Jenna Bush Hager is ready to make her acting debut!
The TODAY with Hoda & Jenna co-host will appear in her first on-screen role in Hallmark’s “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.”
Jenna headed to Kansas City, Missouri, to film her role in “Holiday Touchdown,” which tells the story of Alana (Hunter King), a Kansas City Chiefs super fan competing with her family to win the team’s Fan of the Year contest. As the competition heats up, sparks fly between her and Derrick (Tyler Hynes), the head of fan engagement.
For Jenna, appearing in the movie marked a childhood dream come true.
“As a little kid, I wanted to be an actress,” she told TODAY.com in July, when she and her co-stars filmed the movie in sweltering heat at Arrowhead Stadium. “My mom actually would drive me to the Dallas Convention Center. And I would try out for musicals. But I can’t really sing, or dance, or act. So I never got the role.”
Find out how to watch “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,” and read more about Jenna’s experience on the set.
Where to watch ‘Holiday Touchdown’
“Holiday Touchdown” premieres Nov. 30 on Hallmark, as part of the channel’s 2024 Countdown to Christmas lineup.
Peacock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers can also stream the movie live via Peacock’s Hallmark Channel.
In addition, Hallmark movie premieres are available to stream on-demand on Peacock for three days after they first air, according to Peacock’s website.
(Note: Peacock and TODAY are owned by the same parent company, NBCUniversal.)
What time does it air?
“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” airs at 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 30.
For fans who miss the premiere, Hallmark will re-air the movie multiple times in December, including Dec. 1 at 10 p.m. ET, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. ET and Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. ET, according to the network’s current schedule shared online.
What inspired ‘Holiday Touchdown’?
“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” isn’t about a certain real-life Chiefs love story that’s been making headlines — but there are plenty of playful winks to the romance between Taylor Swift and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Legendary NFL coach Andy Reid, who makes a cameo in the movie, referenced Kelce’s and Swift’s romance as he coached Jenna through her acting debut.
“I’m going to give you this play. We’re going to put No. 87 right here. And we’re going to put 13 right there,” he said, referring to Travis Kelce’s jersey number and Taylor Swift’s famously lucky number.
“And draw a heart around them and a friendship bracelet,” Jenna joked.
Donna Kelce, the mother of NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce, also makes a cameo in the film, and she and Jenna shared a cute moment on set.
“You should write a note, and I’ll put it in Travis’ locker,” Donna Kelce said.
Jenna grabbed a pen and paper and wrote, “Travis — You have made my girls love football! Thanks for all you do! Come see Hoda + me!”