Ever get that feeling of deja vu while watching a Hallmark movie? You’re sitting there with a mug of cocoa, and suddenly you’re squinting at the screen, wondering why the lead actor looks so familiar. It happens a lot. Especially with the It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas cast. This 2019 holiday flick—originally titled Battle of the Christmas Movie Stars during production—features some of the heavy hitters of the "Countdown to Christmas" world.
It’s basically a clash of the titans, but with more tinsel.
The plot is classic Hallmark. You have two rival mayors, Liam and Sarah, who are competing to see which of their towns can throw the better Christmas celebration. It’s a New Hampshire showdown. One town is East Riverton, the other is West Riverton. Naturally, there’s a trophy on the line. And, because it’s a romance, there’s a lot of bickering that eventually turns into... well, you know how it goes.
Honestly, the chemistry works because the actors aren't rookies. They've done this before.
Tricia Helfer as Sarah Murphy
If you’re a sci-fi fan, seeing Tricia Helfer in a puffy winter coat might feel a little weird. Most people know her as Number Six from Battlestar Galactica. She was a literal Cylon. Then she played Charlotte (Lucifer's mom) in Lucifer. So, seeing her play Sarah Murphy, a small-town mayor obsessed with winning a Christmas spirit competition, is a fun 180-degree turn.
Helfer brings a certain "type-A" energy to Sarah. She’s not just a generic "Christmas girl." She’s competitive. She’s driven. She wants to beat Liam. But she also has that classic Hallmark warmth that keeps the character from being too icy. It’s a balance. Helfer has spoken in interviews about how much she enjoys the change of pace that holiday movies provide. No space battles. No demons. Just snow and lights.
Eric Mabius as Liam Clark
Then there’s Eric Mabius.
Mabius is basically Hallmark royalty at this point. If you haven't seen him in Signed, Sealed, Delivered, you’re missing out on a massive part of the network's lore. He plays Oliver O’Toole in that series, and he brings that same intellectual, slightly formal charm to Liam Clark in this movie.
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In this film, Liam is the mayor of West Riverton. He’s the rival. He’s the one Sarah is trying to outdo. Mabius has this way of playing characters who are incredibly earnest but also a bit stubborn. It makes the back-and-forth between him and Helfer feel earned. They aren't just falling in love because the script says so; they’re falling in love because they actually challenge each other.
The Supporting Players: Who Else Is in the Mix?
A movie like this isn't just about the leads. The It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas cast is rounded out by some solid character actors who fill out the two rival towns.
Aliza Vellani plays Kendall. You might recognize her from Sweet Tooth or Upload. She brings a grounded, modern energy to the film. Then you have Michael Kopsa as James. Kopsa was a veteran of the Vancouver acting scene—sadly, he passed away in 2022—and his presence in these movies always added a layer of gravitas. He was one of those guys who appeared in everything from The X-Files to Stargate SG-1.
Peter Benson is another familiar face. He’s not just an actor; he’s a director in the Hallmark world too. He plays a supporting role here, but his knowledge of the genre’s tropes usually helps elevate the scenes he's in.
There's also Raf Rogers as Nick and Colleen Winton as Helen. These actors are the glue. They play the townspeople, the assistants, and the family members who nudge the protagonists together. Without them, the movie would just be two mayors shouting about pine needles in an empty room.
Why the Cast Matters More Than the Plot
Let’s be real. We don't watch these movies for groundbreaking plot twists. We watch them for the vibes.
The success of the It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas cast relies on the "comfort food" factor. When you see Eric Mabius, you know you’re in safe hands. When you see Tricia Helfer, you know the acting is going to be a step above the usual daytime soap level.
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There's a reason these actors keep coming back. The production cycle for these movies is intense—usually about 15 to 20 days of filming—and they are often shot in the middle of summer. Imagine wearing a heavy wool parka and a scarf when it’s 85 degrees outside in British Columbia. It takes a specific kind of professional to make that look cozy rather than miserable.
The Mystery of the Filming Locations
While the movie is set in New Hampshire, it wasn't filmed there. Most of these films are shot in Canada because of the tax credits and the "look" of the small towns.
For this specific movie, a lot of the charm comes from the scenery in Abbotsford and Mission, British Columbia. The cast has to interact with a lot of "fake" snow—usually made of paper or foam—and the actors often joke about how it gets everywhere. If you look closely at some of the wide shots, you can see the effort the production design team put into making two distinct "towns" out of different blocks of the same Canadian suburbs.
Addressing the Common Mix-ups
A lot of people get this movie confused with others because the title is so generic. "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" is a song first, a feeling second, and a movie title third.
Sometimes people search for this cast and actually want the 2022 movie It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas... oh wait, that doesn't exist. There are just so many similarly named films like Christmas at the Plaza or Christmas in Evergreen.
What sets this one apart is the "Battle of the Towns" hook. It’s less about a high-powered executive moving back home and more about municipal rivalry. It’s Parks and Rec but with 100% more ornaments.
The Legacy of the Film
Is it a masterpiece? No. But it’s a staple.
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The movie continues to air every year because the leads have staying power. Tricia Helfer’s transition into the Hallmark world was a big deal for fans of genre TV. It proved that you can go from being a robotic world-killer to a Christmas-loving mayor without losing your fan base.
For Eric Mabius, it solidified his spot as the "thinking man's" Hallmark lead. He doesn't play the goofy guy; he plays the guy who reads the town charter and cares about tradition. People like that.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re planning a rewatch, pay attention to the background actors. Many of them are locals from the BC area who appear in dozens of these movies.
Also, look at the "Christmas Village" sets. The competition aspect of the movie means the set decoration is dialed up to eleven. There are more lights per square inch in this movie than in almost any other production from that year.
Next Steps for Holiday Movie Fans:
- Check the Schedule: Use the Hallmark "Movie Checklist" app. It’s actually surprisingly useful for tracking when the It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas cast will be back on your screen.
- Follow the Leads: Eric Mabius is fairly active on social media and often shares behind-the-scenes tidbits about his projects. Tricia Helfer also shares updates on her animal rescue work, which is a nice "real life" contrast to her Hallmark characters.
- Explore the "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" Series: If you liked Mabius here, that series is his best work. It has a massive cult following called "POstables."
- Watch for "Easter Eggs": Hallmark often puts small nods to other movies in the background—keep an eye out for posters or shop names that reference previous hits.
The movie works because it doesn't try to be anything other than what it is: a cozy, competitive, snow-covered romance led by professionals who know exactly how to deliver a "happily ever after."