Details
Union:
Union
Area of media:
TV Feature
Network:
Hallmark
Paid?:
Yes
Rates:
ACTRA scale
Deadline:
July 17, 2026
Shooting starts:
Aug 10, 2026
Shooting finishes:
Aug 29, 2026
Shooting locations:
Winnipeg & environs
Cities for response:
Winnipeg
Comments
We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. All roles below are open to artists of any race. Approach all dialogue with Standard American English. Please note that this is a lower-budget project; private dressing rooms as defined by the IPA may not be available for all shoot dates.
Roles
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Supporting | Kris Patterson | Male 65 - 79 Years old |
Description An old soul, Kris Patterson recently moved to the tight-knit community of Birch Creek, Vermont - so he’s new in town, so to speak. He now resides at ‘Jolly Acres’, a vibrant 55+ retirement community, happily settling into his new home. Jolly Acres manager Reid Tanner has organized an “adopt a grandparent” program that matches interested residents with families. That's how Kris meets the McClain family, single mom Maren and her son Leo who asks him to be his adopted grandpa - without hesitation Kris joyfully accepts! ...The Holidays are fast approaching, Kris’ favorite time of year, the perfect Season to bestow some wisdom and Christmas magic upon his newly adopted family and community. ANY RACE | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Supporting | Leo McClain | Male 6 - 10 Years old |
Description Leo is a happy, energetic young fellow with a vivid imagination. His mother runs the ‘Hammer & Heart’ hardware store, a much-loved family business in town. ...One afternoon a couple weeks before Christmas, Leo meets a new customer at his mom’s shop, Kris, a recent resident at the Jolly Acres retirement community. There is an instant rapport between this jovial old man and child, and the more Leo observes Kris, the same question keeps popping into his head - could Kris actually be Santa?!? So when Leo learns about Jolly Acres “adopt a grandparent” program, he immediately asks Kris to be his adopted grandpa and he happily accepts! Leo knows he’s adopted, so the idea of adoption is familiar to him. ...Leo loves a mystery and playing detective - spending time with Kris offers the perfect opportunity to put on his detective’s cap and learn more about his newly adopted grandpa and friend, Kris. PLEASE INCLUDE DATE OF BIRTH WITH SUBMISSION...ANY RACE | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Large Principal | Josie | Female 37 - 45 Years old |
Description Josie is Maren’s close friend and helps her run the Hammer & Heart hardware store, a very popular business in town. She also baby-sits Leo sometimes and is practically an aunt to him, so she’s keen to hear all about his adopted grandpa Kris. She also is encourages Maren’s own deepening rapport with Reid, the handsome, unattached manager at the Jolly Acres retirement village. But when it appears their budding romance may stop before it gets too serious, Josie challenges Maren’s casual attitude that it’s no real loss - she knows her friend is crestfallen after falling for Reid. ...Josie often thinks Maren takes on too much work, always helping folks around town with their fix-it projects, not to mention the sacrifices of being a single parent. ANY RACE | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Large Principal | Frannie | Female 50 - 61 Years old |
Description Frannie is the long-time assistant manager at the Jolly Acres retirement village, the residents have become like a family to her, and it’s a job she loves. She’s also grown accustomed to being ‘second in command’ happily sharing responsibilities with her boss Reid, the manager. That’s all about to change as Reid is moving on within the company that runs Jolly Acres and other retirement communities across the country. Franny feels some apprehension about this change - and some anxiety about all the responsibilities she shared with Reid falling upon her shoulders alone once he moves on. ...It’s the night before Christmas Eve when a water-leak causes the roof of the dining-hall to collapse. All the beautiful decorations and everyone’s hard work is ruined, jeopardizing the very Christmas party itself. All seems lost, but it’s Franny who steps up and saves the day! ANY RACE | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Large Principal | Mr. Whitmore | Male 48 - 59 Years old |
Description Reid’s boss Mr. Whitmore leads the corporation that runs Jolly Acres and a handful of other retirement communities across the US. He’s tremendously impressed with Reid’s hard work and devotion not only to his job, but making Happy Acres a real community enriching the lives of its residents. So when Whitmore has to hire a new manager on short notice immediately after the Holidays for their Arizona residence, he’s confident in Reid’s ability to assume this major responsibility with little notice. ...But Reid has grown quite attached to Happy Acres, and Maren has captured his heart. Ultimately Mr. Whitmore understands Reid’s choice to remain. ANY RACE | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Midge | Female 69 - 80 Years old |
Description Midge is a new resident at Happy Acres, having just moved from Canada after her beloved husband Earl passed away. She loves to make cookies and has a special knack at gluten-free baking as her diet requires. Midge also loves to play the accordion, so much so she’s named it ‘Earl’ which offers some comfort to her loss. ...She knows Earl is still with her in sprit, and happy to see Midge making new friends. ANY RACE | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Principal | Big Jim | Male 55 - 65 Years old |
Description Big Jim operates the town’s Christmas tree lot. To add some festive flair to his operation, he brings in a real, live reindeer from a local farm for the kids to see. He’s known Maren her whole life, and values the neighborly, co-operative qualities of small-town living. ANY RACE | ||
| Role type | Role | Gender & Age range |
| Actor | Joe Carver | Male 38 - 59 Years old |
Description Joe is the town’s electrician...he knows he can rely on Maren to stock harder to find tools and equipment. ANY RACE | ||