If you’ve ever found yourself curled up on the couch in late December, chances are you’ve stumbled across Pine Grove. No, not the actual place—though travelers wish it were real—but the cozy setting of the Hallmark hit Christmas Getaway. It’s one of those movies that somehow finds its way back into the rotation every single year.
Honestly, the setup is a total classic trope. You’ve got Emory Blake, a travel writer who has spent her whole life jet-setting but has never actually experienced a traditional American Christmas. Then there is a reservation mix-up. Enter Scott Hays, a handsome widower, and his daughter Katy. They end up sharing a cabin, and well, you know how the rest goes. But the magic of this movie really comes down to the people on screen. The cast of Christmas Getaway isn't just a bunch of random actors; they’re seasoned pros who bring a surprising amount of heart to what could have been a very "paint-by-numbers" story.
Bridget Regan as Emory Blake
Bridget Regan is basically the anchor of this whole thing. She plays Emory, a woman who is incredibly capable at navigating foreign airports but totally lost when it comes to hanging a wreath.
You might recognize her, but maybe not from Hallmark. Bridget has a pretty intense resume. She was the lead in Legend of the Seeker (hello, Kahlan Amnell fans) and played the terrifyingly cool Dottie Underwood in Marvel’s Agent Carter. Seeing her go from a Soviet assassin to a travel writer struggling with a gingerbread house is a bit of a trip, but she nails it. She brings this sort of grounded, intelligent energy to Emory that makes the character feel like a real person rather than a caricature.
Travis Van Winkle as Scott Hays
Then we have Travis Van Winkle. Aside from having a name that sounds like it was invented for a Christmas movie, he’s been in everything. In Christmas Getaway, he plays Scott, a lawyer and single dad who is just trying to give his daughter a "Best Christmas Ever."
Before he was playing the sensitive widower in Pine Grove, Travis was often cast as the "jock" or the "alpha male." Remember Trent DeMarco in the first Transformers movie? Or his role in the Friday the 13th reboot? Yeah, that was him. More recently, he showed up in the third season of Netflix’s You as Cary Conrad, the fitness-obsessed neighbor. He’s got this wide range where he can play the jerk or the sweetheart, and in this film, he leans fully into the "sweetheart" category.
The Supporting Cast That Makes Pine Grove Feel Real
A movie like this isn't just about the leads. The supporting cast of Christmas Getaway is what fills out the world.
- Raven Stewart (Katy Hays): The kid actor who doesn't feel like a "kid actor." She plays Scott’s daughter, Katy, and she’s the one who actually initiates the Christmas to-do list that drives the plot. Raven has also appeared in Fargo and A Very Country Christmas.
- Teryl Rothery (Marilyn Hays): She plays Scott’s mom, Marilyn. If she looks familiar, it’s probably because she was Dr. Janet Fraiser on Stargate SG-1 for years. She’s a Hallmark staple at this point, often playing the wise, supportive mother or aunt.
- Sarah Smyth (Alice Bennett): Alice is the "other woman" in the sense that she’s a fellow lawyer and family friend who seems like the "logical" choice for Scott. Sarah Smyth is another frequent flyer in the Vancouver acting scene, having starred in Cedar Cove.
- Alvin Sanders (Hal): He plays Hal, the guy who runs the inn and the candy shop. He’s essentially the spirit of Christmas in human form. You might know him as Pop Tate from Riverdale.
Why This Specific Cast Works So Well
It’s easy to dismiss holiday movies as "fluff," but there’s a reason this one stuck. The chemistry between Bridget Regan and Travis Van Winkle feels organic. They don’t just fall in love because the script says so; they actually seem to enjoy each other's company.
The movie deals with some heavier themes too—widowhood, the fear of moving on, and the feeling of not belonging anywhere. Because the actors have backgrounds in drama and action, they don't overplay the sentimentality. They keep it sort of... normal. As normal as being trapped in a cabin with a stranger during a snowstorm can be, anyway.
Real Locations vs. Movie Magic
While the cast makes the town feel lived-in, Pine Grove isn't a real place you can visit. Like most Hallmark productions, Christmas Getaway was filmed in and around Vancouver and Burnaby, British Columbia. The "rustic" cabin and the snowy streets are all part of that Great White North filming incentive.
If you’re looking to recreate the Emory Blake experience, your best bet is to head to a mountain resort in BC during the winter. Just don't expect to be double-booked with a handsome widower. That part is strictly for the movies.
What to Watch Next If You Loved the Cast
If you’ve finished the movie and want more of these actors, you’ve got options. For Bridget Regan, check out Jane the Virgin where she plays the complicated Rose. If you want more Travis Van Winkle, his work in The Last Ship shows off his action side.
👉 See also: Seven Days in June: Why We Can’t Stop Talking About Eva and Shane
The cast of Christmas Getaway really proves that you can take a simple holiday premise and make it something special just by having the right people in the room.
Next Steps for Holiday Movie Fans:
- Check out the Hallmark Movie Checklist app to see when Christmas Getaway is airing next; it usually pops up several times during the "Countdown to Christmas" and "Christmas in July" events.
- Look into other collaborations: Many of these actors cross paths in other Vancouver-based productions, so if you liked the dynamic between Teryl Rothery and Sarah Smyth, they often appear in the same circles.
- Follow the leads on social media: Travis Van Winkle is quite active regarding his charity work with the Love:Life Foundation, which is a cool way to see what he’s doing when he’s not playing a lawyer in a snowy cabin.