Hallmark is kicking off its Fall Into Love 2025 lineup with a highly anticipated trilogy that puts male friendships in the spotlight: The Groomsmen.
Directed by Hallmark favorite Ron Oliver (A Timeless Christmas, Christmas at the Plaza) and co-written by Greg Baldwin, Jonathan Bennett, Rick Garman, and Oliver himself, the trilogy first debuted on Hallmark+ in late 2024 and now makes its broadcast premiere this September on Hallmark Channel.
With sweeping European backdrops, heartfelt brotherhood, and just the right touch of romance, The Groomsmen trilogy is something that you should watch, if you’re a fan of LGBTQ films.
The Groomsmen Filming Locations
Greece – Santorini’s Scenic Romance
In the Groomsmen, Santorini, Greece, with the famous blue dome churches and cliffside dwellings is the ideal setting for wedding festivities and deep discussions.
Greece – Santorini’s Scenic Romance No Hallmark romance is complete without postcard-perfect scenery, and for The Groomsmen, that meant filming on Santorini Island, Greece.
Filmmakers have always been fascinated by Greece, but for Hallmark, it was the perfect opportunity to capture the charm of small towns while simultaneously integrating an amazing wedding setting.
Italy – Passion, Piazzas, and Ageless Elegance
The production traveled to Italy where it brought the trilogy to life in town squares, cobblestone streets, and other iconic places that added an ageless charm to the trilogy.
Scenes on the Italian backdrop that focused on friendship and family complemented the recurring themes of celebration, tradition, and second chances. Italy’s warm, candlelit dinners and romantic strolls beneath ancient arches added romance and sprinkled magic to the story.
The perfect balance of Greece’s coastal flair, history, and beauty made it an ideal addition.
Bulgaria – Backdrops and Flexibility
The final addition to the trilogy’s filming locations was Bulgaria, where the production team found an amazing range of settings and versatile shooting locations with ancient streets and open country. Bulgaria maintained the balance of speed, while providing the needed European looks.
Bulgaria has turned into a filming center and set for rock bottom budget productions that compromise of limited scale like Joyeux Noel and Her Pen Pal. The Groomsmen was the perfect opportunity for filmmakers to extend the footage beyond Santorini and Italy, while still ensuring the story remains visually connective.
What is The Groomsmen About?
The actors follow three of their childhood friends celebrating their weddings – for Pete illustrated in BJ Britt as a gentle and organized pediatrician with a penchant for planning, Jonathan Bennett as a softly gentle baseball coach named Danny, and Hynes, a fashion-savvy, social media guru as Jackson. male characters in The Wedding Veil franchise.
With love and loss comes their unbreakable bond of brotherhood. Each film in the trilogy has a corresponding title: The Groomsmen: First Look, The Groomsmen: Second Chances, The Groomsmen: Last Dance.
Cast
- Jonathan Bennett (Danny) – The Holiday Sitter, Mean Girls, Christmas on Cherry Lane.
- Tyler Hynes (Jackson) – Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, Shifting Gears, Falling for You.
- BJ Britt (Pete) – The Holiday Stocking, Rediscovering Christmas.
- Heather Hemmens (Chelsea) – Christmas in My Heart, Roswell, New Mexico, A Pinch of Portugal.
The first Hallmark production for British actor Alexander Lincoln (Zack) and Russo (Medici, 6 Underground) Elena Rusconi. Chloe Raphael (Betty) – voice of Kana in Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.
Behind the Scenes
Filming started in early 2024 and ended in July of the same year, spanning across Greece, Italy, and Bulgaria. Director Ron Oliver and the co writers, which included actor Jonathan Bennett, took their time to detail the romance and humor to create a heartfelt trilogy. The European shoot was constructed to make The Groomsmen feel large in scale while still retaining the hallmark warmth and intimacy of the series.
Here’s a short clip, Bennett shared on Instagram.
Where to Watch The Groomsmen?
Hallmark fans will be pleased to hear that they will be able to view the premiere of The Groomsmen on September 6, 2025, starting at 8/7c. The film will be available on the Hallmark Channel as part of the Fall Into Love event, and will re-air on the following dates:
- Sunday, 7 Sep at 6/5c
- Wednesday, 10 Sep at 8/7c
- Saturday, Sep 20 at 10/9c
- Monday, Oct 13 at 8a/7c
Final Take
The Groomsmen promises to be one of the highlights for Fall Into Love 2025 because of its beautiful European locations, touching relationships, and three popular Hallmark male leads.
The trilogy has a new global take on Hallmark’s convention of romance and family, especially with the Santorini cliffs, the Italian piazzas, and Bulgaria’s diverse landscapes.
Don’t forget to get the popcorn, set a date, and prepare to once again swoon. Especially for The Groomsmen.
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Where in Italy was it filmed
The Groomsmen filmed across several iconic Italian locations, including Rome, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast.