A Newport Christmas: Ginna Claire Mason and Wes Brown Tease a Timeless Hallmark Romance

Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas is finally here, and A Newport Christmas kicks off this year’s roster of holiday films with a magical time-traveling romance.

Ginna Claire Mason’s Ella is a spirited socialite from 1905 who, after wishing upon a comet, finds herself in 2025. Historian Nick, played by Wes Brown, attempts to help her get home. However, when the two catch feelings for each other, they jeopardize a significant legacy.

Mason and Brown recently spoke with me about the film’s charming time-traveling premise and their duo’s delightful chemistry.

“Historically, comets are sort of a symbol of new beginnings,” Mason explained.

“It was really exciting for me to play a character from 120 years ago. Then get to sit back and ask the question of what it would look like for somebody from the past to see the modern technological advances that we have today, and ultimately fall into this love story that transcends time.”

The film takes place in Newport, Rhode Island, and filmed scenes on location at Bowen’s Wharf. Brown was eager to see how the crew brought the streets of this sleepy seaside town to life.

“Your cast and your crew, they have to put it to life. From a filmmaking standpoint, I was excited to see how they were going to do that because it’s such a visual experience from the page to the screen — and it didn’t disappoint.”

Watch the full interview with Ginna Claire Mason and Wes Brown:

A Newport Christmas could become a standout in this year’s sea of festive feel-good films, thanks to the fast-talking, quippy banter between Brown’s perplexed sailor and Mason’s inquisitive time-traveler.

“Isn’t this script fun? It’s so well written,” Mason agreed.

Brown and Mason have been friends for years, so the two actors were excited to get paired together for the first time on screen. Mason believed their history together contributed to that “natural and fun” energy.

“And come on, Wes Brown’s the dreamiest scene partner ever!” she stated.

“He’s so grounded. I feel like he made the magic of this movie really work, whether it was his own honesty or all the heart that he brings to the scenes. Just being such a such a seasoned pro and reacting to Ella’s wild antics and questions.”

Additionally, Mason appreciated how the duo’s timeless tale will pull at our heartstrings: “I really loved the stakes of this premise.”

“You see these people, regardless of what century, looking for belonging and learning that maybe home doesn’t look like a time or place, maybe you can find that in a person. I think the gut-wrenching moment for me is that she has this legacy she has to uphold. There’s this responsibility to go back, but there’s also this very real connection between Ella and Nick.”

Brown also admired how the film’s time-travel twist keeps viewers guessing.

“It was a lot of fun to see when the light bulb turns on for Nick that all this is real — and I think that’s something that audiences will really want to see what’s going to happen, because you may know where the story is headed, but you don’t know where it’s going to end up.”

“That’s something that Wes navigated so gracefully, because it’s really hard to entertain the musings of this lunatic,” Mason joked. “And then he becomes enamored and enchanted by this real-life person.”

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A Newport Christmas premieres November 2 at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel and streams the next day on Hallmark+.

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