The holiday spirit is hitting the Irish countryside early with the start of production for Christmas at Castle Hart.

The Canadian/Irish co-production from Toronto-based Leif Films will be directed by Emmy-nominated Stefan Scaini (Heartland) and star Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls), Stuart Townsend (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) and Kate O’Toole (Possession).

The feature follows newly divorced Brooke Bennett (Chabert) who moves in with her sister, played by Ali Hardiman. As the holidays approach the pair decide to go on a Christmas adventure to Ireland to fulfill their father’s lifelong wish of finding the family’s Irish roots. A chance encounter with Aidan Hart (Townsend), the returning Earl of Glaslough in the lead up to a prestigious Christmas Ball leads to a series of misunderstandings, and some holiday romance.

The feature is set to air on Hallmark and  W Network and is filming against Irish backdrops including Dromoland Castle near County Clare, Lough Cutra Castle in Galway and Kinvara in Galway Bay.

Christmas at Castle Hart is the latest project from Leif Films, which finances and directs movies of the week and theatrical films in the holiday, romance and suspense markets.