Fans of Taylor Swift will find plenty to appreciate in two upcoming Christmas TV movies that have a direct connection to the pop star. The first, “Christmas in the Spotlight”, is set to premiere on Saturday on Lifetime. It features Jessica Lord as a fictional pop sensation and Laith Wallschleger as a professional football player. Their romance bears a striking resemblance to the real-life relationship between Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Eirene Tran Donohue, a dedicated Swift fan and the scriptwriter for “Christmas in the Spotlight,” acknowledges that the film draws inspiration from Taylor and Travis. “It’s clearly inspired by Taylor and Travis, but I don’t know them personally or the details of their relationship. I’ve only incorporated what’s been made public,” she explained. Tran Donohue admires the way the couple supports each other, particularly Kelce’s ability to embrace dating a star under the constant scrutiny of fame. “I love how he celebrates her achievements,” she added.
She also made sure to embed numerous “Easter eggs” in the script for fellow Swifties to discover. “There are so many little details that fans will recognize. I included as many as I could,” she shared enthusiastically.
On November 30, Hallmark will premiere “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” While this film doesn’t feature Swift directly, it explores themes of family traditions and the joy of supporting a sports team. Given Hallmark’s Kansas City roots, focusing on the Chiefs makes perfect sense.
The story, penned by Julie Sherman Wolfe, follows the romantic sparks that fly when a new employee for the Chiefs (played by Tyler Hynes) meets a woman (portrayed by Hunter King) whose family has a long-standing dedication to the team.
Sherman Wolfe, a fan of the San Francisco 49ers, received the call to write the movie just a week after the Chiefs triumphed over her team in Super Bowl LVIII. “I was still nursing my wounds,” she admitted. “When Hallmark asked if I could set aside my disappointment to work on this, I said, ‘Absolutely. I mean, I’m a professional,’” she recalled with a laugh.
While “Holiday Touchdown” doesn’t specifically reference Swift or Kelce, it does include cameo appearances from several Chiefs players, along with a small role for Donna Kelce. Actor Tyler Hynes shared his excitement about working alongside her: “I kept messing up my lines! Just knowing that Donna Kelce was about to speak had me beside myself. It was such a blast.”
Both films offer a delightful blend of romance and festive spirit, making them must-sees for Swift’s fans as well as sports enthusiasts. The actors even had the chance to film at Arrowhead Stadium, a highlight Hynes and King both recalled fondly. “Those moments were some of the coolest I’ve experienced working on a film,” King remarked.
