Lacey Chabert has been a staple of Hallmark’s popular Christmas movie series for years, but this year the release of her annual holiday movie was a little more bittersweet. Last week, Chabert lost her sister Wendy unexpectedly. The timing came just a few days ago Christmas at Castle Hart made its premiere. Now, the Hallmark star has been talking about showing the film as her family mourns.
As a network, Hallmark had taken over the holiday movie schedule much earlier. The network produces dozens and dozens of films during the festive season and the fact that Chabert’s was scheduled to be screened during such a difficult week for her family is a matter of luck. Time is honestly a bit difficult to calculate. But Christmas at Castle Hart was already planned and advertised when the news of the death of Lacey Chabert’s lovely sister was released.
It would be hard to know how to handle a situation like this eloquently, but the Christmas at Castle Hart the star took the moment with joy. Although she did not tweet live (as she was known to have done in previous films), she said that after careful thought and reflection, she believes that her sister would like to “celebrate” her work in the film, noting:
My sister was my biggest cheerleader and she would like me to still celebrate my job. She would be very upset with me if I did not! In a strange twist of fate, one of the things that sets this Christmas movie apart from the rest of me is that it actually presents a beautiful relationship between two brothers. While we were filming I thought of Wendy many times as Margo’s character reminded me so much of her. In our first meeting I said this to our wonderful director Stefan Scaini. Wendy was the joke. She was always the first to have a weird plan that usually got us into a bit of fun and made us laugh so loud tears rolled down our cheeks. Margo reminded me of her.
Lacey Chabert went on to talk a little more about Wendy and how she would like to dedicate her latest work to her late sister. She also encouraged her fans who were able to spend the holiday weekend with their family to keep them close and loved.
So tonight, I would like to dedicate this film to my sister and let her serve as a tribute to her beautiful life. If you watch, I hope it makes you laugh and gives you Christmas joy. I hope you hug your loved ones tightly as you enjoy the movie. Thank you for your continued support. My love to all of you!
Lacey Chabert had previously called her sister “generous” and “kind” Instagram, thanking the fans for their words and prayers after the news was published. It was not just the fans who reached out. Many people involved with the Hallmark family have also left their condolences, including the other core group of the Candace Cameron Bure network. For more on Lacey herself’s feelings about her job, her sister, and how things turned out this weekend, you can check out her full post below.
Christmas at Castle HartHis release plan was just a strange situation, probably for both Chabert and Hallmark’s forces. It was honestly one of the most anticipated movies of the Christmas season, with a romantic setting in Ireland and a great cast, including Ali Hardiman and Stuart Townsend. The full range of Hallmark movies this holiday season includes many other heavyweight players.
Although Chabert’s Christmas Hallmark movie released this year may not have felt the same way as in the past, there is some consolation in knowing that the 2021 movie was about two sisters. Our thoughts go to the family at this time.
