Alison Sweeney Calls Holiday Planning 'So Hard' with Son Off at College as She Marks 30th Hallmark Film (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

This Time Each Yearnot only marks Hallmark Mystery’s first holiday movie of the 2024 season, but the new film will be alsoAlison Sweeney’s 30th with Hallmark.

“When they told me, I was shocked,” Sweeney, 48, tells PEOPLE of the milestone. “I did not think it was 30 movies, so that’s amazing and exciting. I’m so proud of, especially that it’sThis Time Each Year, because it shows the evolution of my experience and my relationship at Hallmark and the growth that Hallmark has shown through the last decade.”

Sweeney considers kicking offHallmark Mystery’s slate of Christmas moviesan honor, too. “I’m thrilled to be the flag bearer,” she says. “I think it is a great way to launch the season so that people see a little bit of everything in their Christmas fun."

Sweeney got her Hallmark start in 2013 withSecond Chancesalso starring Greg Vaughan. InThis Time Each Year, Sweeney plays Lauren McCall, a mom trying to navigate co-parenting her son Charlie with her estranged husband Kevin (Niall Matter) despite his insistence on reuniting their family nearly one year after their separation.

In a PEOPLE exclusive clip fromThis Time Each Year, Lauren tells Kevin that she still hasn’t informed her mom about their separation. But Sweeney teases that Lauren and Kevin’s “nosy family” does get involved in their relationship eventually.

“They do love each other, they don’t want to walk away, but they have to navigate that,” the actress says. “And you can’t pretend like what happened last year wasn’t a thing. She’s frustrated and he’s trying to smooth it over like, ‘Let’s just let it go.’ And she’s like, ‘That’s definitely not going to work.’”

Niall Matter and Alison Sweeney in ‘The Time Each Year’.Courtesy Lighthouse Productions/2024 Hallmark Media

Courtesy Lighthouse Productions/2024 Hallmark Media

Along with trying to keep his family intact and make sure holiday spirits stay high,Kevin remains focused on his sobriety as he approaches his one-year anniversary of not drinking alcohol.

“To have Kevin coming up on celebrating his one-year sober anniversary was a really important way for us to tell that story because it does create tension and obstacles at the holidays,” Sweeney says. “As much as we love Christmas, Christmas can be a tension filled thing for families. That’s when people say that’s the hardest time of year [to stay sober]. You want it to be the best Christmas ever, and then real life happens, and I think a lot of people are going to relate to that.”

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Despite the challenges the McCalls face this holiday season, Sweeney says she wants “to be in that family."

Laura Soltis (left) and Alison Sweeney in ‘The Time Each Year’.Courtesy Lighthouse Productions/2024 Hallmark Media

“I love these people,” she says. “They’re so amazing, and they’re funny, and they’re outrageous. I think it’s going to really draw the audience in and make you feel for these people.”

Sweeney anticipates her own holiday season looking a little bit different this year with her sonBenoff at college.

“It’s so hard,” Sweeney says. “We’re planning stuff, and then I have to text him and say, ‘So, when do you want to come home? How long you thinking of staying here?’ He’s got a whole new life, but we’re so excited to have him come home for Thanksgiving, and then we’ll plan Christmas. But we’re living vicariously for him, letting him have this great new life out in Texas, and we’re thrilled for him.”

The Hallmark star recalls a particularly memorable Christmas with Ben when he was around 5 years old.

“My favorite Christmas story for him is when he woke up on Christmas morning and Santa had totally transformed his room into aStar Warsroom,” Sweeney shares. “There wasStar Warsbedding he slept in and stuff on the walls. I had my camera and got a video of him just like, ‘Wow.’ He was so young and so sweet and sincere, the magic of Santa just really blew his mind. That is a memory I will treasure forever.”

Alison Sweeney.Pooya Nabei/2024 Hallmark Media

Pooya Nabei/2024 Hallmark Media

Today, Sweeney feels “so grateful” for this moment in her life.

“It’s my first time working with Niall, my first time leading off the Christmas movie launch in October and my 30th movie with the network,” she says. “I feel so blessed and lucky.”

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This Time Each Yearpremieres Thursday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Mystery.

source: people.com