‘A Merry Christmas Match’ Hallmark Movie Premiere: Cast, Trailer, Air Date

Originally set to debut as part of Hallmark’s Christmas in July event, “A Merry Christmas Match,” starring Ashley Newbrough and Kyle Dean Massey, is now the very first Miracles of Christmas 2019 premiere!

Airing tonight on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, the film was written and directed by Jake Helgren, who also directed last year’s Lifetime holiday movie, “A Christmas Arrangement.” As for Newbrough, she starred in the short-lived CW series, “Privileged,” and led the 2018 Hallmark Christmas movie, “Small Town Christmas.” Meanwhile, Massey is best known for playing Kevin Bicks on the ABC-turned-CMT series, “Nashville.” This is his first Hallmark movie.

In “A Merry Christmas Match,” sparks fly quickly between Newbrough’s Corey and Massey’s Ryder, but a misunderstanding threatens the relationship they’re trying to build.

According to the synopsis, “Corey Calvin works in the small-town antiques shop her late father opened and her mom tries to keep afloat. When her best friend leaves Harmony for TV stardom in Los Angeles, Corey settles for staying behind, her big city dreams of becoming a theater director sidelined. Keeping the shop open to honor her dad’s memory matters more to Corey, as does staying on as creative director of Harmony’s annual Christmas Pageant. When real estate heir and Los Angeles hunk Ryder Donnelly comes into the store to browse, more than Christmas lights twinkle in Corey’s shop.

“As their relationship warms, Ryder implores Corey to think about what they might have between them. An unexpected thoughtful gift from Ryder persuades her to attend a Christmas charity gala at the Donnelly family estate. Their eyes meet again – until a misunderstanding over a past relationship of his threatens to undo everything. The big night of the annual Christmas Pageant in Harmony finally arrives and, much to Corey’s shock, Ryder shows up. He explains the misunderstanding from his parents’ party and has even more surprises in store for her. Now Corey must decide what she really wants and learn to listen to her heart.”

The Hallmark movie’s cast also includes “The Carrie Diaries” alum Lindsey Gort (Jillian), “Teen Beach Movie” franchise star John DeLuca (Davey) and “Glee” actress Ashley Fink (Mindy). Spencer Squire (Cole), Alice Hunter (Deanna), Courtney Hope (Victoria), Kathleen Kinmont (Gayle), Matt McCoy (Gary) and Stepfanie Kramer (Dorothy) also star.

“A Merry Christmas Match” debuts on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on Friday at 9 p.m. EDT.