Stream It Or Skip It?

The Hallmark Channel continues its Countdown to Christmas with A Newport Christmas, an entertaining new romantic comedy-drama that sweeps viewers away with a time-bending, heartwarming tale. Ginna Claire Mason and Wes Brown star as our star-crossed lovers who manage to fall for one another despite coming from vastly different time periods. Will time and fate be what tears them apart, or was this love truly meant to be all along? You can probably guess which (this is Hallmark after all, happy endings are their bread and butter), but you’ll still have fun watching it all go down anyway.

The Gist: Ella Stewart Grafton (Ginna Claire Mason) is a generous and warm-hearted socialite living in Newport, Rhode Island, in the year 1905. All she wants is to use her privilege and wealth to spread good in the world and give back to her local community, following her heart and making her beloved late mother along the way. Unfortunately, when she asks her father, Albert (Joseph Dellger), if she can relocate her designated future wedding funds to instead create a charity to help struggling Newport families, he immediately shuts her down and insists that she do what he says and marry who he chooses for her. Never one to go down without a fight or do exactly as she’s told, the forward-thinking Ella runs off for a solo ride on her schooner, Beneficence, to clear her head. Ella’s head grows even more muddled, however, when she wishes on the great Christmas Comet for another life and true love and immediately ends up in 2025 Newport with an unknown man in her boat.

This man is local historian and former Coast Guard member Nick McManny (Wes Brown), who is equally terrified to see a strangely dressed woman suddenly appear in his boat, The Gilded Age, in the middle of open water. Poor Ella is understandably freaked out by her familiar yet wholly unfamiliar surroundings, while a bewildered Nick believes her to be a very dedicated Ella Stewart Grafton cosplayer. He humors Ella by taking her to her home estate, which is now a museum where he works alongside fellow tour guide Francis (Evan Alexander Smith) and museum director Christine (Talia Robinson). When Ella proves to know way more about the Stewart estate than she should, the three employees slowly come around to the idea that, against all odds, Ella really is who she says she is.

With this in mind, they’re determined to keep Ella from being spoiled about her future, which is pretty difficult considering she’s now known as an important historical figure and local hero, especially after founding local charity The Giving House. Ella is overjoyed to know that her dreams came true and is desperate for more information, but everyone around her keeps telling her to let fate run its course. However, when personal artifacts, memorials, and brainchilds from an Ella yet to come start disappearing in the present, Ella, Nick, Christine, and Francis all grow more frantic in their attempts to send her back and preserve history. Throughout it all, there is also the mystery of Ella’s future spouse, a Navy man named “Rex Grafton,” whom she had never met in her original time. When a man with the same name exists in 2025, she’s even more confused to find herself more drawn to Nick than her supposed future spouse. Even with 100 years between them, could the unmoored Nick find a true anchor and permanent home in Ella, or does fate have other plans?

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: A Newport Christmas may remind viewers of other Hallmark time travel holiday romances like A Biltmore Christmas, A Timeless Christmas, and Journey Back to Christmas. Additionally, Ella’s wide-eyed awe at everything around her (as well as everyone assuming that she’s just a dedicated cosplayer) is quite reminiscent of Buddy in Elf.

Performance Worth Watching: Ginna Claire Mason is charming and likable as Ella. Her pure excitement, amazement, and sometimes horror at the new modern world around her is constantly entertaining, and she’s just so easy to root for.

Memorable Dialogue: I quite enjoyed this exchange (and first Nordstrom Rack callout of several) between Ella and Christine upon their first meeting:

“My goodness! What is this darling ensemble you’re donning?”

“Uh, a jumpsuit.”

“Says who?”

“Nordstrom Rack?”

“I don’t know Sir Nordstrom Rack. Could you introduce me to him?”

Honorable mention to this other little amusing line from Ella: “Look at me, in my pants, drinking the milk of an oat from a paper cup. If my father could see me now!”

Sex and Skin: None.

Our Take: Time travel stories can be very difficult to pull off, but A Newport Christmas does it well, managing to avoid overcomplicating things or getting lost in the sauce of sci-fi temporal rules by instead focusing on the characters and their bonds with one another. As a result, it’s extremely easy to buy into the story and get invested right away, with lovable characters, strong chemistry amongst the cast, and moments of genuine humor and heart sprinkled throughout.

Both Ginna Claire Mason and Wes Brown do a nice job carrying the film on their capable shoulders with great line readings, a quality connection, and full commitment throughout the entire film. Talia Robinson and Evan Alexander Smith also deliver solid performances as Christine and Francis, which further help flesh out and breathe life into the world of this holly jolly time-bending tale. It’s a true Christmas treat in that it’s festive, pleasant, and sweet. What more can you want in a Hallmark holiday title?!

Our Call: A Newport Christmas is a well-paced, engaging, and feel-good delight. Do yourselves a favor and STREAM IT!

Maddy Casale is a Chicago-based writer and comedian who covers everything from animated series to Hallmark movies. Follow her on Duolingo @MCasale.