Merritt Patterson Signs Exclusive Multi-Picture Deal with Great American Family

Exciting news, movie fans! Merritt Patterson has officially signed on for a long-term partnership with Great American Family! For all of us who love watching Merritt in her many delightful rom-coms and Christmas movies, we will have plenty to look forward to.

If you're curious what film Merritt is filming next with Great American Family, be sure to check out the press release below for all the details...

Press Release via Great American Media:

Great American Media
Signs Exclusive
Multi-Picture Deal
with Fan-Favorite Actress,
Merritt Patterson

First Film in New Deal,
Meet Me in the Margins,
Adapted from Best Selling Author,
Melissa Ferguson’s Novel

NEW YORK, NY – February 5, 2026 – Great American Media today announced an exclusive multi-picture agreement with beloved romantic comedy and holiday leading lady, Merritt Patterson, further strengthening the company’s commitment to delivering uplifting, feel-good Originals for audiences who crave heartfelt storytelling. The company also announces the first film of the new deal is Meet Me in the Margins, adapted from bestselling author Melissa Ferguson’s novel of the same name. Meet Me in the Margins is scheduled to go into production in Spring.

In Meet Me in the Margins, Patterson stars as a book editor who secretly pens her own romance manuscript, only to find unexpected editorial notes from a mysterious critic in the margins. The film is a witty, heartwarming story about finding love between the lines.

Patterson is a proven rom com favorite whose performances have helped make her one of the most recognizable faces in the genre. Across Great American Media, she has starred in multiple audience-favorite Originals, including Jingle Bell Princess, Catering Christmas, ‘Twas the Text Before Christmas, A Vintage Christmas, and One Perfect Match. Beyond Great American Media, Patterson’s warm, witty style has made her a go-to lead for rom com fans with standout holiday titles like The Christmas Cottage.

“Merritt Patterson is the kind of rare leading lady audiences instantly connect with – she is heartfelt, funny, and endlessly watchable,” said Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Great American Media. “I could not be more thrilled to continue our long-time working relationship. Her warmth and charm truly define what our viewers love, and we are looking forward to bringing even more memorable stories to life with Merritt leading the way,” Abbott concluded.

Under the new agreement, Patterson will star in multiple upcoming Great American Media Originals across the company’s portfolio of platforms, including Great American Pure Flix, Great American Family, and GFAM+, continuing her run as one of Great American Media’s signature family of stars.

ABOUT GREAT AMERICAN MEDIA

Great American Media is the leader in faith and family entertainment, and one of the fastest-growing entertainment networks on television. Great American Media is home to a portfolio of entertainment brands that celebrate faith, family, and country, including Great American Family, the flagship linear network featuring original Christmas movies, rom-coms, and beloved series; Great American Pure Flix, the leading faith and family streaming service; Great American Faith & Living, the unscripted companion network; and GFam+, an app that lets viewers watch anytime, anywhere. Great America Media, established in June 2021 by Bill Abbott and a group of US-based family offices, is available via cable, streaming on Pure Flix and YouTube TV, and on the GFam+ app.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Pam Slay
Head of Network Program Publicity & Talent Relations
pamslay@gacmedia.com
818.415.3784
media@crosswindpr.com


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I'm personally thrilled that Merritt Patterson has signed on to star in multiple movies with Great American Family. She has already starred in many movies that I love, including 'Twas the Text Before Christmas, One Perfect Match, Catering Christmas, Picture a Perfect Christmas, The Christmas Cottage, etc., and this new project, Meet Me in the Margins, based on Melissa Ferguson's book, sounds intriguing! *click here for book details*

Please share your favorite Merritt Patterson movies in comments below. Are you excited that she is joining GAF long-term?

Happy movie-watching,

Net

💐Hallmark's New Unscripted Wedding Series

( Erin Cahill on Mom's the Bride. 

image credit: Eliza Morse/Hallmark Media ) 

Interesting news from Hallmark! Earlier this week, it was revealed that Hallmark would be scaling back on their unscripted series, which the network refers to as "reality TV with heart."

This news originated from an article from RealScreen, which shared that Hallmark plans to focus on a "limited number of specials and limited series at impactful times throughout the year, versus a full concurrent slate."

