Hallmark to Premiere 'The More the Merrier' Featuring Heart Health Advocates

The Hallmark Channel has officially announced the debut of its newest holiday feature, 'The More the Merrier,' as part of its annual 'Countdown to Christmas' programming slate. Viewers can tune in for the premiere on November 28, 2025.

Peter Benson is directing this festive film. The narrative centers on two dedicated physicians who find themselves unexpectedly snowed in at a remote hospital just before Christmas. This severe weather event triggers an unforeseen surge in expectant mothers needing care. Starring Rachel Boston and Brendan Penny, the lead characters must collaborate to manage the ensuing crisis while simultaneously navigating a developing personal connection.

What sets this movie apart is the incorporation of genuine patient experiences. The film will feature cameo appearances by members of the Abbott HeartMates community—individuals who have successfully managed significant cardiovascular illnesses. This marks a significant first for Hallmark, integrating actual cardiac patients into the storyline. Among the notable special guests confirmed is former professional football player and cardiac arrest survivor, Damar Hamlin, who serves as an ambassador for the HeartMates organization.

Five children and teenagers belonging to the HeartMates community participated in filming a scene shot in Buffalo, New York, the very location where Hamlin previously met with them. The Abbott HeartMates initiative, established by Abbott, aims to combat the profound sense of isolation frequently experienced by those battling heart disease, a condition affecting upwards of 100 million Americans. In the film, a teenage character named David draws inspiration from a real-life community member, 17-year-old Zeke Makins from Dallas. Makins underwent open-heart surgery at age 12 to receive an Abbott Masters mechanical valve.

The movie will also highlight the journeys of other HeartMates participants. This includes 10-year-old Tony Daley from Las Vegas, who received an Abbott Amplatzer Piccolo occluder, and 16-year-old Jaiden Hartley from Chicago, who was implanted with an ELVO device prior to receiving a transplant. To ensure medical accuracy resonated throughout the production, cardiologists and experts from Abbott provided consultation during the script development process.

'The More the Merrier' is scheduled to debut on Friday, November 28, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. For those who miss the initial broadcast, the movie will become available for streaming on the Hallmark+ platform beginning the following day, November 29.