You know that feeling when you walk into a room and it just smells like expensive pine and history? That is basically the vibe of the Hallmark Channel’s 2024 hit, and honestly, the Christmas at the Biltmore cast is the only reason the movie works as well as it does. Most holiday flicks feel like they were shot in a generic studio lot in Vancouver, but this one actually filmed on-location at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. It makes a difference. You can’t fake that kind of scale.
The movie stars Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha. If you grew up in the 2000s, you know Lenz from One Tree Hill. She has this specific way of acting where she feels like a real person who just happened to wander into a Christmas card. Polaha, on the other hand, is basically the king of Hallmark. He’s been in everything from Mystery 101 to Wonder Woman 1984. Together, they play Lucy Hardgrove and Jack Huston, and the chemistry is actually palpable. It isn’t that forced, "we have to fall in love because it’s December 24th" energy. It feels earned.
Breaking down the Christmas at the Biltmore cast
Let’s get into the specifics of who else is in this thing because the supporting players really carry the weight of the "movie within a movie" plot.
Bethany Joy Lenz plays Lucy, a screenwriter who is struggling to get the script right for a remake of a (fictional) 1947 classic called His Merry Wife! She’s sent to the Biltmore to do research. Lenz brings a level of neurotic brilliance to the role. She isn't just a damsel in a scarf; she’s a professional trying to protect the integrity of a story.
Kristoffer Polaha plays Jack Huston. No, not that Jack Huston from the famous acting dynasty, but a character who is an actor himself. He’s the lead in the movie Lucy is writing. Polaha plays him with a mix of old-school Hollywood charm and modern-day sincerity. He’s great.
Then you have Mary Beth Peil. If she looks familiar, it’s because she was Grams on Dawson’s Creek and Jackie Florrick on The Good Wife. In this movie, she plays Margaret, a woman who has a very deep, personal connection to the original 1947 film. Her performance is the emotional anchor of the whole story. Without her, it’s just a movie about a big house. With her, it’s a movie about legacy and the things we leave behind.
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The Supporting Players
- Robert Picardo: Yes, the Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager. He plays Harold, and it’s a delight to see him in something so festive. He brings a certain gravitas to the screen that rounds out the ensemble.
- Jonathan Frakes: Another Star Trek legend (The Next Generation). He directed the movie. While he isn't technically "on camera" as a main cast member, his influence is everywhere. He knows how to frame a shot to make the Biltmore look even more massive than it already is.
- Annabelle Borke: She plays the younger version of Margaret in the 1947 flashbacks. The transition between the eras is handled surprisingly well for a TV movie.
Why the setting is basically a cast member
I’m not being hyperbolic when I say the Biltmore itself is a character. If you’ve never been to Asheville, the Biltmore is the largest privately owned house in the United States. It was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895. We’re talking 250 rooms.
In the film, the Christmas at the Biltmore cast spends a lot of time in the Library and the Banquet Hall. The Banquet Hall has a 70-foot ceiling. Imagine trying to act in that room. It’s intimidating. But the cast uses the space well. The production didn't just use the house as a backdrop; they integrated the history of the Vanderbilt family into the script.
There’s a specific plot point involving an hourglass that allows Lucy to travel back in time to the 1947 set of the original movie. This is where the movie shifts gears from a standard romance into a "time-slip" fantasy. It works because the 1940s-era cast members look like they actually belong in that period. The costumes are immaculate. No cheap polyester here.
The 1947 Flashback Cast
When Lucy slips through time, we meet the "original" stars of His Merry Wife! Colton Little plays Claude, the 1947 version of the leading man. He has that mid-Atlantic accent down perfectly. It’s a very specific style of acting that was popular back then—lots of pointing with cigars and standing with perfect posture.
The contrast between the modern-day Christmas at the Biltmore cast and the 1947 cast is one of the best parts of the film. You see the evolution of how people talk and interact. Lucy, with her 2024 sensibilities, sticks out like a sore thumb in the 18,000-square-foot library of the past.
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A bit of controversy and fan theories
Look, every movie has its critics. Some people felt the time-travel element was a bit "too much" for a Hallmark movie. Usually, these movies are grounded in reality—baking contests, failing bookstores, that sort of thing. Adding a magical hourglass was a risk.
But most fans loved it. The chemistry between Lenz and Polaha is so strong that they could have been traveling through a wormhole to Mars and people would have still watched. There was also a lot of chatter online about whether or not the movie would get a sequel. Given the ending, it feels like a one-and-done story, but in the world of holiday TV, never say never.
How they filmed around the tourists
One thing people often get wrong is thinking the Biltmore shut down for months to film this. Nope. The estate stayed open. The Christmas at the Biltmore cast had to work around thousands of tourists who were there for the real-life "Christmas at Biltmore" celebration.
Most of the filming happened at night or in cordoned-off areas. Kristoffer Polaha actually mentioned in an interview that they would be filming a romantic scene while a tour group was walking by just a few feet away. It takes a lot of focus to stay in character when someone is eating a snack and staring at you while wearing a fanny pack.
The Biltmore's floral team, led by Lizzie Borchers, actually assisted the production to ensure the decorations in the movie matched the historical accuracy of how the Vanderbilts would have decorated. That’s the kind of detail that makes this cast and crew stand out.
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Final thoughts on the ensemble
What makes the Christmas at the Biltmore cast special isn't just the big names like Lenz and Polaha. It's the fact that everyone involved seemed to respect the location. There is a sense of wonder in their eyes that doesn't feel scripted. When you see Lucy walk into that Banquet Hall for the first time, that’s a genuine reaction.
The movie manages to avoid the "corny" trap by leaning into the history. It’s a love letter to old Hollywood, the Gilded Age, and the idea that some places are just... magic.
If you are planning to dive into this movie for a rewatch or if you're seeing it for the first time, keep an eye on the background actors too. Many of them are locals from the Asheville area, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the scenes in the village.
Next Steps for Biltmore Fans:
- Check out the "Biltmore Christmas" behind-the-scenes specials. Hallmark usually releases these on their streaming app, and they show exactly how the cast handled the massive crowds during filming.
- Look up the filmography of Robert Picardo and Mary Beth Peil. If you only know them from this movie, you are missing out on some incredible career work in sci-fi and prestige drama.
- Visit the Biltmore in the off-season. If you want to see the rooms featured in the film without the 1947-style magic, January and February are the quietest times to go, though you'll miss the massive Christmas trees.
- Follow Kristoffer Polaha’s social media. He is known for doing "Polaha Chats" where he goes deep into the technical aspects of filming these movies and shares stories about his fellow cast members.
The movie isn't just a holiday distraction; it’s a well-crafted piece of escapism that relies heavily on a cast that knows exactly what kind of story they are telling. It’s cozy, it’s a little bit weird with the time travel, and it’s undeniably beautiful to look at.