Viewers are, of course, mixed on the topic. Some viewers enjoy these heartfelt, real-life stories, while others tune in primarily for Hallmark’s beloved movies.

Well, interestingly enough, yesterday another brand-new unscripted Hallmark series was announced via People: "Erin Cahill Is Ready to Bring the Joy to Mother-Daughter Duos as She Hosts Hallmark's New Wedding Show."

People revealed in their article that Erin Cahill (Love, Fall, & Order, A Timeless Christmas, Christmas at the Catnip Café) will "host the limited, six-episode unscripted series Mom's the Bride (working title), and this new show is set to premiere in May on Hallmark+." (Hallmark's streaming platform)

Also, according to People, "Each episode will follow an adult woman as she plans her mother's dream wedding — with a little help from Cahill and Hallmark. The series will flip the script on the traditional “mother of the bride” role and honor the mother-daughter bond."

So... what do you think, Hallmark+ streamers? Will you be tuning in for this new unscripted wedding series?

Have a Blessed Day,

Net

Hallmark Channel’s March 2026 Movie Premieres

The Hallmark Channel has revealed their new movie lineup for March, 2026!

The schedule includes romance, mystery, and the return of Actress Jen Lilley!

See all of the details for what's airing this March...


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Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

Saturday March 7 8/7c

Hannah finds a body at the grand re-opening of the Lake Eden Inn. When a storm traps everyone inside, Hannah must find the culprit before the road clears and the killer escapes.

Stars Alison Sweeney, Victor Webster, Barbara Niven


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Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder

Premiere Date: Saturday, March 14, 8/7c

Starring: Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith

Storyline: Nelly and Detective Michael set out to solve the murder of a guest while at a lavish dinner.


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Two for Tee

Saturday March 21 8/7c

Tee is a Chinese American pottery artist who meets new community center handyman Will. As she learns about her family's traditions through art, can she and Will save the center from closure?

Stars Janel Parrish and Chris McNally


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A Royal Setting

Saturday March 28 8/7c

Ruby, a world-renowned gemologist is hired by Prince Luca to restore the crown jewels and design his crown challenging tradition and complicating his relationship with his mother, the queen.

Stars Jen Lilley and Dan Jeannotte


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I hope you'll discover a new movie you will enjoy this March! It's nice to see Jen Lilley will be in a new rom-com, but it will be different to see her on Hallmark again. She'll be reuniting in this new royal-themed movie with Dan Jeannotte. Their first movie together was Paris, Wine & Romance in 2019.

It's also fun to see the new mysteries coming in March! I hope there will be many sleuthing opportunities throughout the year!

Happy movie watching, everyone!
Net

🔎 New Premiere Coming to Hallmark Mystery in March

Hallmark Mystery is back on the case with a brand-new movie premiere, and it’s been a long wait!

Alison Sweeney returns to sleuthing in "Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery"!

The last time this channel aired a brand-new mystery was way back in May of 2025, so spotting this title on the schedule felt like uncovering a long-awaited clue.

Also, while we were used to Hallmark Mystery debuting new mysteries/movies on Thursday nights, this one is changing things up with a Friday premiere instead.

And more great news... this new "Hannah Swensen Mystery" is not the only mystery news for March. Hallmark is also listing another premiere- "Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder," airing on Saturday, March 14th. If the schedule holds, mystery fans are in for a delightfully suspicious weekend. Update: The new "Nelly Knows" will also premiere on Hallmark Mystery.

See the details on "Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery" below...


Sugar & Vice: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

Premiere Date: Friday, March 13, 2026, at 8/7c

Cast: Alison Sweeney, Victor Webster, Barbara Niven

Storyline: Hannah finds a body at the grand re-opening of the Lake Eden Inn. When a storm traps everyone inside, Hannah must find the culprit before the road clears and the killer escapes.


Stay tuned for more movie news. Hopefully, we will see more movies released in March.

Are you excited to see 2 new mysteries coming to Hallmark in March? Check out more details on the "Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder" - here.

Happy Sleuthing!

Net🔎

Hope Valley: 1874 – First-Look – Coming to Hallmark+ March 21!

Hallmark has just released a new promo for "Hope Valley: 1874," the new prequel series to “When Calls the Heart,” starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres and Jill Hennessy! I also spotted the well-known actor Neal McDonough in the new preview.

