Hallmark’s Grand Ole Opry Christmas Movie Adds Sharon Lawrence, James Denton

Hallmark‘s “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas” has rounded out its cast with four new additions: Sharon Lawrence, James Denton, Rob Mayes and Luke Benward.

The movie marks the first collaboration between the Hallmark Channel and the Grand Ole Opry and began production in Nashville, Tenn. last week. Nikki DeLoach leads the cast as Gentry Wade, the daughter of late country music icon Jett Wade (Mayes). Jett was one half of the famed music duo with Von Winters (Denton in the present day, Benward in the past).

Per the official description, Gentry “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 (Kristoffer 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.”

Lawrence portrays Rita, Jett Wade’s cousin, who has remained closed with Gentry and encourages her to accept the Opry’s invitation to participate in their Christmas special, where they’re honoring Winters & Wade.

The movie, which will debut during Hallmark’s 16th annual Countdown to Christmas, also celebrates the Opry’s 100th year. Brad Paisley is set to write original music for the film and will perform. Additional cameos include Bill Anderson, Rhett Akins, Megan Moroney, Jamey Johnson, Dailey & Vincent, Drew Baldridge, Maggie Baugh, Suzy Bogguss, Mickey Guyton, Pam Tillis, Riders in the Sky and Tigirlily Gold.