A Guide to Hallmark Channel’s Leading Men: Photos (2024)

Calling all dreamboats! Over the years, Hallmark Channel has cemented itself as the go-to network for feel-good films, holiday magic and a handsome lineup of leading men.Whether it’s the hunks from When Calls the Heart — including Paul Greene, Kevin McGarry and Chris McNally — or the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries franchise heroes, including Niall Matter and Kris Polaha, fans always have eye candy to look at.Tyler Hynes, for example, has portrayed the perfect suitor in more than 10 films for the network since 2018. Cameron Mathison, on the other hand, became a staple for Hallmark in 2013 when he started cohosting the talk show Home & Family — in between his role as a detective on the revamped Hannah Swensen Mysteries films.Candace Cameron Bure has a long history with some of the dreamiest men Hallmark has to offer (as one of the channel’s leading ladies), but there are still a few who she hasn’t fallen for on screen — yet.“This is exclusive — I’m not going to tell you who it is, but I’m getting [my dream Hallmark costar] for my Christmas movie this year,” the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries star exclusively told Us Weekly in August 2021. “My grandmother’s dream is for me and Andrew Walker to do a Hallmark movie together.”When it comes to which of her former costars she has the best chemistry with, the Fuller House alum has a lot to choose from.[jwplayer wMdRuQfE-zhNYySv2]“Let me start thinking of all my leading men. I do have to say that [I have] a couple of funny ones,” Cameron Bure explained. “Warren Christie, who was in my movie from last year, I loved working with him, and we do have another movie plan that we’re going to work together again. That’s how great it was.” (The former child star announced in April 2022 that she signed an exclusive deal with Great American Media and has since stopped working Hallmark Media.)The Hallmark Channel has also catapulted many of its actors to superstardom through the years, which was the case with Jesse Metcalfe. The John Tucker Must Die star has worked in Hollywood for decades, but his time on Chesapeake Shores gave him an even bigger following.“Hallmark has been so amazing to me. They’ve just been so supportive and collaborative, and I’ve never really had that with any other network,” Metcalfe exclusively said during an October 2020 appearance on Us’ “Watch With Us” podcast. “They treat their talent incredibly well. So, I love working with them and for them. I’m definitely pretty picky with what I do on the network now. And I’m thankful I have the liberty to do that.”Although the Desperate Housewives alum announced his exit from the series in March 2021, the network revealed that he will still be a part of its film projects.“We look forward to continuing to work with him on projects, including original movies on Hallmark Channel,” the network said in a statement to Us at the time. “In addition, we are currently in development on another movie in the [Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries] series.”Scroll down for your ultimate guide to the Hallmark Channel’s leading men:

Walker kicked off his time with the network in 2012 with A Bride for Christmas and Finding Mrs. Claus. By 2016, he was up to three leading roles in one year, which increased to four hits in both 2017 and 2018. The Canada native’s holiday hits include Snowed-Inn Christmas, Christmas on My Mind,Christmas Tree Lane and Three Wise Men and a Baby. In 2022, Walker made his Hallmark Movies & Mysteries debut in the first A Curious Caterer Mystery film.

Top Movies: Bridal Wave, Appetite for Love, The Perfect Catch, My Secret Valentine, A Christmas in Tennessee, Bottled With Love, Sweet Autumn,The 27-Hour Day and Three Wise Men and a Baby.

Hallmark Signature: Sporty, pretty boy who is passionate about all of his different ventures, including becoming a high school baseball coach when his career as a pitcher is no more in The Perfect Catch.

Bennett made his Hallmark debut in 2010’s Elevator Girl. Eight years later, he landed his first lead role for the network with 2018’s Christmas Made to Order. The Ohio native shook up the Hallmark landscape in 2020 when he played the openly gay character, Brandon Mitchell, in The Christmas House. He reprised the role the following year with The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls. In 2022, Bennett made Hallmark history by starring as Sam in The Holiday Sitter, marking the network’s first gay lead couple in a Christmas movie.

