Hallmark’s Wes Brown on feeling separated from fans

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Hallmark Channel’s Wes Brown

When much-loved Hallmark Channel star Wes Brown directs a new movie, the star says it’s easy to feel disconnected from the viewers the movies were made for. So meeting loyal fans reminds him why he does what he does.

Brown, who stars in Hallmark’s hit new film Haul Out the Holly with Lacey Chabert, made a surprise appearance during an Instagram Live session with the founders of on November 30, 2022 christmas con, an annual Christmas convention for fans of the Hallmark Channel and related networks like Lifetime and Great American Family, offering an opportunity to meet the stars they love. Brown explained why it is so special for him and his colleagues to be able to attend these gatherings and meet some of their most loyal viewers.

Wes Brown says film shoots can take place “in the middle of nowhere.”

MarkWes Brown and Lacey Chabert star in “Haul Out the Holly” on Hallmark Channel

Ahead of his appearance at ChristmasCon in New Jersey on December 9-11, Brown said he loves seeing and connecting with fans at events like this because of the rewards of filming away from home.

“It’s really surreal, you know, sometimes when we’re making these movies we’re kind of in the middle of nowhere. It’s just us,” he said.

“And then to see the impact, so many months later and even years later, when they bring up a movie that we did a year, two, more than three years ago,” he continued, speaking of that Reactions from fans to his and to see the work of colleagues. “I think that’s the best thing about seeing how many people come to these things to let you know what traditions you’ve created in their lives and so many memories. You don’t really see that or get a taste of it when you film on location sometimes.”

The other perk of attending fan conventions, Brown said, is the chance to reconnect with some of his fellow cast members.

He said: “A lot of the people that are part of these networks and films, we’re all really good friends but we live in different parts of the country, sometimes the world. It’s a big giant family, it really is. We don’t just say that. It’s really, really special to bring everyone together.”

In addition to Brown and Chabert, Christmas Con stars making appearances at panel discussions, autograph sessions and film screenings include Hallmark Channel favorites Jonathan Bennett, Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, Paul Greene and Nikki DeLoach.

Wes Brown’s high after the success of “Haul Out the Holly”.

Brown appeared on Christmas Con Instagram Live to surprise fans with the news that there will be a special screening of “Haul Out the Holly,” complete with red carpet arrivals during the convention. The film, which premiered on Hallmark Channel on November 26, was a ratings blockbuster for the network.

“We’re really proud of this film,” he said. “We just got our numbers back and are so excited at how well it worked, how well it was received.”

According to Hallmark Media, the film was the year’s most-watched film on ad-supported cable television among key demographics. That means it had the best Thanksgiving weekend ratings of any commercial cable network in 2022 across key demographic groups: women ages 25 to 54, women ages 18 to 49, and women and people age 18 up to 34 years.

“Haul Out the Holly” will air again on Hallmark Channel at the following times: