Fa-la-la! Brandon Routh made his Hallmark Channel debut during the 2013 holiday season and fans can’t get enough of him — or his work.
The Midwest native is a master of all things Hollywood. He got his start in Hollywood in 1999. Routh, for example, starred in Christina Aguilera’s “What a Girl Wants” music video the same year he broke into the industry with a small role on Odd Man Out.
Routh made a name of himself in Superman ReturnsBefore landing the role as Daniel Shaw, ChuckIn 2010. He starred in his first Hallmark Channel movie three years later. The Nine Lives of ChristmasYou can also use it as a sidebar Kimberley Sustad.
Zachary Stone (Routh), a fireman, finds himself as the unwilling owner of a stray kitten that keeps showing up at his new home. Marilee White (Sustad) meets Zachary Stone through his furry feline. She ends up staying with him after her cat is evicted during the holidays.
The sweet story resonated with fans and made it a non-brainer for Hallmark Channel’s parent company, Crown Media Family Networks, to create a sequel eight years later.
“I was a little bit hesitant because I wanted to make sure it was a story worth telling,” the PartnersTV Fanatic reported in November 2021 that the actor from the alum told TV Fanatic he would be reprising his role. “And also that the film was going to have the same energy, the same level of humor and fun as the first one did.”
The Nine Kittens of ChristmasPremiered in fall 2021, it reunites Routh and Sustad. She is a staple of the network because of her many roles. The pair are now responsible for finding nine kittens a forever home and repairing their personal relationships.
The Anastasia actor gushed about his scene partner to TV Fanatic ahead of the movie’s premiere, saying, “Kim is so funny and great, and we have great chemistry and are both love comedic films. I think we work really well together.”
Sustad, for her portion, hinted at the possibility of another cat-filled movie down to the line, noting the fun it is working with Routh.
“We worked so great together. And actually, after, I was really sad, because I was like, ‘Well, are these two done now? Are Marilee and Zach done?’ I don’t know,” the Wedding Every WeekendIn November 2021, actress spoke to the outlet. “But it was kind of sad to hang up the hat, thinking that we were. Yeah. He’s fabulous. He’s the nicest person in the world, and he’s so kind and generous, and he’s a great actor. I couldn’t ask for a better scene partner, really.”
Fans can catch the original film while they wait to see if Routh and Sustad team up again. The Nine Lives of ChristmasOn Sunday, July 3rd, at 8 p.m., on Hallmark Channel ET. The movie will air as part of the network’s Christmas in July primetime schedule — which runs all month long.
Scroll down to find out more about the Hallmark charmer