Top Movies: Christmas Made to Order, The Christmas House, Wedding of a Lifetime, The Holiday Sitter.

Hallmark Signature: Bennett’s characters are upbeat, funny and usually over the top when it comes to their holiday spirit. His leading roles tend to be intense, competitive men who are trying to balance it all.

Hynes has been a Hallmark Channel staple since his debut in 2018’s Falling for You. He portrayed Zac Malone, a visiting businessman who gets roped into participating in a local bachelor bake-off hosted by radio host Lacey (Taylor Cole). The Canada native’s holiday films include, It’s Christmas, Eve, On the 12th Date of Christmasand 2022's Three Wise Men and a Baby.

Top Movies: Flip That Romance, The Mistletoe Secret,It’s Christmas, Eve, Wedding March 5: My Boyfriend’s Back, Winter in Vail, It Was Always You,Sweet Carolina and Three Wise Men and a Baby.

Hallmark Signature: The down to earth, everyman with a bit of scruff and edge who manages to fit seamlessly with every Hallmark Channel heroine no matter what her type.

The General Hospital alum appeared in his first TV movie for the network, Unleashing Mr. Darcy, while still starring on the soap opera. He reprised his role as the dashing businessman Donovan Darcy in 2018’s Marrying Mr. Darcy. The California native’s first holiday film on Hallmark was released the same year, Hope at Christmas. He has since appeared in 2019’s Christmas at the Plaza, 2020’s A Timeless Christmas, 2021’s Coyote Creek Christmas and 2022’s A Fabled Holiday.

Top Movies: Mr. Darcy films, Harvest Love, From Friend to Fiancé, A Summer Romance, Christmas at the Plaza, A Timeless Christmas,A Little Daytime Drama and Coyote Creek Christmas.

Hallmark Signature: The blue-eyed actor comes off as somewhat snooty at the beginning of most of his movies but manages to charm both the leading lady and the audience by the end.

The Battlestar Galactica alum kicked off his time on the network with 2013 holiday film Window Wonderland, where his character, Jake Dooley, competes with Sloan Van Doren (Chyler Leigh) to win the job of department-store winder decorator ahead of Christmas. He followed that up with Once Upon a Holiday and A Godwink Christmas. The Vancouver native often stars alongside Kimberley Sustad, including starring in the 2020 hit Wedding Every Weekend. The duo have also written multiple Hallmark movies together, such as 2022’s Three Wise Men and a Baby.

Top Movies: Surprised by Love, Sun, Sand & Romance, The Last Bridesmaid, Wedding Every Weekend,Christmas by Starlight and Three Wise Men and a Baby.

Hallmark Signature: The loveable goofball who you instantly want to call your best friend.

The All My Children alum has been a leading man for the network since 2013’s The Christmas Ornament. Mathison starred in Holidaze and Along Came a Nanny before taking on the role of Detective Mike Kingston in the Murder, She Baked mysteries franchise alongside Alison Sweeney. He reprised his role in 2021’s Hannah Swensen Mysteries, which is the beginning of an all-new series of films surrounding Mike and his love Hannah Swensen (Sweeney). The former soap star cohosted Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family from 2013 to 2021.

While he hasn’t made an exclusive deal with either network, Mathison starred in Great American Family’s 2022 hit A Merry Christmas Wish. He didn’t appear in any Hallmark holiday films that year.

Top Movies: A Christmas to Remember, Murder, She Baked, At Home in Mitford, A Summer to Remember and The Christmas Club.

Hallmark Signature: Mr. everything, Mathison gravitates toward handsome authority figures who can make viewers melt as soon as he opens his mouth.

Elliott popped up on the channel in 2008’s The Nanny Express. Four years later, he appeared in both Cupid, Inc. and Kiss at Pine Lake. The Calgary, Canada, native cemented himself as Hallmark staple by playing Warren Saget on Cedar Cove from 2013 to 2015. Elliott is best known for working alongside Lacey Chabert in the All of My Heart trilogy and playing Lieutenant Logan O’Connor in the Murders and Mysteries series, The Crossword Mysteries.

