ACCLAIMED ACTORS KRISTIN DAVIS, ERIC McCORMACK, SHIRLEY MacLAINE TO STAR IN NEW, ORIGINAL HALLMARK HALL OF FAME FILM "CHRISTMAS ANGEL IN TRAINING" PREMIERING EXCLUSIVELY ON HALLMARK CHANNEL NOVEMBER 26

First Hallmark Hall of Fame to be Produced by Network's Crown Media Productions; Hallmark Channel Celebrates 65th Anniversary Of TV's Longest-Running and Most Award-Winning Series

STUDIO CITY, CA -- September 15, 2016 -- Hallmark Channel proudly announces the stellar cast of the new, original Hallmark Hall of Fame movie "Christmas Angel in Training," including Emmy Award nominee Kristin Davis ("Sex In The City"), Emmy Award winner Eric McCormack ("Will & Grace"), and Academy Award ("Terms of Endearment"), five-time Golden Globe Award ("Terms of Endearment"), and Emmy Award-winning actress Shirley MacLaine ("Gypsy In My Soul").

The movie, which will premiere exclusively on Hallmark Channel Saturday, November 26 (8 p.m. ET/PT), is the first in the Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise to be produced by Hallmark Channel's Crown Media Productions, and marks the 255th film in the vaunted movie franchise. The film will be a featured part of Hallmark Channel's #1-rated "Countdown to Christmas" annual programming event as the network celebrates the 65TH anniversary of the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame, the longest-running and most award-winning series in the history of television.

"The casting of Kristin Davis, Eric McCormack, and the legendary Shirley MacLaine in 'Christmas Angel in Training' imbues this great holiday story with the high star quality that has been the legacy of Hallmark Hall of Fame for 65 years," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks.

"Likely to become an instant holiday classic, the film is an upbeat, screwball comedy about a young woman who is plucked out of her life just a moment too soon, and is led by her guardian angel on a journey of what her life could have been. Kristin and Eric are a marvelous pairing, and, with Shirley MacLaine on Cloud Nine, viewers are sure to have a heavenly Christmas," Vicary added.

Upon her untimely death, Eve Morgan (Davis), a workaholic finds herself tethered to her guardian angel (MacLaine) learning to become a Christmas angel in Heaven. Despite being the worst recruit in the history of Christmas, Eve is assigned the difficult task of helping a struggling singer Max (McCormack) use his musical gifts to heal old family wounds. As Max begins to overcome his issues, Eve begins to embrace the meaning of Christmas, heal wounds of her own, and perhaps find love along the way.

Executive Producers for "Christmas Angel in Training" are Jack Grossbart and Linda Kent. Harvey Kahn is producer. Paul Shapiro directs from the original teleplay written by Gregg McBride and Tippi & Neal Dobrofsky. Angelic Productions Ltd. is the production company on behalf of Crown Media Productions.

ABOUT HALLMARK CHANNEL

Hallmark Channel is Crown Media Family Networks' flagship 24-hour cable television network, distributed nationwide in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to 90 million homes. As the country's leading destination for quality family entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. In addition to its signature new, original movies, the network features an ambitious lineup of other new, original content, including scripted primetime series, such as "Good Witch," "When Calls the Heart" and "Chesapeake Shores"; annual specials including "Kitten Bowl" and "Hero Dog Awards"; and a daily, two-hour lifestyle show, "Home & Family." Additionally, Hallmark Channel is the exclusive home to world premiere presentations of the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate life's special moments, Hallmark Channel also offers annual holiday programming franchises, including "Countdown to Christmas," "Countdown to Valentine's Day," "Summer Nights," "Fall Harvest" and "Winterfest." Rounding out the network's diverse slate are some of television's most beloved comedies and series, including "The Golden Girls," "The Middle," "Last Man Standing," and "Frasier." Hallmark Cards, Inc. owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks. Hallmark Channel on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube