Let's be real for a second. We’ve all seen the "mistaken identity" trope a thousand times in holiday movies. It’s a Hallmark staple. But A Not So Royal Christmas actually managed to catch a lot of people off guard when it premiered, mostly because the chemistry between the leads felt... actually genuine? Usually, these movies rely on the snowy scenery or the vague threat of a corporate takeover to keep you watching. This one relied on the people. If you're looking into the A Not So Royal Christmas cast, you're probably trying to figure out where you’ve seen that one guy before, or if the lead actress is the same one from that other movie about a bakery. She probably is.
The movie follows a journalist named Charlotte who heads to the Kingdom of Nordin to interview a very private Count. Naturally, there's a mix-up. The "Count" isn't the Count; he's a groundskeeper named Adam who’s been roped into a massive lie to protect the town’s reputation. It’s messy. It’s goofy. But the actors sell it.
Brooke D'Orsay: The Queen of Hallmark
If Brooke D'Orsay looks familiar, it’s because she is essentially the face of modern TV holiday movies. She plays Charlotte in this flick. Brooke has this specific kind of energy—very "girl next door" but with a sharp comedic timing that most people overlook.
She didn't just spawn into existence for the Hallmark Channel, though.
She was Paige Collins on Royal Pains for years. Remember that show? The high-end concierge medicine drama set in the Hamptons? She was great in it. She’s also been in Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory. In A Not So Royal Christmas, she plays a reporter who is desperate for a big break. Honestly, she brings a level of sincerity to Charlotte that makes you ignore the fact that a professional journalist probably should have checked a passport or something before starting the interview.
- Brooke D'Orsay's Career Highlights:
- Royal Pains (Paige Collins)
- 6teen (Caitlin Cooke - yes, she did voice acting!)
- Christmas in Love
- A Godwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love
She has this way of making the most "written-by-a-bot" dialogue sound like something a real human would say. That’s a skill.
Will Kemp: More Than Just a Groundskeeper
Then you have Will Kemp. He plays Adam, the guy pretending to be the Count.
Will Kemp is a fascinating dude because he’s a legit dancer. He’s a professional ballet dancer who trained at the Royal Ballet School. When you watch him move on screen, even when he’s just walking through a fake European castle, you can see that posture. It’s unmistakable.
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He’s been in huge projects like Van Helsing (he was the werewolf, fun fact) and Reign, where he played Lord Darnley. In the world of holiday movies, he often plays the "stuffy but secretly sweet" guy. Here, he gets to be a bit more down-to-earth. He’s a groundskeeper. He likes the land. He’s lying to a beautiful woman, sure, but he feels bad about it! That’s the Will Kemp brand.
His performance is the anchor. If he didn't feel like a guy who genuinely cared about his town, the whole "stolen identity" plot would feel a bit too much like a felony and a bit less like a romance.
Supporting Cast: The Glue of Nordin
A movie like this lives or dies by its supporting players.
Roy Lewis plays Phillip. He’s the one who basically engineers the whole deception. Lewis is a veteran of the stage and screen, and he brings that "harried butler/advisor" energy that these movies require. Without Phillip, there is no movie. He’s the one trying to keep the lights on in a kingdom that is clearly struggling.
Then there is Fuad Ahmed who plays the actual Count. He’s not in it as much for obvious reasons, but he plays the "reclusive royal" perfectly. Ahmed has been in things like Shadowhunters and The Expanse. It’s always funny seeing actors who have done heavy sci-fi or grit-filled dramas show up in a movie where the biggest conflict is whether a festival will have enough garland.
Why This Specific Cast Works
Most people think these movies are interchangeable. Sometimes they are. But the A Not So Royal Christmas cast works because of the "meta" layers.
You have Brooke D'Orsay, who the audience trusts as a Hallmark veteran. Then you have Will Kemp, who brings a level of physical grace and "prestige" acting background to a role that could have been very flat.
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The chemistry isn't forced. It’s a slow burn.
The movie was filmed primarily in Ontario, Canada—specifically around Almonte and Ottawa. If you look closely at the backgrounds, you’ll see some familiar Canadian landmarks masquerading as the fictional "Kingdom of Nordin." The cast spent a lot of time in the cold, and you can see it in their faces; those red noses aren't always makeup.
Addressing the "Royalty" Misconception
Here is what most people get wrong about this movie: they think it’s a "royal" movie.
It’s actually an anti-royal movie.
The whole point is that the "royal" stuff is a facade. Adam isn't a prince. He’s a regular guy. The movie spends more time deconstructing the idea of royalty than celebrating it. The cast has to play two versions of themselves—the "fake" version for the cameras and the "real" version when they’re alone. It’s surprisingly complex for a movie you watch while drinking hot cocoa and scrolling on your phone.
Behind the Scenes and Direction
Jonathan Wright directed this one. He’s directed a ton of these, including Cross Country Christmas and Christmas by Design. He knows how to frame a shot to make a Canadian town look like a European village.
The script was handled by writers who clearly understood that Brooke and Will could carry the emotional weight. They didn't overcomplicate the plot. They let the actors talk. Honestly, some of the best scenes are just the two of them walking through the grounds of the "estate," talking about life and expectations.
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It feels human.
What to Watch Next if You Loved the Cast
If you’ve finished A Not So Royal Christmas and you’re craving more from these specific actors, you have options.
For Will Kemp, go watch The Christmas Waltz. It utilizes his actual dancing skills, and it’s arguably one of the most visually beautiful movies in this genre. He stars alongside Lacey Chabert, and the choreography is legit.
For Brooke D'Orsay, A Dickens of a Holiday! is a great pick. It shows off her ability to play a character who is a bit more type-A and stressed out, which contrasts well with the softer Charlotte.
Practical Next Steps for Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the world of this movie or these actors, here is what you should actually do:
- Check the Hallmark Movie Checklist App: This sounds cheesy, but it’s the only way to track Brooke D'Orsay’s massive filmography without losing your mind.
- Look up Almonte, Ontario: If you’re a travel nerd, look up the filming locations. Almonte is basically the "Hollywood North" for Christmas movies. You can actually visit the shops seen in the background.
- Follow Will Kemp on Social Media: He often posts behind-the-scenes clips of his dance rehearsals and filming locations, which gives you a much better appreciation for the work that goes into these "simple" movies.
- Verify Air Times: These movies cycle constantly during the holidays. Check the official Hallmark Channel schedule for "A Not So Royal Christmas" reruns, as they often pair it with other Will Kemp movies for themed marathons.
This movie isn't going to win an Oscar, and it doesn't want to. It wants to give you 90 minutes of comfort. Because of the specific talent in the A Not So Royal Christmas cast, it actually succeeds where others fail.