Mae Whitman Relocates Overseas Solo With Her 4-Month-Old for Her New Show—It Was 'Traumatic' & 'Beautiful'

Mae Whitman embarked on a journey to Ireland to film Hallmark Channels Twelve Dates Til Christmas just four months after giving birth, navigating the challenges of being alone in a foreign country with her newborn son. It was incredibly overwhelming, she reflects. I didnt have my partner with me, as he was still working in the United States.

Whitman welcomed her son, Miles, with actor Carlos Valdes in August 2024. Soon after, she found herself separated from him by an ocean, describing the period as emotionally intense and delicate. It was my first time truly living outside the U.S. with a baby, she recalls. I had to figure out how to care for my child while adjusting to life in a completely new country and balancing a demanding TV shoot.

Despite the initial fear and vulnerability, Whitman ultimately describes the experience as profoundly rewarding. Her time on the Hallmark set became one of her most cherished professional experiences. Between Irish Sea swims and playful costume events, she found reassurance and joy. The kindness of people in Ireland was remarkable, she says. I started from a place of fragility, but eventually, I felt empowered, supported, and truly cherished.

The cast and crews patience and organization allowed Whitman to care for her baby, breastfeed, and still enjoy the camaraderie on set. Mothers are expected to do so much, so I feel fortunate I could have my child with me, she adds, highlighting the importance of community in early motherhood. She praises the generosity of locals, who provided support and a sense of care throughout her stay.

The joy Whitman experienced on set is reflected in Twelve Dates Til Christmas, a six-episode series airing on Hallmark Channel, with two episodes premiering each Friday from December 3 to December 19. She portrays Kate, a textile designer in an English village whose friends enroll her in a 12 Dates Til Christmas matchmaking program. As she navigates new connections, Kates mother unexpectedly arrives, shaking up her holiday season.

What I loved about Kate is that shes not desperate for someone else to define her happiness, Whitman explains. Shes on a journey of self-discovery, which adds a unique perspective to a holiday romance story.

Author: Lucas Grant