From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C.—  The Biltmore Estate is gearing up for another round of “Hallmark holiday magic,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on Dec. 25-26.

Production for the second Hallmark Christmas movie filmed on the Biltmore Estate will start this month.

Chase Pickering, Biltmore vice president of guest experiences, told News 13 that estate officials are thrilled to be the location of another Hallmark movie in Asheville.

He said the movie has been in the works for about a year, adding that it is exciting to collaborate with Hallmark because Biltmore officials are afforded the opportunity to provide some input on the script and the storyline.

“A Biltmore Christmas,” the first Hallmark movie made on the property, was filmed in 2023.

For the sequel, the filmmakers are going to showcase more of the property, including Antler Hill Village, the Biltmore Winery and The Inn, Pickering told News 13.

Also, he said, there also are going to be a few scenes shot in downtown Asheville, such as at Asheville’s Fine Arts Theatre and at Pack’s Tavern.

Pickering noted that while a lot of the same people who help,ed make the first movie are coming back, it is a new storyline.

“It does have a new cast, but we’re really excited that Jonathan Frakes, who played the part of Biltmore employee and really hosted that time travel theme, will be returning for the second movie,” Pickering said. 

The film will transport guests and viewers back to the Gilded Age — specifically, back 130 years ago to when Biltmore House first opened on Christmas Eve of 1895, he noted.

It will, of course, be a love story.

As for the first movie, Pickering told News 13 that “A Biltmore Christmas” was one of the most popular movies Hallmark has ever made.

“We talk with guests everyday who have seen that movie, who have visited Asheville and Biltmore because of it and we know the second movie will continue to draw interest in Biltmore and in Asheville,” he said.

The new film will bring global attention to Western North Carolina, especially as tourism continues to recover since Helene, Pickering said, adding, “So many of us in the region and in tourism have worked to recover and I’m really pleased to share that November, December feels that we are turning that page.”

Pickering noted that Biltmore officials are beginning to see pre-Helene numbers for the first time again in November and December — and are hoping for that to continue into the new year.

Filming begins in January and the plan is to film the whole movie in one month.

He said the production company is working with many local artists and there are opportunities for extras.

Biltmore released the following information for anyone interested in being an extra in the upcoming movie:

The Extras Casting Department is hiring all ages — 7 to 70s — to work as paid extras 

The pay rate will: $120 for eight hours, with overtime paid after eight hours..

The filming time frame is Jan. 12 through Feb. 2. 

“Extras need to have flexible and available schedules, because the typical workday can last as long as 12 hours,” a press release noted.

To apply to work as an extra, email Marty Cherrix at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , using the subject line: “Hallmark.”

Applicants are asked to include a recent photo, full name, age, phone number, height, weight, all clothing sizes and shoe size.

The Biltmore Estate said booking for extras will happen throughout the filming dates, “so if you do not hear back immediately, just know the casting process continues throughout January into early February.”

The filmmakers noted that “there will be a slight wait to see the movie as it is set to premiere towards the end of 2026, during Hallmark’s 17th annual Countdown to Christmas programming event.”

News 13’s “Comment Bubble” appearing after its story included the following assertions:

• ClareDK — “My email was returned as undeliverable. Is anyone else having the same issue?”

•FranSanfisco — “The last Hallmark movie that filmed at the Biltmore had so many applicants to be extras, they had to stop taking applications. It sticks in my mind that there were close to 8,000 people interested. I know this has been posted in some Facebook groups for people who do this kind of work, so my hunch is that so many people have already applied that the email inbox is full, with it being a holiday. But, just a guess.” 

• TheOracle — “Would imagine there’ll be a lot of ‘connected’ folks getting their friends and family on the set.” 

• StableGenius — “Jealous?”