The new series will begin streaming - March 21st exclusively on Hallmark+.

See the new promo and more details on the series from the Hallmark press release below. Plus, see my thoughts at the end of this post…


Hope Valley: 1874 - Promo:

THE DAWN OF A NEW FRONTIER

HALLMARK’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED

PREQUEL SERIES

TO WHEN CALLS THE HEART

HOPE VALLEY: 1874

PREMIERES SATURDAY, MARCH 21

EXCLUSIVELY ON HALLMARK+

New Episode Available to Stream Every Thursday Beginning March 26
Starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres and Jill Hennessy

BURBANK, CA – January 30, 2026 – Hallmark announced today that Hope Valley: 1874, the new prequel series to the beloved When Calls the Heart, will premiere Saturday, March 21, exclusively on Hallmark+, with a new episode premiering every Thursday beginning March 26. The network also unveiled a first look at the trailer for the eight-episode series, giving fans an exciting glimpse into the origins of the community that would one day become Hope Valley.

As previously announced, the series stars Bethany Joy Lenz (A Biltmore Christmas), Benjamin Ayres (The Santa Class), Jill Hennessy (City on a Hill), Roan Curtis (Firefly Lane) and Lachlan Quarmby (Providence Falls). Joining the ensemble are Jedidiah Goodacre (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as Clayton Cooley, a ruggedly handsome blacksmith, Chelsea Hobbs (Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane) as Peggy McCabe, the wife of Tom’s (Ayres) foreman Nash as portrayed by Brad Abramenko (A Splash of Love).

Set in 1874, the series explores the earliest days of the frontier settlement that later became Hope Valley, chronicling the courage, resilience and relationships that laid the foundation for the close-knit town viewers have come to love. Lenz portrays Rebecca Clarke, who travels from her home city of Chicago to the Western Canadian frontier with her 11-year-old-daughter Sarah (Mila Morgan, The Holiday Sitter). But when her wagon breaks down, and she realizes the boardinghouse is not as advertised, Rebecca has no choice but to accept help from local rancher and confirmed bachelor, Tom Moore (Ayres). Despite her best intentions to remain unattached, Bella can't help but slowly fall for Tom and develop a friendship with tenacious pioneer woman Hattie Quinn (Hennessy). Hattie’s daughter Olivia (Curtis) helps run their trading post and catches the eye of Constable Alexander Vaughn (Quarmby), much to the dismay of Clayton (Goodacre), who harbors feelings for her.

Showcasing themes of perseverance and romance, this series explores the journey of a mother as she discovers a new chapter in her life as she helps forge what starts out as collection of isolated settlers into a small close-knit community during the rugged and hopeful Pioneer Era. This prequel to Hallmark’s historical drama series, When Calls the Heart, will take viewers back in time to follow the early settlers of the community that will one day become the beloved frontier town of Hope Valley.

Hope Valley: 1874 is from All Canadian Entertainment production company. Executive producers of the series include Brad Krevoy, Brian Bird, Michael Landon Jr., Amy Hartwick, Olivia Krevoy, Vicki Sotheran, Greg Malcolm, Alfonso Moreno and Susie Belzberg. Mike Rohl and Elizabeth Stewart are co-executive producers, and Jennifer Siddle and Melody Fox serve as consulting producers.

# # #

My Quick Take:

I’m absolutely loving this beautiful first look at Hope Valley: 1874. It truly captures the spirit of the pioneer era and truly feels like a step back in time. With When Calls the Heart now set in the 1920s and moving further away from the early American frontier, it’s especially heartwarming to see a new series that takes us back to those humble, hardworking pioneer days.

This glimpse of Hope Valley: 1874 is already giving me the same comforting, nostalgic feeling as classic shows like Little House on the Prairie, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Christy, Little Men, When Hope Calls, and of course, the early seasons of When Calls the Heart, along with Hallmark's Love Comes Softly films. There’s something so special about stories set in a simpler time, filled with resilience, faith, community, and hope.

Based on the promo, which highlights a close-knit community and everyday struggles of frontier life, I have a feeling this new series coming to Hallmark+ this spring will become another deeply beloved period drama.

I’d love to know what you think, too. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Blessings to you all,

Net