Danica McKellar Discusses Move from Hallmark to Great American Family

Former Hallmark actress Danica McKellar has shared insights into her decision to transition from Hallmark Channel to Great American Family Network, a move that surprised some of her longtime fans. The transition took place in 2021 when McKellar joined the network established by Bill Abbott, the former executive of Hallmark Channel.

In a recent interview on a podcast with Cheryl Burke, a former «Dancing With the Stars» professional, McKellar elaborated on her reasons for the switch. She stated, «Great American Family Channel was started by the man who ran Hallmark Channel for twenty years. Bill Abbott is his name. I credit him with reviving my career, giving me this genre. I did like fifteen movies with him in a Hallmark channel. So when he left to start his own network and he asked me to come along, I was like, ‘yeah!'»

McKellar also expressed the creative fulfillment she has experienced since joining the new network. «It is so creatively fulfilling with the fact that I’m doing that. I’ve done two dance movies because I wanted to do dance movies. Like I’m just way more involved,» she added. Additionally, she appreciates the opportunity to incorporate her faith into some of the storylines, which she finds rewarding.

Beyond acting, McKellar is taking on significant roles in producing and developing content, aspects that attracted her to Great American Family. During a 2022 interview, she disclosed, «Part of it was because I had the opportunity to do a multi-picture deal, which I hadn’t done at Hallmark, and also not just multi-picture, but also really being a producer, really helping to develop these stories from the beginning.»

Great American Family is more than just a broadcasting network for McKellar; it represents a growing community. She highlighted an app that the network developed, suggesting it functions like a targeted social media platform but specifically curated for the network’s audience, enabling actors and content creators to contribute directly to the channel’s offerings.

Since her switch, McKellar starred in movies such as «Christmas at the Drive-In,» «Swing Into Romance,» and «A Royal Date for Christmas.» Her upcoming projects include a film premiering on November 29 and another slated for the spring that involves collaboration with fellow «Dancing With the Stars» participants.