Hallmark's Mystic Christmas Set Visit: Cast Reveals Christmas Secrets and Magical Marine Encounters!
There is nothing more magical than a Hallmark Christmas movie and, back in May, Pop Culture Planet’s Kristen Maldonado was invited to the set of Hallmark Channel’s Mystic Christmas out in Mystic, Connecticut. The film centers around Juniper (Jessy Schram), a woman who reconnects with Sawyer (Chandler Massey), the owner of a pizza shop, while working at a rehabilitation center and aquarium during the holidays. Maldonado spoke with the cast of the holiday film and got a look at what goes on behind-the-scenes of a classic Hallmark Christmas movie.
The most surprising thing you’ll learn? They make these Christmas movies in only 2-3 weeks! “Pretty much,” actor William R. Moses told me, when asked if it’s always such a quick turnaround. “It becomes less and less [weeks] because they want […] more of them, but, yeah, usually [takes] about two and a half weeks to make one of these [movies].
They were also filming this movie back in May when it was pretty hot out. So how does the cast stay in the Christmas spirit? “I definitely have my Christmas playlist going. It helps me get into character,” shared Schram. “‘Dominick the Donkey’ is prevalent in this movie, so that is the starting [point].”
Another way they keep that holiday magic is the power of the crew. “The wardrobe and the set decoration and the props, they take care of so much of it for us. We’re concerned with the storyline and our lines, but when you step on set and you see Christmas trees and you’re wearing a sweater and coat in the middle of May, you’re like, ‘Ah, of course,’” explained actress Patti Murin, standing with me in front of realistic-looking fake snow. Schram added: “We’ve got lots of layers and jewel tones. The world is set for us and we just need to step into it honestly.”
A big focus of Mystic Christmas is the beautiful Mystic Aquarium, known for its seal rehabilitation program, where they filmed with the actual marine life. “We did not have any CGI seals. They were on their marks on the day. That being said, we had one star named Cork who beat out Pearl for the role, just by the enthusiasm alone. We have real seals, we have real trainers on the side. Everything about the aquarium and how they deal with their animals [is real]. And everyone in the aquarium too is animals that cannot be released again. They're in captivity because they were too injured or they were born in captivity, so they give them the best life they can,” Schram shared. “We were very lucky to have our harbor seals be there on the day. There was no CGI in any of this. Even one named Bristle popped out of the water in the middle of the scene the other night. It was stark night out and she decided she was going to be part of the scene, so we acted with her and it was absolutely lovely.”
A highlight? “I got to high five a sea lion!” enthused Murin. “It was just amazing to be there and to be at the aquarium and hear all the volunteers and all the knowledge that they have to share. They just all know so much and they're so passionate about what they do. It was a real honor to be able to be there and be able to wander about freely in spaces that the general public doesn't get to see. […] It's really a fantastic facility.”
There were several reunions on set, as Schram and Moses played father and daughter in Hallmark’s Jane Doe: Vanishing Act, while Murin knew the family of Delaney Quinn, who plays her daughter, very well thanks to starring alongside her sister in Frozen on Broadway. “It feels like family,” agreed Schram and Moses, with Murin saying that connection make it “that much easier to play [Delaney’s] mom.”
Those community connections are the most important when it comes to making a great Christmas movie. “You know what I love the most about Hallmark Christmas movies? They all take place in a community. They all have those super fun, quirky characters that really support the main storyline. You have the shop owners and the neighbors and all the people that pop in and out and they’re the ones that really make the magic work,” said Murin. “That’s one of their secrets. They understand that it has to be about the community at large and making it a town that you would want to move to and live in for the rest of your life.”
While filming Mystic Christmas, another famous movie set in Mystic celebrated its 35th anniversary. Yup, Mystic Pizza, which also starred William R. Moses! “It was wonderful in 1987, it’s equally as wonderful now,” said Moses about returning to the quaint town. When asked about any potential Easter eggs to the film, he shared, “Sawyer owns a pizza parlor, so I suppose that there might be some kind of relationship, but, no, there’s no direct correlation between them other than some of the [same filming] locations.”
Schram added: “It’s a movie with a lot of heart. It’s a love story to Mystic. It’s a love story to the community.”
Catch Mystic Christmas airing Saturday, October 28 on Hallmark Channel. See more of what goes on behind-the-scenes of a Hallmark Christmas movie, below:
