What can we say about Ryan Paevey? Do you have an hour or two? Fans grieved the former General Hospital actor’s character when Nathan West died at the hands of his father Faison, but each time he appears in a new Hallmark movie, they can’t wait to tune in to see their fave once again. And as if he came full circle, his role as a soap star in 2021’s A Little Daytime Drama, along with Days of Our Lives alum Jen Lilley (ex-Theresa) was number one on our list.
Andrew Walker has played a variety of Hallmark roles — from professional baseball player, to retreat owner to small town detective. And one of our favorites was 2019’s Bottled With Love, where he appeared as Nick opposite Guiding Light’s Bethany Joy Lenz (Michelle). Who wouldn’t want to fall in love through a message in a bottle, only to find out the guy on the other end is the one who irritates you the most?!
Tyler Hynes’ Hallmark roles have included everything from a high school ex-boyfriend, to a big shot director and so many more in between. However, watching his character fall in love (all over again) with his brother’s fiancée in 2021’s It Was Always You was simply swoon-worthy. Don’t worry, his brother realized there was another woman better suited for him!
When we think of charming, Luke Macfarlane comes to mind. His various characters have made birthday wishes come true and have given shoe-addicts (yes, shoe-addicts!) a future to look forward to… but our favorite Macfarlane Hallmark movie was watching his character come out of his shell as a reclusive country music star in 2021’s Christmas In My Heart.
Another fave with a soapy past, Days of Our Lives alum Trevor Donovan (ex-Jeremy) plays chivalry well in his Hallmark roles. From giving a princess a place to stay while stranded in The States, to preventing a local businesswoman from slipping on the ice, it’s no wonder we fell for him in 2020’s USS Christmas as a naval officer, where, like Paevey, he starred opposite Lilley.
With a smile that would stop even the strongest in their tracks, it was tough choosing our very favorite of Sam Page’s Hallmark features. But if we have to, 2021’s One Summer would be our pick. The different levels of emotion he brought as a widowed, single father had us shedding more than a few tears — and warmed our hearts when he found love again.
Kevin McGarry is quickly recognized by Hallmark fans for playing Nathan on the hit series When Calls the Heart. But did you know he starred in various movies on the network before gaining such popularity with the Hearties? His voice in 2017’s A Song for Christmas melted our hearts and watching his character evolve, in regards to his motives surrounding the female pop superstar, were breathtaking.
Travis Van Winkle is no stranger to primetime or series that involve romantic drama, such as in 7th Heaven, 90210 and Hart of Dixie. And when he hit the Hallmark scene, especially in 2021’s ‘Tis the Season to be Merry, it was clear he found a home as one of the network’s most popular male leads — one that brought compassion, comedy and romance to our screens.
Like many before him, Bobby Campo started out on Hallmark playing a secondary character before starring in a few as the lead. However, a few were all it took for him to make our list, especially for his role as Jeff in 2018’s Christmas Camp. If we’re forced to attend a retreat for a holiday attitude adjustment, who better than the owners’ son to help trade in technology for a whirlwind romance?!
Another actor whose secondary character quickly gained fan reaction in the network’s Vineyard movies, Marcus Rosner had no trouble stepping into lead roles — and left his fans wanting more. In 2020’s Love on Harbor Island, as a jack-of-all-trades pilot, many yearned to be the damsel in distress that his character rushed in to rescue.
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