If you’ve watched Autumn Reeser long enough, you know she brings a certain spark to the screen — a warmth, a wit, a grounded emotional intelligence that makes every character feel lived-in.
We Met in December taps directly into that magic. It’s the kind of Hallmark story that plays like an adult fairy tale, built around the idea that one beautiful encounter — one night, one conversation, one kiss — can change everything.
When I sat down with Autumn (after apologizing for my menopause-fogged glasses — she immediately cracked, “It just means you’re that steamy” — so yes, she set the tone), we dove right into that irresistible setup.
“I really think it can happen that quickly…”
The movie opens with Annie (Reeser) and Dave (Niall Matter) crossing paths on an unexpected mid-December layover at a dreamy, fully decked-out hotel.
They talk, share hopes and fears, and connect like it means something… and then miss each other the next morning before sharing personal details that would allow them to take the moment from fantasy to reality.
But the connection is so strong that neither of them can shake it, and Autumn knew exactly why she wanted to share this story.
“I’ve certainly had this experience in my life,” she told me.
“Not the exact same, but meeting someone and just going, ‘This is an incredible person. This is an incredible experience.’ And I love following these two adults — because this is a very adult story — falling in love in one night. I really think it can happen that quickly and that easily.”
She said what makes this story special is its clarity.
“They know exactly how they feel. There’s nothing withholding or unsure about it. The pull is so strong that nothing can keep them away.”
That’s what struck me, too. There’s no false conflict here. No “what if he’s not into me?” handwringing. It’s just two grown-ups who trust what they felt and try to find their way back to each other.
A mystical layer — literally
Autumn shared something I didn’t expect. There are moments from her real life that aligned eerily with the movie.
She told me that the place where Annie and Dave eventually reconnect (no spoilers!) mirrored her grandmother’s wedding photo.
“I was in the middle of shooting and suddenly realized, ‘Oh my gosh, this is my grandmother’s wedding photo.’ It’s not that there’s a wedding in the movie — not saying that — but the alignment in the image was so powerful. I was literally standing inside my grandmother’s wedding photo.”
And then it got stranger.
Annie’s most treasured possession in the film is her grandmother’s sewing machine. During filming, Autumn’s sister — who had no idea what Autumn was shooting — texted her out of nowhere.
“Do you want Grandma’s sewing machine?”
Autumn laughed, telling me this, but she also looked a little wide-eyed remembering it. “From a purely mystical level, I had to say yes.”
These are the beautiful, weird synchronicities she said she felt were woven into the whole experience.
Presence over presents
One of my favorite threads in the film — and in our conversation — was the idea of being present. Annie and Dave connect so deeply because neither of them is distracted. They’re not on their phones. They’re not guarded, and they’re not half-listening while thinking about the next thing.
They’re fully there. So I asked Autumn how she feels about that message.
“Presence has been a big message for me lately,” she said. “Presence over presents. During the holidays, people think because they’re giving gifts, they don’t have to give their actual presence. But everything you need — every bit of love or medicine or clarity — is available in the present moment.”
She laughed softly. “It’s challenging. The game is set up with distractions everywhere. But when you choose presence, the world opens up to you.”
She loved that the film taps into that idea. When I suggested that holidays sometimes invite us to be more present, she agreed — cautiously.
“If you choose it,” she said. “A lot of people escape into their phones or football games because family dynamics can be overwhelming. That’s actually why I love Hallmark movies — families can sit together and find something they all enjoy. It creates connection even when connection is hard in other ways.”
A touch of vintage magic
If you loved Autumn’s Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade (and I did — it’s one of those cozy comfort movies that sticks with you), you might get a similar emotional vibe from We Met in December. I told her the movie evoked those same warm feelings.
She lit up.
“That was my very first Hallmark movie,” she said. “And yes, both characters have this vintage feminine quality. They’re the sum of their experiences, and they bring that with them. It’s a beautiful through-line.”
She also praised director Jonathan Wright for the film’s visual style.
“He did such a beautiful job with the interesting camera angles and these almost 60s vintage slide elements. It’s a simple story, but those choices make it feel special.”
Working with Niall Matter
Chemistry is everything in a movie like this, and Autumn couldn’t say enough about her co-star.
“I adore Niall. He’s fun, he’s present, he’s a really good guy, and he’s a great actor. Working with him was super fun.”
And that connection shows on screen. It’s effortless, warm, and believable from their first moment.
So what does she hope viewers take away?
Presence. Pure and simple.
“These characters don’t show up looking to fall in love. They’re just living their lives. Annie isn’t reserved or recovering from heartbreak — she’s good. And she’s willing to show up for this magnetic moment. That’s how some of the best experiences in my life have unfolded.”
If people could do the same, she says, “I think we’d all have a lot more fun in life.”
Beyond Hallmark: Autumn on stage in London (!)
At the end of our chat, Autumn mentioned she had just completed a world tour with the Work Juice Players and their long-running show Thrilling Adventure Hour. She played Amelia Earhart on stage in London — her first time performing there.
“It was magical,” she said. “I didn’t even realize how magical until I was in the middle of my segment, hearing the audience laugh. Suddenly it hit me — I’m on stage in London. I hope we get to do that tour every other year.”
She also noted how special it is that Hallmark is leaning more into fan experiences — cruises, holiday events, interactive moments — because it allows actors to connect with the people who hold their movies close.
“People share their experiences with these movies, including really difficult moments in their lives. Being there to witness that exchange feels really good.”
A perfect movie for being present
We Met in December is a soft kind of magic. It’s not flashy or chaotic. It’s just a gentle, lovely story built around a connection we all secretly dream of and the willingness to show up for the moment when it arrives.
Autumn embodies that so beautifully.
And after watching the movie and chatting with her, now I’m even more convinced that the universe sometimes taps us on the shoulder when we’re not expecting it.
We Met in December premieres on Thursday, November 27 at 8/7c, on the Hallmark Channel. It’s the perfect cap to your Thanksgiving meal, so don’t miss it!
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