Three years ago, Danica McKellar left Hallmark for Great American Family. In a recent interview, she explained why she made this big change despite success with the Hallmark Channel.
What did she reveal to Dancing With The Stars alum Cheryl Burke on a recent podcast?
Why Did Danica McKellar Leave Hallmark For GAF?
Three years ago, Danica McKellar left Hallmark for Great American Family. Why did she do this? She was recently on the Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans Podcast. Soon, her conversation with host, former Dancing With The Stars pro Cheryl Burke was about her departure from Hallmark to GAF.
So Great American Family channel was started by the man who ran Hallmark Channel for 20 years. Bill Abbott is his name. I credit him with reviving my career, giving me the genre. I did like 15 movies with him at Hallmark Channel. So, when he left to start his own network and he asked me to come along, I was like, ‘Yeah.’
She continued to explain how at Great American Family, she could sign an exclusive contract. She could not get that at Hallmark. Therefore, she chose GAF.
Furthermore, she was able to be an executive producer and develop projects. This allowed her to make two dance movies. Most of all, she feels grateful to Bill Abbott for giving her this opportunity.
Wonder Years Alum Only Made One GAF Movie In 2024
After moving to GAF, Danica McKellar made two movies per year for that network. However, this year she only made one, A Cinderella Christmas Ball, which premieres on GAF on Friday, November 29, at 8 p.m., Eastern. Could one movie a year be what is in her current contract? That information is not publicly shared.
However, it is not clear whether GAF is looking for younger actresses like Hallmark allegedly is. The Wonder Years alum turns 50 in January, which may curtail how many more romcoms she has in her future. This may also be the very reason that she jumped ship in the first place.
Many Hallmark fans were shocked when former casting agent, Penny Perry, 79, filed an age discrimination lawsuit against Hallmark. In that lawsuit, Perry claims that the network was trying to phase out older stars like the Queen of Christmas, Lacey Chabert, 42.
This could be another reason why more experienced talent like McKellar, and Candace Cameron Bure moved to GAF. However, CCB, who turns 49 in April, seems to have a better GAF contract as she is in four Great American Family movies in 2024, including two Christmas movies. But, Danica has done other projects outside of romcoms.
Romcom fans, why do you think Danica McKellar left Hallmark for Great American Family?