Jessy Schram Stars as an Oceanic Vet in 'Mystic Christmas'
Mystic Christmas
In the fall of 1988, a small movie called Mystic Pizza hit theaters. The coming-of-age story was the feature directorial debut of Donald Petrie, who went on to direct box office hits Grumpy Old Men, Miss Congeniality, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. The film did moderately well at the box office and became a bit of cult hit.
Then-unknowns Annabeth Gish, Lili Taylor and Julia Roberts starred as three Portuguese-American friends who lived in the sleepy town of Mystic, Connecticut. The casting wouldn't fly today as none of the actresses were of Portuguese descent (Roberts is of English, Welsh, German, Irish and Swedish descent). Gish would go on to star in films like Wyatt Earp and Double Jeopardy and TV shows Sons of Anarchy, Barry, and The X-Files (the original and the reboot). Taylor went on to star in the films Born on the Fourth of July and The Conjuring and TV shows Outer Range and Perry Mason. The next two films after Mystic Pizza for Julia Roberts were Steel Magnolias and Pretty Woman. You know what happened with her career after that.
The movie spawned a musical in 2021 with music and lyrics by Melissa Etheridge. The love affair with Mystic, Connecticut continues in Hallmark Channel's latest Countdown to Christmas movie, Mystic Christmas.
Here's everything you need to know about Hallmark Channel's return to the seaside for a Christmas romance in Mystic Christmas, including a Parade.com exclusive sneak peek.
Related: Jingle Those Sleigh Bells! Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas Lineup Is Here
What is Mystic Christmas about?
Juniper Jones (Jessy Shram) is a world traveling marine veterinarian who isn’t afraid of anything except getting stuck in one place.
When a favor for her college roommate brings her to the seafaring town of Mystic, Connecticut during the holidays, Juniper is happy to visit a new place and take a temporary position at the Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Center and Aquarium. Here she works to help a seal named Peppermint get released back into the wild.
In between her work, Juniper explores Mystic and finds herself smitten with the town, its people, and much to her dismay, the owner of the pizza shop, Sawyer (Chandler Massey), whom she had spent a romantic night with years prior. After an awkward reunion, Juniper and Sawyer agree to move forward and forget about their past but their spark is ignited once again.
There’s a ticking clock on their romance since Juniper is only in Mystic temporarily and Sawyer insists he’s too entrenched in his hometown to leave (even at the expense of some of his own dreams).
While Juniper has no plans to stay, the interns Juniper oversees and Sawyer himself entrench Juniper in the community, and she finds herself catching the holiday spirit. Juniper realizes that what she initially thought she wanted out of life may have changed.
Juniper inspires Sawyer to go after the life he’s always dreamed of, while Sawyer (and the rest of Mystic) will show Juniper what it feels like to really belong to a community.
Is Mystic Christmas based on other material?
Mystic Christmas takes its inspiration from the 1988 movie, Mystic Pizza which starred then-unknowns Annabeth Gish, Lili Taylor, and Julia Roberts. William R. Moses, who starred in Mystic Pizza, makes an appearance in Mystic Christmas (as a different character).
Fun fact: Mystic Pizza was the first film Matt Damon appeared in!
Meet the cast of Mystic Christmas
Courtesy of Hallmark Media
Jessy Schram (Juniper)
Schram is a series regular on Chicago Med as Dr. Hannah Asher. The character was a guest starring spot for Schram which turned into a more permanent gig in the most recent season. She has starred in over a dozen films for Hallmark including Country Heart and Amazing Winter Romance.
Fun fact: Jessy Schram and William R. Moses have worked together before on the Jane Doe movies with Lea Thompson on Hallmark Channel!
Courtesy of Hallmark Media
Chandler Massey (Sawyer)
Chandler Massey is probably best known for his role as Will Horton on Days of Our Lives. He has appeared in several Hallmark films including Next Stop, Christmas and Heart of the Matter.
Courtesy of Hallmark Media
William R. Moses (Ken)
William R. Moses appeared in the original movie as the married employer of Kat (Annabeth Gish), a college-bound teen who believes herself in love with him. He appears as a different character in Mystic Christmas. Moses is probably best known for his roles on Falcon Crest and the Perry Mason TV movies. He previously appeared in the Jane Doe movies for Hallmark Media opposite Lea Thompson and Jessy Schram and currently has a recurring role on General Hospital.
When does Mystic Christmas premiere?
Mystic Christmas premieres on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel.
Related: Christmas Comes Early to Great American Family! Get All the Details on Their 20 New Movie Premieres!
When can I watch Mystic Christmas again?
Sunday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. ET
Thursday, Mov. 2 at 8 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. ET
Friday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 26 at 12 p.m. ET
Friday, Dec. 2 at 12 am.. ET
Does Parade.com have a sneak peek of Mystic Christmas?
Yes, check out this sneak peek from Mystic Christmas below.
Mystic Christmas
Courtesy of Hallmark Media
View the 19 images of this gallery on the original article
Next: It's a Wonderful Lifetime! Feel-Good Network Rolls Out Lineup of 2023 Christmas Movies