Top Movies: All of My Heart, Flower Shop Mysteries, Love You Like Christmas, All Summer Long and Christmas in Vienna.

Hallmark Signature: A smart, intriguing man who appears to be somewhat of a know-it-all until he gets to know his love interest and then he eases back.

The Brothers & Sisters alum earned his Hallmark Channel hunk status with 2014’s Hallmark Murders and Mysteries’ The Memory Book. The following year, he appeared in Christmas Land alongside Nikki DeLoach. The Canadian actor then starred in The Mistletoe Promise, A Shoe Addict’s Christmas and Chateau Christmas, becoming a go-to lead for the holiday season.

Top Movies: The Birthday Wish, Just Add Romance, Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen, A Valentine’s Match,Taking a Shot at Love and A Magical Christmas Village.

Hallmark Signature: Kindhearted and easy to talk to, Macfarlane always plays the hometown hero viewers are rooting to see find his true love.

Matter made a splash as Clay Castleberry, a meddling man determined to stop a bride and groom from getting married, in 2016’s Stop the Wedding. He followed up the role with the holiday film Finding Father Christmas. Matter also had a recurring role as Shane Cantrell on When Calls the Heart before reprising his role as Ian McAndrick in Engaging Father Christmas and Marrying Father Christmas. The Canada native’s most memorable Hallmark role is playing Nick Miller, Aurora Teagarden’s (Cameron Bure) love interest, in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries movie franchise.

Top Movies: Frozen in Love, Christmas Pen Pals, Christmas at Dollywood (alongside Danica McKellar), Country at Heart, Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater and Aurora Teagarden Mysteries.

Hallmark Signature: Matter-of-fact man who wins over fans with his sweet personality and intellect.

Penny made his Hallmark Channel debut in 2014’s Along Came a Nanny. His first Christmas role came one year later with ‘Tis the Season for Love. The Canadian actor went on to portray Nate DeLuca, a vintner who is in love with rival winemaker Frankie Baldwin (Rachael Leigh Cook), in Autumn in the Vineyard and its two sequels. Penny played Kevin O’Brien on Chesapeake Shores from 2016 to 2022.

Top Movies: Magical Christmas Ornaments, A Dash of Love, Valentine in the Vineyard, Easter Under Wraps, The Secret Ingredient and The Charm Bracelet.

Hallmark Signature: Penny often plays a calm, collected and confident character who isn’t quick to show his emotions, but eventually lets everyone in.

The Life Unexpected alum starred alongside Meghan Markle in his first romance movie for the network, Dater’s Handbook, which premiered in 2016. Polaha then appeared in Hearts of Christmas and Small Town Christmas. The Nevada native has been portraying Detective Travis Burke in Hallmark Murders and Mysteries’ Mystery 101 series. In the film franchise, he solves a variety of crimes with the help of college professor Amy Winslow (Jill Wagner). In 2022, Polaha starred in two holiday movies for the network, We Wish You a Married Christmas and Haul Out the Holly.

Top Movies: Rocky Mountain Christmas, Pearl in Paradise, Double Holiday and the Mystery 101 franchise.

Hallmark Signature: A tall, dark and handsome character with a hint of mystery.

McGarry originally appeared on the network in 2015’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered: From Paris With Love. His first leading role came two years later with Love at First Bark. The same year, he made his holiday film debut as a musician in A Song for Christmas. In 2019, the Canada actor began portraying Mountie Nathan Grant, who is part of Elizabeth’s (Erin Krakow) love triangle, on When Calls the Heart. Three years later, McGarry upped his Hallmark movie status by starring in The Wedding Veil trilogy, Feeling Butterflies and My Grown-Up Christmas List.

Top Movies: Love at First Bark, Winter Castle, Winter Love Story,Christmas Scavenger Hunt, Feeling Butterflies and My Grown-Up Christmas List.

Hallmark Signature: A handsome and playful suitor with a love of the outdoors.

