New Hallmark Christmas movie filming at Biltmore Estate

ASHEVILLE, NC (WOLO) — The magic of movie making and the beauty of the Biltmore Estate is a perfect combination for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies.

On a typical day, long lines of people form outside the Biltmore Estate wait to see the house George Vanderbilt built, but not this January day. Instead, film crews fill the grounds shooting scenes for the second Hallmark Christmas movie shot here.

“Biltmore is the ultimate Christmas destination for Hallmark, because the decorations are so amazing,” said Andrew Gernhard of Synthetic Cinema International. “They’re so big, so grand.”

Gernhard, producer of “A Grand Biltmore Christmas” worked on the first Hallmark movie filmed at the estate, ” A Biltmore Christmas.” While different stories, apart from romance, he says both movies have something else in common.

“The house lends to the time travel idea that we used in the first movie and we’re using it in this movie. We’re going to different times, this time,” explained Gernhard.

For Chase Pickering, the great, great grandson of George Vanderbilt, there is only one place in time for the movie to start.

“We wanted to go back to the very beginning, 130 years ago, on Christmas Eve when George Vanderbilt opened the Biltmore in 1895,” said Pickering. “That’s where the story begins in the movie.”

Niall Matter and Holland Roden, the two main actors bringing this story to life, say time travel makes for perfect movie magic.

“Our characters are acquaintances in the past, but maybe we become more in the present,” said Matter.

“Not only is it a really wonderful romance front and center, but there is a lot of comedy that’s unexpected – perhaps because of the different eras throughout the film,” added Roden.

Jonathan Frakes, of Star Trek: Picard fame, is reprising his role from “A Biltmore Christmas,” as the Estate curator. Rachel Boston, who made a cameo appearance in that movie, will make another in this one.

“It’s so special to be part of the history of this house, and to be back for a Grand Biltmore Christmas has been absolutely magical,” remarked Boston when asked about taking part in both movies.

Once “A Grand Biltmore Christmas” airs during Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas later this year, visitors to the house are sure to recognize a thing or two.

According to Pickering, filming is purposely taking place in rooms and areas that Biltmore guests can come and experience when visiting the house.

When asked if he would share what the meet cute is for this movie,

Gernhard simply said, “I won’t do that, but you can tune into the movie for that.”

The meet cute describes a funny moment where two characters meet which leads them to later fall in love.