The new Lifetime holiday movie ‘Planes Trains and Christmas Trees’ takes us through the bustling streets of Redwood, Ohio through its mesmerizing holiday setting but the real places are located in Canada.
Directed by Martha Borowski from the scripts of Cera Rose Pickering, the movie follows an event planner Kayley and sports agent Brett, who are forced to seek a shelter in a sleepy Ohian town when their flights to New York gets canceled after a heavy snowstorm. As the two spend time together, a romance begins.
Originally released by Reel One Entertainment (Christmas Plus One) in 2022 for Canadians, the movie is now available to stream on Lifetime in US.
Where was Planes Trains and Christmas Trees filmed?
The new Lifetime holiday movie ‘Planes Trains and Christmas Trees’ was filmed in February 2022 mainly in Hamilton, Ontario. Hamilton served as the fictional town of Redwood, Ohio where most of the story is set.
The film crew shot scenes throughout Hamilton using local buildings, parks, streets, and neighborhoods as backdrops.
Some recognizable Hamilton landmarks that you will notice while watching Planes Trains and Christmas Trees include Sam Lawrence Park, Dundurn Castle, the Pigott Building, and the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
Dundurn Castle
This imposing 19th-century mansion overlooking the city adds a touch of grandeur to the film’s setting. It can can be seen covered with fake snow.
The Pigott Building complex
This striking Art Deco complex served as the perfect location for filming scenes in and around Redwood’s vibrant downtown area.
Sam Lawrence Park
This stunning park boasts scenic trails, a beautiful waterfall, and a historic stone bridge, making it the perfect backdrop for romantic encounters and wintry walks.
The Art Gallery of Hamilton
This renowned gallery provided a sophisticated and elegant setting for a pivotal scene in the film where Kayley runs from her house in the morning in Sulphur Springs.
The variety of urban and rural settings around Hamilton have also been used for filming movies like ‘Christmas on Cherry Lane,’ ‘Mistletoe Match,’ ‘Rescuing Christmas,’ and more.
Indoor scenes and airport portions were likely filmed at one of Hamilton’s major studio facilities like Hamilton Film Studios, Digital Canaries Film Studios, Aeon Bayfront Studios, or Green Door Studios. These provide sound stages and sets for interior shoots.
You might be confused that John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport was used for the shooting of Airport scenes, but no real airport was utilized in the filming of Planes Trains and Christmas.
If you wanna see a movie that was actually shot on an airport location then Christmas Island would be a good choice, a Hallmark movie filmed in Nova Scotia.
Behind the Scenes
In a social media post, director Borowski shared that she enjoyed working on the production over the 3 weeks of filming.
She said “What a pleasure it was to work with you all!” It seems the cast and crew bonded during the fast-paced filming schedule, she wrote while sharing the picture of a clapperboard.
Lead actors Oliver Renaud and Kathryn Davis built good chemistry while pretending to fall in love on screen against the winter backdrops of Hamilton.
Their believable romantic dynamic helps bring this holiday tale to life.
Who’s in the cast of Planes Trains and Christmas Trees?
Kathryn Davis as Kayley Cooper
Kathryn Davis plays Kayley, an ambitious event planner whose life gets turned upside down when a cancelled flight throws her Christmas plans into chaos.
She is known for her role as the charming and witty Sarah in the hit series “Love Bytes” and she was also seen in Hallmark’s A Christmas Wish in 2020 as a young woman who rediscovers the Christmas spirit after facing lots of setbacks.
Oliver Renaud as Brett Matthews
Oliver Renaud portrays Brett, a laid-back, easygoing sports agent whose journey home for Christmas becomes unexpectedly intertwined with Amelia’s in Planes Trains and Christmas Trees movie.
Renaud captured hearts as the brooding yet compassionate Dr. Ethan Carter in the medical drama “Heartbeat.” His other credits include in Netflix’s holiday rom-com “Snowflakes and Cinnamon.”
Other cast members of the holiday movie includes:
- Richard Waugh as Eli
- Markeda McKay as Dani
- Ewa Wolniczek as Jenna
- Christopher Seivright as Greg
- Maria Syrgiannis as Christie
- Ashton James as Tyler
- Rebecca Applebaum as Holly
- Robin Craig as Sandra
- Matthew Harmantas as Jaden
Where to watch Planes Trains and Christmas Trees?
Planes Trains and Christmas Trees is available to stream on Lifetime app inside the United States since its premeire on Nov 19, 2023 on Lifetime Channel.