Mae Whitman Compares "Twelve Dates 'Til Christmas" Role to Lauren Graham's Experience on "Gilmore Girls" (Exclusive)

Mae Whitman takes the spotlight in Hallmarks Twelve Dates 'Til Christmas, portraying Kate, a textile pattern designer seeking love in a quaint English town. The series, inspired by Jenny Bayliss' 2020 novel The Twelve Dates of Christmas, premieres its first two episodes on Friday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. ET.

Whitman, 37, shared that the role felt like stepping into a Hollywood fairy tale, drawing parallels to her best friend Lauren Grahams iconic experience on Gilmore Girls. She said the project offered a liberating environment, free of pressure or pretense, allowing her to fully embrace the story and the festive atmosphere on set in Ireland.

Its refreshing to work on something where you can simply enjoy the moment, surrounded by twinkling lights, without overthinking or stressing, Whitman explained. She compared the feeling to the professional joy Graham experienced on Gilmore Girls, describing it as a Mecca of that fairy-tale feeling.

In the film, Kate is gently persuaded by her friends Laura (Lucy Eaton) and Callum (Julian Morris) to join a holiday matchmaking program, designed to help her break free from her routine. The journey takes an unexpected turn when she meets someone who reignites her zest for life, while also dealing with the sudden arrival of her mother Delilah (Mary McDonnell), which complicates her holiday plans and her fathers (Nathaniel Parker) budding romance with a local widow (Jane Seymour).

Whitman relocated to Ireland with her infant son, Miles, for filming, describing the experience as a real treat. She reflected on the contrast between her past dramatic roles, including the intense series Good Girls, and the lighthearted, enchanting nature of this Hallmark project. Doing something so joyful and beautiful is a rare gift as an actor, both in terms of the story and the amazing crew, she said.

The first two episodes of Twelve Dates 'Til Christmas air Friday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark.

Author: Olivia Parker