Two upcoming Christmas television films have a link to Taylor Swift that her fans will easily recognize.
“Christmas in the Spotlight,” which premieres this Saturday on Lifetime, features Jessica Lord as a major pop sensation and Laith Wallschleger as a professional football player. The duo finds romance in a narrative that’s reminiscent of Swift’s relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce. Eirene Tran Donohue, a long-time fan of Swift, shared that while the movie draws inspiration from Swift’s life, her knowledge of the couple’s private dynamics is limited to public information. “It’s definitely influenced by Taylor and Travis, but I don’t know them personally or what’s behind the scenes,” she commented.
Tran Donohue expressed admiration for the couple’s mutual support, particularly how Kelce embraces dating someone in the public eye. She mentioned, “I appreciate the way he celebrates her.” With fellow Swifties in mind, Tran Donohue revealed that she embedded numerous Easter eggs throughout the script specifically for fans to discover. “I included as many subtle nods as I could,” she stated.
Following shortly after, Hallmark will present “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” on Nov. 30. This film, while not directly related to Taylor Swift, centers around familial traditions and the joy of supporting a sports team—a sentiment amplified by Hallmark’s Kansas City location and its focus on the Chiefs. The storyline, crafted by writer Julie Sherman Wolfe, portrays a new Chiefs employee (played by Tyler Hynes) who encounters a woman (played by Hunter King) whose family’s loyalty to the team spans generations.
Sherman Wolfe, an avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers, received the call for this project just a week after the Chiefs triumphed over her team in Super Bowl LVIII. “I was still recovering from that loss,” she admitted. “Hallmark asked me if I could set aside my disappointment and take on the project. I enthusiastically agreed because I’m a professional,” she said, laughing at the memory.
Though “Holiday Touchdown” does not mention Swift or Kelce, it includes appearances by several Chiefs players, and Donna Kelce makes a brief cameo. Hynes humorously shared, “I kept messing up my lines when working with Donna Kelce. Just having her around made me a bit starstruck; it was an absolute blast.” The filming also took place at Arrowhead Stadium, which added to the excitement for the cast. “Experiencing those iconic moments on the field is among the most memorable times I’ve had while working on a film,” King remarked enthusiastically.