Hallmark Channel is currently in the holiday season — and one of this year’s Countdown to Christmas movies centers on a Kansas City Chiefs romance.

While Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story it’s not about that Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelcehis mother, Donna Kelceappeared in the new holiday film.

“It felt like the president came to the set” Tyler Hyneswho stars in the film, said of the Kelce matriarch during an exclusive interview with Parade. Hunter Kinghis co-star, agreed. Hynes described Donna’s arrival on set as “like a king showing up and blessing us.”

The Christmas movie – which follows a Kansas City Chiefs superfan, played by King, and the NFL team’s director of fan engagement, played by Hynes, marked the first time at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, stadium was used as a filming location in a Hallmark movie.

Hynes revealed parade that Donna had him and King write notes for Travis, which were then placed in his locker at the stadium. “So we both wrote little notes and she put them in his locker,” Hynes shared.

Although Donna kept things “private” when it came to Travis and Taylor on set, she did mention her son playing in the NFL. King recalled, “She referred to her sons like, ‘Oh yeah. Well, you know, one of my sons.’ Like we’re pretending we don’t know who she’s talking about. We say, “Yeah, you mean Travis?” Of course we know who.

“And then Taylor was TS,” King added, “But yeah, (Donna) kept things nice and private for her, but she was just so funny.”

Hynes and King’s new film Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Storyfeaturing Donna, premiering November 30th at 8pm ET on Hallmark Channel. Read on to learn more about the film and “America’s Mom” ​​Donna paradeis the exclusive interview with Tyler Hynes and Hunter King.

How did it feel to create a Chiefs-centered romance in the midst of such a high-profile, real-life Chiefs love story?

Hynes: It felt like it was a small moment. Do you know what I mean? It felt like a unique thing that will probably never happen again. And I think that’s what made it kind of memorable for me.

With over 30 Countdown to Christmas films this year, what do you think makes a difference? Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story so special?

King: Well, it’s the first time Hallmark has made a movie with a professional football team.

Hynes: Yes.

King: I find that in itself very, very exciting. Completely different. They just take this huge kingdom of chieftains and incorporate it into our film. It creates pure magic and it felt magical making the film. We got to film at Arrowhead Stadium, which was just incredibly cool. And then in order to have all the cameos, some of the players have to be there, including Donna Kelce. It was very surreal making it and I think people will feel that when they see it.

Were you surprised that Donna Kelce was in the film?

King: Yes. I mean, I just feel like she’s so busy, you know?

Hynes: Yes. It felt like the president came to the set. It was as if a king showed up and blessed us.

King: We had to try to hide them. There were a lot of fans waiting outside because Kansas City loves Kansas City, and they heard there was a movie being made about the Kansas City Chiefs. And then, all of a sudden, Donna was supposed to come to set and we had to find a way for her to come by sneaking through the back yard and not going out the front door. But yeah, it was a little bit like the president was coming to perish.

Related: Your Guide to Travis and Jason Kelce’s Mother, Donna Kelce

Did she ask any of you for tips or acting advice?

Hynes: I asked her for advice.

King: Yes. She didn’t need it.

Hynes: She’s a professional, and I don’t know how she can put herself in these circumstances that would be off-putting to anyone, and she manages to handle it so beautifully and she makes the film so much fun. And yes, there is no help I could ever offer this woman. She is too, too beautiful.

On set, did she talk about how Travis and Taylor reacted to the idea of ​​a Chiefs Hallmark movie?

Hynes: (King asks) Did she talk about it?

King: She kind of kept things, you know, more private to herself. Sometimes she would refer to, “She was so funny.” She would refer to her sons like, “Oh yeah. Well, you know, one of my sons.” Like we’re pretending we don’t know who she’s talking about. We say, “Yeah, do you mean Travis?” Of course we know who. And then Taylor was TS, but she kept things nice and private for her, but she was just so funny. She brought her friend to the set. Felt like a little girls trip. They are just the cutest.

Hynes: It was fun. She had us write a note for Travis to go to his locker when we were in Arrowhead. So we both wrote little notes and she put them in his locker. Yes.

Related: Get out your calendars! Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas 2024 is here

There were a few cameo appearances in the film. Did you ever think Patrick Mahomes or Travis would show up on set?

King: I think everyone was secretly hoping, but we also knew how busy they are and asking them to step away from their schedules I think is kind of an impossible task. I think everyone was secretly hoping for this, but I mean, the cameos we got are just incredible.

Hynes: They were just starting their training camp, like at the end of our shoot. I ended up going to training camp. Your season never seems to end. And so the fact that it pleases Trey Blacksmith, Clyde (Edwards–Helaire), Mecole (Hardman), George (Karlaftis), Coach (Andy) ReidThey all came and took the time to join us, some for a few days. I felt like it was a really big gesture to do that. Because these guys are at their best. They couldn’t have more eyes on them.

Definitely. I have to ask. Are you both Swifties?

King: Yes.

Hynes: She’s an OG.

King: An OG (laughs).

Hynes: I did a film with a young lady named Chloe. She played my daughter in the movies right before the Chiefs movie was made and she’s like a mega fan. And I wore a little Swiftie-style bracelet for her in the movie, and she introduced me to the endless amount of Swiftie music. She has so much music. And she questioned me every day. “Did you hear that?” “I’m trying. I’m trying to get through them all. There are so many.”

(Taylor) is known for her Easter eggs. Are there any Easter eggs fans should look out for in the film?

King: Yes. Well, the thing I didn’t know until yesterday was the cinema signs as we walked past the cinema. Just pay attention to the movie signs and what’s playing. I guess there’s a little Easter egg hidden there. Which I didn’t even know. They did that by mail, so.

What is your favorite Taylor Swift song or era?

Hynes: It’s me, hello, I’m the problem, it’s me.

King: (Laughs) This is your favorite song?

Hynes: That touched me. Yes.

King: “Tortured Poets Department” is one of my favorites. midnight is also one of my favorite albums. I can’t choose a favorite album. I can’t choose a favorite song. With Taylor Swift, that’s an impossible task. I just need to know that I love them all, and I’ve loved all of their music and every journey they’ve taken, no matter what genre it is. I love them all.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story Premieres Saturday, November 30th at 8pm ET on Hallmark Channel

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