The 2023 Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Christmas film Heaven Down Here takes us to the scenic community of Mission, British Columbia through its filming locations.
This area, located around 40 miles east of Vancouver, offers a charming small town backdrop befitting of a Hallmark holiday tale.
The Christianity based film is produced by Donald Munro, Jamie Goehring, and Shawn Williamson under HDH Productions Inc, and is set to premiere on Dec 14, 2023.
Heaven Down Here Filming Locations
This wholesome holiday film Heaven Down Here was primarily filmed around the Mission district of British Columbia, Canada during the early summer in 2023.
Principal photography commenced on June 12th, 2023 and wrapped on June 30th, as per ACFC West Records.
Hair Stylist Melissa Neilson shared a bts photo after the shooting wrapped. She worte in the caption:
Wrap days are the best and the worst! Miss everyone already 💕
Mission, British Columbia
Founded in 1838 by fur traders, Mission was a frontier outpost, then a gold rush hotspot, and finally, a thriving farming and timber town.
Production for Heaven Down Here took place over a three week period in June 2023.
The area surrounding Mission provided film crews with all the charming, snow-covered small town scenes required for the movie.
Long known for its natural scenic beauty and as a popular spot for outdoor winter recreation, Mission’s surrounding mountain vistas, evergreen forests, and farmland blanketed in snow creates a magical setting for a heartwarming holiday tale.
The Rocko’s Diner, Downtown Mission
The diner you see in the movie isn’t just any set, it’s the real-deal Rocko’s Diner in downtown Mission! This historic landmark has been serving up smiles and delicious eats since 1939.
This local eatery is a landmark along Mission’s main street that sets the scene as four strangers find themselves brought together there during an intense snowstorm.
You can also spot the same diner in Navigating Christmas.
With its retro 1950s decor, red leather booths, and old-fashioned diner fare, The Rocko’s creates the perfect backdrop for Hallmark’s Christianity based movie centering around hope and human connection during the holiday season.
But Mission is more than just a diner. Nestled along the Fraser River, this town boasts a rich history dating back to the Gold Rush of the 1850s.
Walk down Main Street and you’ll see heritage buildings, charming shops, and friendly locals who make you feel right at home.
Rolling hills, snow-capped mountains, and the sparkling Fraser River will give you a wholesome feeling and maybe you will find your own Heaven Down Here.
Vancouver, British Columbia
A report from Vancouver Sun suggested that some of the shooting was done in Vancouver. Located just an hour away from the Mission, Vancouver was used for filming Church scenes, the set was decorated with a big star and red flowers.
Hallmark filmmakers are just obsessed with this district of British Columbia because of its skilled crew, and stunning surroundings that can be easily adapted into a winter filming set.
British Columbia has emerged as the most popular filming province of Canada.
Some of the recent holiday productions that were shot on location in the westernmost province of Canada includes Hanukkah Round and Round and Magic in Mistletoe, and Christmas on Cherry Lane LGBT.
Heaven Down Here Hallmark Cast
The cast of Heaven Down Here includes Krystal Joy Brown, Tina Lifford, Juan Riedinger, and Richard Harmon in the main roles.
Krystal Joy Brown as Imani
Brown is an American Broadway theatre actress, known for her roles in Girlfriendship (2022), Power Book III: Raising Kanan, The Equalizer, Final Space, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Writing Around the Christmas Tree, and One Royal Holiday.
In the film, she is a widowed mother of two kids and is struggling to make her body and soul together.
Tina Lifford as Clara
Lifford seasoned actress with decades of experience. In the film, she is portraying the role of a hospice nurse with an obstinate patient whose daughter is leaving her behind.
She’s famous for role of Violet Borderlon in OWN’s Queen Sugar and VH1’s Single Ladies and has also starred in numerous holiday movies like A Holiday in Harlem, A Christmas to Cherish, and A Gift for Christmas but most fans will recognize her for her serious roles, not the lovey-dovey ones.
Juan Riedinger as Felix
Riedinger steals the film as Felix, a local pastor desperately trying to gather food for parishioners while his faith is challenged by his son’s alienation.
The mystery series viewers might recognize him from his roles in “Riverdale,” “Motherland: Fort Salem” and “The Romeo Section.”
Richard Harmon as Dan
Harmon adds a touch of intrigue as Dan, a mysterious stranger with a secret. He is the boss of Imani in the movie.
Though new to the Hallmark scene, he’s no stranger to the screen, having starred in “The 100” and “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.”
Other cast members of Heaven Down here includes:
- Jace Fleming as Bobby
- Isabel Birch as Roxy
- Jorge Montesi as Frank
- Phylicia Rashad
- Jayden Oniah as Julian
- Ava Anton as Angel Gabriel
What is Heaven Down Here movie about?
Directed by Anne Wheeler from a script of Shana Lloyd and Alison McKenzie, the faith-based film trails a whisper of hope in the darkest of storms.
The movie has drawn its inspiration from Mickey Guyton’s song of the same name as the movie title. Official synopsis from Hallmark reads as follows:
“When others are celebrating Christmas with their families and loved ones, there are four desperate people who gets stuck at a local diner when a heavy sandstorm hits the town on Christmas eve.”
Where to watch Heaven Down Here?
“Heaven Down Here” premieres on December 14th at 8/7c on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel inside the United States.
The movie will stream on the same day on W Network inside Canada.
You can also stream the movie on Peacock upto 72 hours of its original premiere in US and on Stack TV inside Canada.
