Hallmark calling: Tyler Hynes reigns as king of Christmas movies

Five films in the span of four months. And that’s only the beginning.

Dozens line his credits – including “Three Wise Men and a Baby,” which was basic cable’s most-viewed film of 2022. This year, he’ll be seen in three “Groomsmen” films, a sequel to “Three Wise Men,” and “Holiday Touchdown,” a romance that happens at a Kansas City Chiefs game.

The king of Hallmark? Hynes could certainly make a case.

The reason? “I’m a loyal person,” Hynes says. “I like to find where the value is and if there’s value there and there’s a playground to play in, I’d like to keep my focus on that and try to do it as best I can.”

Hallmark movies, he says, “are something I can pour my heart and soul into that’s creating an impact. I’m very happy spending my time focusing and trying to get the most of out that.”

A strong start

The string of yuletide cheer began with “It’s Christmas, Eve,” a film he did in 2018 with LeAnn Rimes.

“They called me up maybe three days prior to shooting and made the offer,” Hynes remembers. “I was at dinner but they needed an answer immediately.”

Hynes called his mother – a huge Hallmark fan – and asked her to read the script. “I said, ‘Do I sing in it?’ And she said no. Then I said, ‘How do you feel about the movie?’ And she said, ‘I love it.’ That’s all I needed.”

Mom’s track record, by the way, is pretty good. She reads all of her son’s scripts and lets him know how the films might go over with his core audience.

Two days after the “Eve” offer, Hynes was on the set, enjoying the holiday. “I didn’t know what this was, the value of it or even my place in it. But I was very, very grateful to have been invited.”

A different take

Since then, the 38-year-old Canadian has been a regular on the Hallmark circuit. Because many of the films are similar, Hynes now plays “a lot of little games that nobody knows about – that keep it interesting for me.”

Example? He may be watching an Al Pacino film before making his latest holiday entry and think: What would Al do? The character, then, will have a Pacino-like attitude.

“I kind of have my own fun,” Hynes says with a smile. “I also try my best to figure out what this move has to offer in terms of its value and try to create a character or rhythm that’s in service of that.”

Fans, he says, have noticed the process and aren’t afraid to point it out. Because he does so many films in a year, Hynes can have this “continual conversation” with viewers. “I get to react to what they do and they react to what I do, which makes me react to what they do.”

While Hynes has been on a number of series (like “Letterkenny”) and non-Hallmark movies, he likes the security the Hallmark ventures provide. “It’s a very sincere dynamic and this is a priority for me and my life.”

Six months of Christmas doesn’t bother him, either. “I love Christmas,” Hynes says. “I’m fully prepared to leave the Christmas tree up all year long. When it leaves, (the house) feels empty. But I don’t want to lose the magic that occurs when you put it up because there’s something to that, too.”

This year’s crop of films includes one set in Kansas City (home to Hallmark) and Arrowhead Stadium. There, he plays the director of fan engagement who meets someone who’s sure her family should win the Chiefs’ “fan of the year” title.

While Hynes is now a Chiefs booster, he wasn’t a football fan growing up. “I couldn’t afford a lot of organized sports, so football was out of the question. I’m a skateboarder.”

While shooting at the stadium, he got to meet Chiefs officials and players. “I don’t know why I’m so invested now, but this is kind of what my character goes through.”

Before that film shows up, he has the first of three “Groomsmen” films and “Three Wiser Men and a Boy” on tap.

All have the seal of approval. “My mother’s very happy I made these movies,” Hynes says. “And if this is my legacy, that’s great.”

“The Groomsmen” films are now airing on Hallmark+. “The Groomsmen: Last Dance” premieres Oct. 31.