The news is not surprising considering that upstart rival network GAC Family (headed by former Hallmark Channel President and CEO Bill Abbott) has been snapping up some of Hallmark’s biggest stars in multi-pic deals of their own. Danica McKellar (Matchmaker Mysteries), Jen Lilley, Trevor Donovan and Countdown to Christmas fav Jessica Lowndes are a few of the stars who’ve made the move over to the new family friendly network. As part of her new deal, Chabert will headline and executive produce movies and develop other content for Hallmark Channel and other Hallmark platforms over the next two years. Chabert has starred in over 30 movies across both Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries including the uber-popular All of My Heart trilogy and The Crossword Puzzle Mysteries franchise. She most recently starred in and executive produced The Wedding Veil trilogy of movies. The first film in the trilogy which also starred Autumn Reeser and Alison Sweeney as college best friends, ranked second as the most-watched non-holiday movie in network history. “Lacey’s warmth, talent, relatability, and creative sensibilities have endeared her to millions of Hallmark viewers for more than ten years, making her one of our most in-demand stars,” remarked Lisa Hamilton Daly, executive vice president, programming, Crown Media Family Networks. “In addition to shining on screen, Lacey is a prolific behind-the-scenes creative partner, developing and executive producing many of our highest-quality, most-beloved projects of all time. She inherently understands and embodies what our networks are all about—the transformational power of love and making people feel good—and we look forward to continuing our work with her to create heartfelt, compelling stories that will entertain, inspire, and touch our audience.” “My experience at Hallmark, a home to me for over ten years now, has been wonderful and it’s beyond rewarding to create characters and develop stories that resonate so strongly with viewers,” Chabert said. “I’m also incredibly grateful to Crown’s programming team for supporting me as a producer and empowering me to develop and star in projects that bring my passion and creative vision to life. I am so excited for what’s next and to continue connecting with Hallmark’s audience.” Chabert has performed on Broadway in Les Misérables (as young Cosette), in feature films like Mean Girls and Daddy Day Care and on television on Party of Five and All My Children. She has also done extensive voice acting including voicing characters on Harriet the Spy, Robot Chicken, Transformers and Justice League. Two of her holiday films, The Christmas Waltz and Christmas at Castle Hart received some of the network’s highest holiday viewing numbers. Now that Chabert is in the bag, we’ll be keeping an eye out for Crown Media to sign other popular Hallmark Channel actresses and actors to multi-pic deals. Perhaps deals for Candace Cameron Bure, Erin Krakow and Brennan Elliott are not far behind. Next, The 100+ Best Christmas Movies of All Time
