‘Operation Christmas:’ Tricia Helfer, Marc Blucas Star In Hallmark Movies And Mysteries Holiday Flick

Operation Christmas debuts on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries this Sunday, according to TV Tango. For HMM’s “Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas,” many holiday movies will air over the next several weeks, just like Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas.” Directed by David Weaver and written by Nina Weinman, Ron Oliver, and Donald Martin, Operation Christmas is about Olivia and her military boyfriend, whose long absences cause frustration for her and the children. However, through her boyfriend’s sacrifices for his country, Olivia finds her own way to give back. Operation Christmas stars Tricia Helfer and Marc Blucas.

Movie Synopsis: Operation Christmas on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries

Olivia Young, a single mom, has found love again with hero Scott McGuigan an Army sergeant who works in a highly elite special forces unit. Being the girlfriend of a military man is difficult since Olivia desires to spend a lot of time with the new love of her life. However, his continued absences make life difficult for Olivia and her children.

Hanging on to his visits and phone calls, Olivia tries to keep herself busy and sane by tending to her family. But, when Scott comes home, she finds herself falling deeply in love with him more and more, causing her to dread the goodbyes.

After all, Olivia and the kids never know where Scott is going and when he’ll return. This makes her wonder if she has what it takes to be a military wife in the future.

Young single mom reconsiders the idea of becoming an army wife #OperationChristmas @HallmarkMovies https://t.co/QJjwMR52Jg pic.twitter.com/fCWyodlEKT

— TV Weekly Now (@TVWeeklyNow) November 15, 2016

Though Scott hates it when he has to part ways with her during the Christmas holidays, he has to do what’s right for his country, which is to follow orders without question–even if it means being separated from the family.

Although the Army Ranger always promises to come back, Olivia fears that something could happen. However, Olivia’s uncertainty and sadness turns to hope and inspiration after she becomes involved in a “giving back” operation to help struggling families on the Fort Wilcox military base, where Scott is stationed.

When Olivia’s altruistic efforts go viral, she finally ends up receiving a wealth of love and joy from the least likely of places.

What They Like For Christmas

In a behind-the-scenes exclusive with Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, actress Tricia Helfer said that her favorite Christmas ornament is the tiny stocking that she received as a little girl when they lived on the farm. Every Christmas, as a child, Tricia Helfer had the job of finding the perfect place on the tree for her small stocking.

For actor Marc Blucas, warm white Christmas tree lights are a must but says he’s not a fan of ugly Christmas sweaters.

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A Not-So Hallmark Life

Though this Hallmark movie is a raw and real depiction of what military wives go through on a daily basis, not everyone’s life has a happy ending, like the ones depicted in Hallmark’s movies.

One true-story case that comes to mind is the life of Ashley McCarthy, a black military wife who went through the same struggles in her relationship with her husband, Marquis Cheatham. Cheatham was a well-respected Lance Corporal in the Marines, who stopped calling or visiting his wife. Eventually, he ceased taking care of Ashley McCarthy completely by withholding financial support. The situation worsened when she contacted his superiors. It was then that he began plotting her death.

He made good on his plans. On Easter weekend 2014, Marquis Cheatham and his new girlfriend, Dominique Atkinson, drove from Camp Lejeune in North Carolina to Montgomery, Alabama, where Marquis lured Ashley into his vehicle with the promise of talking and working things out. Instead, he threw her into the back of the trunk and drove her to a remote location, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.

When Ashley hit the release button inside the trunk and escaped, her military husband chased her down and shot her dead. Her death was a shock to her loving family.

With stories like that, it’s a blessing to have Hallmark movies to look forward to. Don’t miss Operation Christmas tonight at 9/8 p.m. Central on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries’ Operation Christmas is executive produced by Craig Anderson and Shawn Williamson. The production credit goes to Lighthouse Pictures and Craig Anderson Productions. Filming of Operation Christmas took place in Canada and some scenes were shot at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Hotel, according to What’s Filming.

[Featured Images by Hallmark Movies and Mysteries]