Fans first met McNally as a supporting character in 2016’s Hearts of Christmas. His first leading role was as Nate, the charming first love of cupcake maker Maddie (Julie Gonzalo) in 2018’s The Sweetest Heart. The following year, McNally landed the role of Lucas Bouchard, the owner of Queen of Hearts and one of Elizabeth’s two suitors, on When Calls the Heart. McNally has continued to become a Hallmark favorite starring in 2021’s Snowkissed and 2022’s A Tail of Love and Christmas Class Reunion.

Top Movies: Sweetest Heart, A Winter Princess, Sailing Into Love,Snowkissed and A Tail of Love.

Hallmark Signature: Hard working adventurer who is always working on a new and exciting venture.

The Mutant X alum won over Hallmark fans in 2012’s Puppy Love. In the film, Webster’s Ben agrees to split ownership of his dog with Megan (Cameron Bure) and her daughter after the pup accidentally gets adopted by the mother-daughter pair. After starring on Continuum from 2012 to 2015, the Canada native returned to the network in 2016’s Summer Villa and has been a staple ever since. In 2019, he made his debut as Detective Kyle Cooper alongside McKellar’s Angie Dove in the Matchmaker Mysteries series. He has since starred in 2022’s The Wedding Veil Legacy and A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe.

Top Movies: Home for Christmas Day, A Harvest Wedding, Hearts of Winter, Five Star Christmas,Matchmaker Mysteries and A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe.

Hallmark Signature: Webster gravitates toward moody, athletic characters who can only find love once they’ve let their walls down.

The Big Time Rush singer made the move from Nickelodeon to Hallmark with the help of his wife, Alexa PenaVega. The couple costarred in 2017’s Enchanted Christmas and teamed up one year later for Love at Sea. The twosome play the crime-solving duo of Sam Acosta and Allie Adams in the Picture Perfect Mysteries series. They also work as executive producers on the Murders and Mysteries channel project. Carlos again joined forces with his wife for 2022’s Love in the Limelight.

Top Movies: Love at Sea, A Midnight Kiss, Love in the Limelight and the Picture Perfect Mysteries series.

Hallmark Signature: Creative, outgoing man who is willing to bend a little to make his partner happy.

Huszar had a small role in 2011’s Time After Time and 2015’s Aurora Teagarden Mystery: A Bone to Pick before making his Christmas debut in 2017’s Magical Christmas Ornaments. The University of Saskatchewan alum went on to become a Hallmark Channel holiday staple, starring in Return to Christmas Creek and more cheerful films. In 2019, he costarred alongside Cole (who plays a reporter named Ruby Herring) as Detective Jake Killian in the first A Ruby Herring Mystery film. He joined the cast of Chesapeake Shores two years later.

Top Movies: Return to Christmas Creek, A Homecoming for the Holidays, Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas, A Ruby Herring Mystery: Prediction Murder.

Hallmark Signature: Huszar’s mountain man good looks often distract his on-screen suitors from his characters’ deeper, more complex characteristics.

The British actor caught fans’ attention in 2018 when he starred in Royal Matchmaker alongside Bethany Joy Lenz. Kemp has since made multiple rom-coms for Hallmark that take place all over the world, including 2019’s Love, Romance & Chocolate, 2020’s The Christmas Waltz and 2022’s Jolly Good Christmas. The Reign alum announced in October 2022 that he will continue to work with Hallmark Media after signing a multi-picture deal.

Top Movies: Royal Matchmaker, Love, Romance & Chocolate and The Christmas Waltz.

Hallmark Signature: Kemp’s go-to character is a dreamy entrepreneur or high society man who resides in a foreign country. His upper-class background is evident in every movie, but often keeps his onscreen personas from recognizing true love at first glance.

The Ugly Betty alum switched from his TV past to rom-coms for Hallmark Channel in 2012 when he portrayed an accountant in need of love advice in How to Fall in Love. The following year, Mabius landed the role of Oliver O’Toole, the head of the Postables who works to deliver lost mail for the U.S. Postal Service, in Signed, Sealed Delivered. The movie’s success led to a 10-episode series and 11 additional movies by 2018. The Pennsylvania native will reprise his role in 2021’s untitled Signed, Sealed and Delivered film. He can also be seen in holiday movies on the network.

