DANIELLE PANABAKER AND MATT LONG STAR IN "CHRISTMAS JOY," A HALLMARK CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE, PART OF THE TOP-RATED COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS PROGRAM EVENT

Film is Based on the Bestselling Novel by Nancy Naigle

STUDIO CITY, CA - April 24, 2018 - Hallmark Channel announces Danielle Panabaker ("The Flash") and Matt Long ("Timeless") are set to star in "Christmas Joy," a Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere for Holiday 2018. "Christmas Joy" is part of the network's #1-rated program event, COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS. Hallmark Channel is historically the #1 television network in all of Q4.

"Danielle Panabaker is known for quality work in a number of genres, and we are especially grateful to have her on our air this Christmas," said Michelle Vicary, EVP, Programming & Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks.

"Danielle and Matt Long deliver lively performances in this romantic comedy about love in a small town at Christmastime, all while capturing the theme of Nancy Naigle's bestselling novel which is that the magic of Christmas will open your heart and bring you everlasting joy," Vicary concluded.

In "Christmas Joy," Joy Holbrook (Panabaker) is a keenly intelligent market researcher with an eye on her company's top account and garnering a sweet promotion just in time for the holidays. Just as Joy is capturing the attention of the account's CEO, she receives a call from her Aunt Ruby's best friend back home in Crystal Falls, NC. Ruby has broken her ankle and needs surgery. Though the timing couldn't be worse, Joy immediately comes to her Aunt's bedside only to be reunited with former crush, now hospital administrator, Ben Andrews (Long), son of Ruby's best friend Shirley. Joy also must navigate Ruby's stubborn determination to be in control of everything, including the town's legendary annual Cookie Crawl, a walking home tour where owners display holiday decorations and treat each other to Christmas cookies all while vying to win the prized Golden Wreath Award. To keep Ruby focused on healing, Joy volunteers to take her aunt's place as chair of the Cookie Crawl much to the amusement of Ben who knows Joy has no idea of the Herculean task before her. Though Joy initially refuses Ben's attempts to "co-captain," she begins to soften and let him in, all the while remembering that there truly is no place like home for the holidays.

Christmas Joy is a Silver Bells Production Ltd. Vicki Sotheran and Greg Malcolm are Producers. Monika Mitchell directs from a script written by Jennifer Maisel and Tracy Andreen. "Christmas Joy" is based on the bestselling novel by Nancy Naigle.