more.
- Julian Morris co-stars as best friend Callum. This project marks his 43rd acting credit and was last seen on Hallmark in The Presence of Love from 2022. Julian is probably best known for his role as Wren on the series Pretty Little Liars.
- Lucy Eaton co-stars as Kate’s best friend, Laura. She has eight acting credits, including the British meta-comedy Staged, where she appeared across all three seasons.
- Eimear Morrissey plays Drew, the matchmaker. She has 19 acting credits, with one of her most recognizable roles coming from the Irish comedy series Damo & Ivor. This marks her first Hallmark project.
- Zephani Idoko plays Sarah. With 11 acting credits, she’s appeared in the reboot of Gossip Girl, as well as a few Lifetime-adjacent type movies.
- Nathaniel Parker plays Kate’s dad, Mac. Nathaniel Parker is a classically trained English actor best known for his lead role in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and his award-winning stage work, including an Olivier Award for his performance in Wolf Hall.
- Jane Seymour plays Evelyn. She’s a Golden Globe and Emmy winner known for Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, an array of films, and a long list of fan-favorite TV roles. This marks her 155th acting credit.
- Mary McDonnell plays Kate’s mom, Delilah. She’s a two-time Oscar nominee known for her roles in Dances with Wolves, Passion Fish, Battlestar Galactica, and Major Crimes. This is her 58th acting credit.
- Toby Sandeman plays Richard. This is Toby’s first time on Hallmark but has been seen on the series Running Point and The Game.
Where and When Was Twelve Dates ‘Til Christmas Filmed?
Even though the story takes place in England, filming took place primarily in Ireland, with several scenes shot in London to capture authentic texture and architecture.
Entertainment Now reported that the series was filmed in the spring of 2025.
Is Twelve Dates ’Til Christmas Based on a Book?
It is! Twelve Dates ’Til Christmas is adapted from Jenny Bayliss’s hit 2020 novel (affiliate link), originally published as The Twelve Dates of Christmas. The book earned a loyal following for its warmth, wit, and refreshingly modern spin on holiday romance.
Erin Rodman developed the series for TV, and she’s no stranger to Hallmark storytelling. Her credits include Christmas Class Reunion, The Christmas House, The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls, and The Christmas Bow.
Why You Should Watch This New Hallmark Series
We’ll say it plainly: Twelve Dates ’Til Christmas is exactly the kind of smart, character-driven holiday storytelling we want more of from Hallmark.
Here’s why it’s a must-watch:
- Mae Whitman is exactly as good as you’d expect – which is to say, she’s wonderful and makes the whole series feel richer.
- The writing is modern, witty, and emotionally layered.
- The relationships feel real – not rushed, not forced.
- It has the emotional sophistication of Hallmark’s biggest recent hits (The Way Home, Mistletoe Murders).
- The production value is gorgeous, and the music? Stunning.
We’ve seen the first two episodes, and trust us: this series has heart. It has humor. It has depth. It has holiday sparkle — but shaped into something richer, fresher, and incredibly promising.
If Hallmark is searching for what its next era should be, this series makes it pretty obvious. More of this, please.
We’re Your New Hallmark Besties
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!
Check out the library of Hallmark movies we’ve reviewed!
