Hallmark’s holiday magic machine keeps churning out delightful surprises, and this one’s a real treat for longtime fans. Remember that spark between Lacey Chabert and Andrew Walker in “My Secret Valentine”? Well, they’re finally bringing their chemistry back to the small screen — this time with sleigh bells attached.
The network’s upcoming “She’s Making a List” sounds like exactly what the doctor ordered for those winter nights when nothing but a cozy blanket and some festive charm will do. And honestly, after the streaming wars of 2024 left viewers drowning in dark, edgy content, this reunion couldn’t come at a better time.
Chabert (who’s practically got a permanent parking spot at Hallmark Studios at this point) takes on the role of Isabel Haynes. She’s playing — get this — a Naughty or Nice inspector. Talk about a job that beats answering emails all day. Her character’s world gets thrown for a loop when Walker’s Jason Duncan enters the picture, complete with an 11-year-old daughter who’s apparently giving Santa’s elves a run for their money in the mischief department.
The timing feels particularly sweet, given how both actors have evolved since their last partnership. Chabert, now 42, has somehow managed to become even more synonymous with holiday entertainment than she already was (no small feat, considering she’s been the network’s go-to star for what feels like forever). Her social media response to the announcement — a heartfelt “So excited about this! ❤️🎄” — probably understates just how much fans are buzzing about this reunion.
Walker, 46, couldn’t help gushing about working with Chabert again. “What a gift it is to reunite with Lacey seven years after our Valentine’s movie,” he shared, before launching into the kind of praise that makes you wonder why it took so long to get these two back together. His words about her ability to bring “warmth, heart, and comedy with such ease” aren’t just typical Hollywood fluff — anyone who’s watched their previous collaboration knows he’s spot on.
The plot itself sounds like classic Hallmark with just enough of a twist to keep things interesting. Professional duty versus matters of the heart? Check. Holiday backdrop? Obviously. But there’s something about the setup — a by-the-book inspector whose job literally involves judging people’s behavior meeting a widowed dad and his troublemaking kid — that suggests this might venture beyond the usual formula.
As streaming platforms continue their endless battle for viewer attention in 2025, there’s something oddly comforting about Hallmark sticking to what they do best. Sure, they’re not trying to reinvent television or compete with the latest high-budget fantasy series. But sometimes, especially during the holidays, what viewers really want is the equivalent of a warm cup of cocoa with extra marshmallows.
“Santa isn’t the only person making lists,” teases Hallmark’s promo material. Well, here’s hoping this particular project makes it onto everyone’s must-watch list this holiday season. After all, in a world where everything seems to be getting more complicated by the minute, there’s something to be said for entertainment that promises to deliver exactly what it says on the tin — with a dash of Christmas magic thrown in for good measure.
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