After the massive success of 2024’s Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story starring Tyler Hynes, Hunter King and Megyn Price, the Hallmark Channel ordered another installment in what might turn into a big franchise for the network. This second film heads to Buffalo, New York, for an AFC East love story.
Now the network has announced the cast for Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story, and a beloved ’80s star is returning to TV in a key role, plus he co-stars opposite Michael J. Fox’s wife, Tracy Pollan, in her first acting role in three years. There is also a familiar face from The Sopranos making his Hallmark debut.
The network announced Monday, May 19, that Pollan, Tony Danza, Holland Roden, Matthew Daddario, Caroline Aaron and Steve Schirripa have been tapped to star in A Bills Love Story for Hallmark. The film will premiere during Hallmark’s annual tradition, the Countdown to Christmas run of new holiday movies leading up to Christmas Day. This is the network’s 16th year of the Countdown.
There will also be a number of real-life Buffalo Bills current stars and legends appearing in the film — Head coach Sean McDermott, running back Ray Davis, safety Damar Hamlin, offensive tackle Dion Dawkins, tight end Dawson Knox, long snapper Reid Ferguson, defensive tackle DeWayne Carter, wide receiver Joshua Palmer, former players Jim Kelly, Steve Tasker, Thurman Thomas, Scott Norwood and Andre Reed, Bills announcer Chris Brown, and Luke Russert, the son of the late TV broadcaster and huge Bills fan Tim Russert.
“We are so excited to have a stellar ensemble cast that is truly an acting dream team. 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,” said Samantha DiPippo, Senior Vice President of programming at Hallmark Media.
The description of the film reads:
“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, Murin)… 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 –s he 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.
The exact release date for Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story has not yet been announced.
