IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!

"GOOD WITCH" STAR CATHERINE BELL BEGINS PRODUCTION ON "12 DAYS" NEW, ORIGINAL MOVIE TO PREMIERE IN 2017 DURING "COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS" ON HALLMARK CHANNEL

Eric Close ("Nashville," "Suits") Also Stars

STUDIO CITY, CA - February 28, 2017 - Production has begun on "12 Days" (wt), a new, original movie premiering in 2017 during "Countdown to Christmas," Hallmark Channel's popular, annual programming event that earned record ratings in 2016. Starring Catherine Bell ("Good Witch," "Army Wives") and Eric Close ("Nashville," "Suits"), the film is shooting on location in and around Vancouver, British Columbia.

"The network has achieved great success thanks to Catherine Bell's beloved portrayal of Cassie Nightingale in the 'Good Witch' movie franchise that has now a highly rated, weekly series that's a cornerstone of our Sunday night strategy," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. "Our viewers are used to seeing Catherine at Halloween and we're thrilled they'll now be able enjoy her talents during Christmas as she creates a new, memorable role they're sure to fall in love with."

Switching gears from her role as Cassie Nightingale, the raven-haired enchantress at the heart of "Good Witch," Bell plays Lydia, a successful, no-nonsense professional organizer, who works a different kind of magic by helping clients take control of their lives. Possibly one of her more challenging - albeit charming - cases is Robert (Close), a harried toy inventor who is a widower with two kids. He has just 12 days to get his life in order before making a big pitch to a major retailer - and hosting a home-cooked holiday feast for the client at his house, which is in disarray and not holiday-ready. As the two work side-by-side and Lydia helps transform Robert's life, she learns giving up some control can be a good thing and that sometimes opposites do attract.

"12 Days" is from Crown Media Productions. Vicki Sotheran is executive producer. Martin Wood directs from a script by Janna King.