Why Hallmark stars ‘fell in love’ with Kansas City while shooting Chiefs holiday movie
Kansas City loves Kansas City.
Most locals will tell you so, anyway. Enter into evidence: Chiefs fans peering from their balconies into the lobby of the Sheraton hotel, whooping and hollering as coach Andy Reid stepped onto the red carpet Saturday night.
They cheered, too, when other Chiefs stars, like former running back Christian Okoye, made their entrances at the “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” premiere. The Hallmark movie is centered on the Kansas City Chiefs and debuted Saturday night.
The Chiefs’ passionate fan base is partly why lead actress Hunter King quickly became enthralled with the city.
“As soon as I stepped off the plane — I’ve never been to a place quite like Kansas City, where it feels like you are living a Hallmark movie,” she told The Star at the red carpet. “Everyone around you is wearing a Chiefs jersey, some kind of Chiefs memorabilia. … It’s incredible.”
In the movie, King plays Chiefs superfan Alana Higman, who tries to win the Fan of the Year Award as a gift to her family. First, Alana must prove herself a worthy fan to Derrick, the Chiefs’ director of fan engagement. In true Hallmark fashion, sparks begin to fly between Alana and Derrick.
The movie features several Chiefs players: Mecole Hardman Jr., Clyde Edwards-Helaire, George Karlaftis and Trey Smith.
Several more Chiefs references and cameos are sprinkled throughout the movie. Donna Kelce, Travis Kelce’s mother, makes an appearance. Gracie Hunt, Clark Hunt’s daughter, also has a role in the film, as do Okoye and Reid.
“I never realized how dedicated the Chiefs fans were until filming this movie,” King said. “It’s part of the reason why I think I fell in love with the Chiefs and with Kansas City. I mean, the fans are just so loyal. Just like Hallmark fans.”
Tyler Hynes, who plays Derrick, said he was impressed with Kansas City’s Midwestern niceness. Like if Canada and America “had a baby,” the Toronto native said.
“There’s an authenticity and a humility … and a confidence and outgoingness in terms of personality,” he said. “I think we have a lot to learn.”
Megyn Price, who played Leah Higman in the film, said she enjoyed staying near the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art during filming. She and her dog walked around the sculpture gardens often and chatted with locals — many of whom already knew who she was and were excited about her work.
“I went to the dog park, and they were like, ‘Oh, you must be here for the Hallmark movie,’” she said.
Price added that she hopes Kansas Citians feel honored by the movie, which is meant to portray their enthusiasm and heart.
“This is a little love letter to fans,” she said.
Writer Julie Sherman Wolfe knows many viewers’ minds likely went to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce when they heard Hallmark was making a Chiefs-centered movie.
But this film isn’t really about them. Not directly, at least.
But then again, the star-studded romance has opened many more fans into the franchise. Perhaps a Hallmark movie could do the same?
“All of a sudden, after last year, romance and the NFL were in the same sentence, so that just sort of inspired everybody to make this happen,” she said. “The inspiration of just love and romance being in the air is important.”
This story was originally published November 30, 2024 at 10:43 PM.