Top Movies: How to Fall in Love, Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Higher Ground, Signed, Sealed, Delivered: To the Alter, Welcome to Christmas and It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.

Hallmark Signature: The actor usually portrays buttoned up, quirky characters with a fashionable and smart side hidden just below the surface.

Metcalfe made his Hallmark debut in 2010’s Fairfield Road, one year after wrapping up his time on Desperate Housewives where he played John Rowland. The California native didn’t appear in his next film for the network until 2015’s A Country Wedding. His role as a country singer who returns home to sell his parents estate and finds love with the girl next door kicked off Metcalfe’s long-running relationship with the network. He went on to play Trace Riley on Chesapeake Shores from 2016 to 2021 and landed a leading role in the Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries movie franchise.

Top Movies: A Country Wedding, Christmas Next Door, Christmas Under the Stars, Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries: A Beautiful Place to Die.

Hallmark Signature: Musicians with a hidden past seem to be Metcalfe’s go-to personalities for the network.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants actor popped up on the network in 2015’s Cloudy With a Chance of Love, playing a TV producer who falls in love with a meteorologist he hires as a temp weather girl. One year later, Rady portrayed a small-town mayor who gets his happily ever after with a movie star filming in the area in Christmas in Homestead. He has been a Hallmark Channel staple ever since, most recently starring in 2020’s Christmas Bow and 2021’s A New Year’s Resolution.

Top Movies: Christmas in Homestead, Christmas at Pemberley Manor, You’re Bacon Me Crazy, Two Turtle Doves, Love to the Rescue and A New Year’s Resolution.

Hallmark Signature: Despite having a variety of boring professions, his characters are sweet and kind.

The Missouri native popped up in 2015’s Love Is a Four-Letter Word before focusing on his TV career, including the role of Connor Rhodes on NBC’s Chicago Med. Donnell, however, made his Hallmark Channel comeback with 2020’s Love on Iceland. He then starred in 2021’s To Catch a Spy with Nathalie Kelley.

Top Movies: Love on Iceland and To Catch a Spy.

Hallmark Signature: Donnell’s onscreen personas often lean toward engaging and complex individuals with a curious nature.

The Belfast, Ireland, native made his Hallmark Channel debut in the holiday 2008 film The Most Wonderful Time of the Year alongside Henry Winkler and Burns. It wasn’t until three years later that Christie appeared in another movie for the network, Three Weeks, Three Kids, with Anna Chlumsky. His most recent Hallmark hit is 2021’s Crashing Through the Snow, which premiered as part of Christmas in July.

Top Movies: The Color of Rain, If I Only Had Christmas and Crashing Through the Snow.

Hallmark Signature: Underneath his pretty boy stare lies a heartfelt and caring leading man.

The Bold and the Beautiful alum began his Hallmark career with a role on Cedar Cove. Neal portrayed Jack Griffith from 2013 to 2015. The following year, the Canadian actor landed his first holiday film in Looks Like Christmas. He has been playing gourmet detective Henry, who assists detective Maggie (Brooke Burns), in the Gourmet Detective mystery movies since 2015.

Top Movies: Truly, Madly, Sweetly, Christmas She Wrote and theGourmet Detective franchise.

Hallmark Signature: Fast talking, confident and charming, Neal’s characters can argue their way out of any predicament.

Greene has been a popular face for the network since 2015 when he starred in the Perfect Match and A Christmas Detour. Some of his holiday hits include Christmas in Angel Falls and Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy. The Canada native has also been portraying Dr. Carson Shepherd on When Calls the Heart since 2017. In 2021, Greene starred in Christmas CEO. The following year, he appeared in his first Great American Family holiday film, I’m Glad It’s Christmas, but he hasn’t signed a contract with either company as of December 2022.

Top Movies: Anything for Love, A Wish for Christmas, Campfire Kiss and My Favorite Wedding.

Hallmark Signature: The ultimate Mr. Nice Guy.