If you’ve spent any time scrolling through the Hallmark Channel during the "Countdown to Christmas" frenzy, you know the vibe. It’s snowy. Everyone wears suspiciously clean wool coats. There is always a high-stakes bake-off or a town festival in peril. But every once in a while, a movie sticks because the chemistry actually works. A Merry Christmas Match is one of those rare gems. It’s not just about the plot—which, let's be real, is pretty standard Hallmark fare—it’s really about the A Merry Christmas Match cast and how they managed to make a small-town antique shop feel like the center of the universe.
Honestly, the 2019 film works because it doesn't try too hard. It follows Corey, a woman living in a quaint village who gave up her dreams of being a theater director to run her late father’s antique shop. Then Ryder walks in. He’s a Los Angeles guy, he’s handsome, and he’s the catalyst for Corey wondering if she settled for a life that’s "fine" instead of "great."
People still search for this cast years later. Why? Because the leads have actual careers outside of the Christmas movie circuit, and the supporting players are familiar faces that make you go, "Wait, where do I know them from?"
Ashley Newbrough: More Than Just a Small-Town Shop Owner
Ashley Newbrough carries this movie. She plays Corey Calvin with a mix of genuine warmth and a sort of underlying sadness that you don't always see in these "cheery" films. Newbrough isn't a stranger to TV. If you were a fan of the CW back in the day, you definitely remember her as Sage Baker in Privileged. She held her own against Lucy Hale and JoAnna Garcia Swisher in that show, which gave her a certain edge she brought to Hallmark.
In A Merry Christmas Match, she has to play someone who is stuck. It’s a relatable feeling. You've got these big city dreams, but you have a duty to your family. Newbrough sells that conflict perfectly. She makes you believe that she really knows how to price a vintage clock while secretly pining for a Broadway stage.
What’s interesting about her career is that she’s become a bit of a staple for Hallmark and Lifetime. You’ve likely seen her in Love Under the Stars or Small Town Christmas. She has this "girl next door" energy but with a sharp intelligence that keeps the dialogue from feeling too sugary. It’s her performance that grounds the movie when the plot starts getting a little too "happily ever after."
Kyle Dean Massey: A Broadway Star in a Christmas Movie?
Then we have Ryder, played by Kyle Dean Massey. This was a smart casting choice. Usually, the "guy from the big city" in these movies is played by a generic handsome actor who looks like he was grown in a lab for flannel-wearing roles. But Massey is a legit Broadway heavy hitter.
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If you’re a theater nerd, you know him. He’s been in Wicked (he played Fiyero), Next to Normal, and Pippin. He also had a significant run on the show Nashville as Kevin Bicks.
Why the Broadway connection matters
Because the movie revolves around theater and directing, having an actual stage veteran like Massey adds a layer of authenticity. When his character talks about the arts, he doesn't sound like he's reading a script he doesn't understand. He has this natural, relaxed charisma. He doesn't play Ryder as a "slick city jerk" who needs to be taught the meaning of Christmas. Instead, he’s just a guy who sees Corey’s talent and wants her to see it, too.
The chemistry between Newbrough and Massey is the engine here. They don't have that forced, stiff interaction you sometimes see when two actors are thrown together for a 15-day shoot. They actually seem like they enjoy talking to each other.
The Supporting Players: Familiar Faces You Can’t Quite Place
A movie like this is only as good as its secondary characters. They provide the "cozy" factor.
- Lindsey Gort as Jillian: Jillian is the best friend we all want. Gort is fantastic. You might recognize her as a young Samantha Jones from The Carrie Diaries. She brings a high-energy, supportive vibe that balances out Corey's more reserved nature.
- John Prescott as David: Every Hallmark movie needs the "other guy" or the solid friend who anchors the protagonist to their current life. Prescott plays the role of the local guy perfectly—sturdy, reliable, and just a little bit of a reminder of what Corey might be leaving behind.
- Alice Krige as Dorothy: This is the "prestige" casting. Alice Krige is a legend. She was the Borg Queen in Star Trek: First Contact! Seeing her go from a sci-fi villain to a sweet, maternal figure in a Christmas movie is a testament to her range. She plays Corey’s mom with a quiet grace, representing the emotional weight of the antique shop and the memory of Corey's father.
Why People Keep Coming Back to This Specific Cast
Let’s be real for a second. There are roughly five thousand Christmas movies released every year. Most of them are forgettable. But the A Merry Christmas Match cast stands out because they feel like a real community.
There’s a scene where they’re all together, and it doesn't feel like a set. It feels like a group of people who have lived in this town for twenty years. That’s hard to fake.
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The Direction and Atmosphere
The movie was directed by Casey Sherman, who clearly understood that the "match" in the title wasn't just about the romance. It was about matching Corey’s past with her future. The casting of the younger versions of the characters in flashbacks also helps build that world.
The "Secret Sauce" of the Production
The film was actually shot in some beautiful locations that helped the cast get into character. While many Hallmark movies are filmed in the heat of a Canadian summer with fake soap-bubble snow, this one utilized the mountainous backdrop of Idyllwild, California.
If you've ever been to Idyllwild, you know it has that exact "hidden village" feel. The cast has mentioned in interviews that the actual cold air and the smell of real pine trees helped the performances. It’s easier to act "cozy" when you’re actually chilly.
A Quick Look at the Cast Careers Post-Movie
Since the film's release in 2019, the cast hasn't slowed down:
- Ashley Newbrough continues to dominate the TV movie landscape.
- Kyle Dean Massey has focused more on his personal life (he and husband Taylor Frey welcomed children via surrogacy) while staying active in the theater community.
- Lindsey Gort moved on to shows like All Rise, proving she’s one of the most versatile character actresses working right now.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Movie
People think it’s just another "girl finds love" story. It isn't. Not really.
If you look closely at the performances, it’s actually a movie about grief and permission. Corey is grieving her father. She feels like she has to keep the shop open to keep him "alive." The cast plays this with a lot of subtlety. Her mother isn't forcing her to stay; Corey is forcing herself. Ryder is just the mirror that shows her she’s allowed to leave.
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It’s a more sophisticated emotional beat than "I hope the snowman contest goes well."
Actionable Steps for Fans of the Movie
If you loved the A Merry Christmas Match cast, here is how you can dive deeper into their work and the world of the movie:
- Check out Kyle Dean Massey’s Broadway performances: Search for his clips from Next to Normal. His voice is incredible and shows a completely different side of his talent.
- Watch 'Privileged' on streaming: If you want to see Ashley Newbrough’s breakout role, find this short-lived but beloved CW series. It’s peak 2000s vibes.
- Visit Idyllwild: If you’re in Southern California, visit the town where they filmed. It’s full of small shops and a community spirit that matches the movie’s tone.
- Host a "Cast Reunion" Marathon: Watch A Merry Christmas Match followed by Small Town Christmas (Newbrough) and then an episode of Nashville (Massey). It gives you a great appreciation for their range.
The magic of this film isn't the snow or the tinsel. It’s the people. The A Merry Christmas Match cast took a simple script and gave it a heartbeat. That’s why we’re still talking about it years later, and why it remains a "must-watch" every December. It reminds us that sometimes, the best match you can make is between the person you are and the person you want to be.
To fully appreciate the film, keep an eye out for the small character moments—the way Alice Krige looks at Newbrough during the more emotional scenes, or the ease with which Gort delivers her comedic lines. These are the details that separate a "content" movie from a "classic" movie.
Once you’ve finished the film, look into the soundtrack as well. Since Massey is a singer, the musical elements have a bit more polish than your average holiday flick. It’s all part of the package that makes this specific Hallmark entry stand the test of time.