Nikki DeLoach and Kristoffer Polaha Are 'Beyond Excited' to Lead Grand Ole Opry-Set Hallmark Christmas Movie (Exclusive)
Nikki DeLoach and Kristoffer Polaha are starring in Hallmark Channel's 2025 Christmas movie celebrating the Grand Ole Opry's centennial
Brad Paisley is writing original music for the film, which he will perform
"I am honored and beyond excited," Polaha tells PEOPLE of the movieChristmas is going country on Hallmark Channel once again — but this time, there are more than 100 reasons to celebrate.
Nikki DeLoach and Kristoffer Polaha are set to star in A Grand Ole Opry Christmas later this year. The movie will celebrate the season as well as the iconic Grand Ole Opry country music radio show, which turns 100 later this year. And it will be set in and around the famed Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
'I am honored and beyond excited to help celebrate the Grand Ole Opry's 100th birthday with Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas this year," Polaha tells PEOPLE. "This beautifully written script sets the stage for an entertaining and heartwarming collaboration between these two amazing American institutions, and Brad Paisley is bringing the music to this party — are you kidding?!"
Indeed, Grammy winner and Opry member Brad Paisley is writing original music for the film and will also perform. He'll also write and record the official anthem for the network's 2025 Countdown to Christmas.
The movie, which Hallmark describes as "a magical trip across time" (something Polaha knows a thing or two about after starring in 2023's A Biltmore Christmas), will also feature artists from the Opry's star-studded cast.
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The movie's official synopsis reads: "Gentry Woods (DeLoach), daughter of late country music icon Jett Woods — half of the famed duo Winter and Woods — abandoned her dream of a songwriting career and distanced herself from her father's legacy following his tragic car accident 30 years prior. When the Grand Ole Opry invites her to represent Jett at their centennial celebration at Christmas, she's hesitant to return to the place steeped in bittersweet memories.
"Encouraged by her good friends, Gentry visits the Opry and, while seated in one of the vaunted venue's oak church pews, is suddenly transported to 1995. Gentry's lifelong friend Mac (Polaha), a country music talent manager, finds himself in 1995 as well. Thanks to some Christmas magic, Gentry gets precious time with her father, creative inspiration to finish the song she began decades earlier as a teen and learns surprising answers to questions about her father that have followed her for the last three decades."
Polaha notes: "This is going to be a very special movie for families to enjoy this holiday season, and I can't wait to help bring it to life along with our incredible director, Clare Niederpruem, and the rest of the crew.'
While it's unclear whether or not DeLoach or Polaha will be singing in this film, Polaha has shared videos of himself singing with his family and DeLoach performed alongside Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake on The All New Mickey Mouse Club and was in the pop group Innosense.
"This film is also special to me because it's my first holiday movie with my dear friend Nikki DeLoach whom I have known since our time together on North Shore," Polaha says. "She is a force of nature and one of my dearest friends."
"I am over the moon about it," DeLoach wrote on Instagram about the film.
'As the Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 100th birthday this year, this is the perfect time for us to partner with this beloved, iconic American institution and create Christmas magic together,' Darren Abbott, Hallmark's chief brand officer, said in a statement. 'Nikki and Kris are fan favorites and we know they will beautifully bring to life this emotional and heartfelt story that is sure to become an instant classic.'
"Having the incredibly talented Brad Paisley write and perform original music for the movie is what Christmas dreams are made of,' Abbott added.
'The Hallmark Channel to me is a major part of finding the joy and the spirit of the holidays,' Paisley said in a statement. (His wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, has appeared in several Hallmark movies herself.) 'We turn it on and leave it on in our house like Christmas tree lights or decorations, it's a major part of the atmosphere for us. I loved the challenge of creating that same magic with this music by letting it take you to the same place that these movies and this world Hallmark has built. Can't wait for you to hear what all we've done. Also, knowing the Opry is the setting for one of these movies is very inspiring.'
'Our goal in this milestone year is to put the Opry, its artists and the rich songwriting traditions that have made country music a global sensation in front of more people than ever before,' Colin Reed, executive chairman of Ryman Hospitality Properties, the Opry's parent company, said in a statement. 'Our partnership with Hallmark brings these elements to life this holiday season through a creative and uplifting take on a uniquely Nashville story.'
A Grand Ole Opry Christmas will air later this year as part of Hallmark Channel's 16th annual Countdown to Christmas.
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