STUDIO CITY, CA and BUFFALO, NY – The starting lineup and additional cast members have been announced for Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story, a new, original movie premiering this year during Hallmark Channel's 16th annual Countdown to Christmas, the reigning MVP of holiday programming.
The movie will feature Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, RB Ray Davis, Safety Damar Hamlin, OT Dion Dawkins, TE Dawson Knox, LS Reid Ferguson, DT DeWayne Carter and WR Joshua Palmer. Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly, former teammates Steve Tasker, Thurman Thomas, Scott Norwood and Andre Reed. Bills play-by-play announcer Chris Brown will also see action during production. And paying homage to the late, great broadcast journalist and die-hard Bills fan Tim Russert, his son Luke Russert rounds out the team.
Additionally, Holland Roden, Matthew Daddario, Tony Danza, Tracy Pollan, Caroline Aaron, Steve Schirripa, and Patti Murin have been named to the starting lineup.
Production begins today in Buffalo, NY at iconic locations throughout the region including Highmark Stadium – which is heading into its final season as the Bills home field – and in Oishei Children's Hospital.
Click **HERE** to Access the Cast Video Announcement
"We are so excited to have a stellar ensemble cast that is truly an acting dream team," began Samantha DiPippo, Senior Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Media. "The addition of Coach McDermott along with the current Bills players and alumni gives us the winning combination to bring to life this heartwarming story that celebrates the bonds of family and community and, of course, there's romance with a touch of Christmas magic."
MOVIE SYNOPSIS
The Quinns and DeLucas have lived next door to each other for decades in the shadow of Highmark Stadium – the home of their beloved Buffalo Bills. With their longtime friendship rooted in being proud members of Bills Mafia, the two clans have enjoyed cherished traditions that revolve around cheering for their favorite team – especially at the holidays when they celebrate the last home game before Christmas.
Pediatric doctor Morgan Quinn (Roden) and the Bills' VP of Stadium Development Gabe DeLuca (Daddario) have always been close friends, but Gabe has always held a torch for her -a fact obvious to their families (Pollan, Aaron, Schirripa)…and everyone else who crosses their path.
When Morgan learns from her Uncle Tommy (Danza) that someone anonymously helped her family get by after he was drafted more than 60 years ago – and that he continues to receive a Christmas gift each year to this day –she decides to find his benefactor and give her uncle a Christmas he'll always remember.
Aided by Bills Mafia friends of theirs, Morgan and Gabe work together to unwrap the gifter's identity. Along the way, Gabe's love for Morgan deepens and in turn, she begins to see him in a new light though neither is daring enough to admit their feelings. Meanwhile, Morgan's hopes of pulling off her surprise for Uncle Tommy get sacked. That is, until Gabe takes matters into his own hands and uses his connections with the Bills to pull off the surprise of a lifetime for Morgan and both their families that will make this a Christmas they'll never forget.
PRODUCTION
Skydance Sports serves as the Executive Producer of Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story. A newly formed venture between Skydance Media and the NFL, Skydance Sports is designed to create a top-end sports content studio and expand multi-platform sports programming across a broad range of formats.
Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story is from Hallmark Media. Jonathan Eskenas and Kimberley Bradley are executive producers. Andrew Gernhard serves as producer and Molly Mayeux is line producer. Dustin Rikert directs from a script by Vanessa Marano and Danielle Morrow.
ABOUT HALLMARK MEDIA
Owned and operated by Hallmark Cards, Inc., Hallmark Media is entertainment's leading destination for feel-good content. Hallmark Channel features an ambitious slate of new, original movies, scripted series, and the popular annual holiday franchise, Countdown to Christmas. Hallmark Mystery features a unique mix of movies and acquired series focused on the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres, as well as its own seasonal programming event, Miracles of Christmas. Hallmark Family showcases timeless storytelling for the whole family centered around faith, love, and community. The company's subscription streaming service and membership program, Hallmark+ offers a distinctive blend of all new, exclusive original series and movies, next-day access to Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Mystery premieres, plus monthly discounts and rewards for shopping at Hallmark Gold Crown retail stores. For more information, please visit www.corporate.hallmarkmedia.com.
ABOUT SKYDANCE SPORTS
Skydance Sports, the joint venture between the NFL and Skydance, has quickly become the preeminent studio for leagues, teams, elite athletes and A-List Hollywood talent seeking to produce premium, sports-related entertainment.
Initially launched in 2021, the studio's first two projects include the Sports Emmy-nominated docuseries Good Rivals and the critically acclaimed film Air which received two Golden Globe Award nominations including "Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy." In 2022, Skydance partnered with the NFL and NFL Films on a joint venture to significantly expand multi-platform programming across sports in a broad range of formats for partners, fans, and viewers around the world. The partnership's projects include the upcoming docuseries America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' dynasty and franchise owner Jerry Jones, a documentary feature on football legend John Elway, and a docuseries on tennis icon Rafael Nadal for Netflix along with a scripted series for Hulu written and executive produced by Dan Fogelman set inside the world of the NFL. Recently released projects include the Hallmark holiday movie Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, Aaron Rodgers: Enigma for Netflix, Freediver on Prime Video, Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants for HBO as well as the Sports Emmy-nominated NFL Draft: The Pick Is In for The Roku Channel and Kelce for Prime Video.
