Rachel Boston & Brendan Penny: Hallmark's Dream Team

How a Hallmark Cruise Sparked a Holiday Movie Magic

When Hallmark Channel fans tune in for The More the Merrier this holiday season, they'll witness the captivating chemistry between fan favorites Rachel Boston and Brendan Penny. But what many don't know is that this on-screen pairing began with a chance encounter on a high-seas adventure.

The story starts at the 2024 Hallmark Christmas Cruise, where Boston and Penny first crossed paths. Despite being established Hallmark stars, the two had never worked together. That changed during a dress-up night when they took a bold step: approaching Tatiana Erasme, Hallmark's Head of Casting.

"We met one year ago on this cruise, and we made each other laugh a lot," Boston recalls. "We did not know each other before then at all, and we had a really good time on the cruise." Penny adds, "We threw the idea that we haven't worked together yet, we'd really love to, and if that was a possibility, to strongly consider it. And it landed."

From Cruise Ship to Christmas Eve Drama

Their wish came true in The More the Merrier, premiering November 28, 2025. Boston plays Dr. Alice, an emergency room physician volunteering on Christmas Eve, while Penny portrays Dr. Brian, a new cardiologist. When their rural hospital gets snowed in, the medical professionals face a triple baby boom on the world's rarest birthday.

"Though they may have different approaches to medicine—and to life—there's a spark between them, and by the end of their shift, it's clear that this may be the Christmas Eve that changes them both forever," reads the official synopsis.

Behind the scenes, the actors brought their real-life rapport to set. "We made each other laugh the whole time. I don't know how funny we were, but we made each other laugh," Boston admits, with Penny deadpanning, "I was hilarious." Their playful dynamic extended to creating backstories during a cruise game show, where they pretended to be newlyweds.

Baby Boom, Medical Miracles & Heartfelt Connections

Filming wasn't all laughs—especially when dozens of real newborns arrived on set. "When they came on set, you could hear a pin drop, which is something you can never hear on a film set unless you are rolling," Penny shares. "It was heaven," Boston adds, noting the nerve-wracking precision required when working with infants.

For authenticity, Boston consulted her sister-in-law, a nurse, while Penny leaned on the script's strong medical writing. "There are a lot of babies. It's called The More the Merrier, and it is a baby boom in this town on Christmas Eve," Boston explains.

The film also carries a deeper message through its connection to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Penny's character works with Hamlin's HeartMates program, which supports children with heart conditions. "What he's doing over there and what the whole organization is doing is absolutely fantastic. It was a real privilege to be able to promote it and give it the light that it deserves," Penny states.

A New Hallmark Tradition?

With their undeniable chemistry and shared sense of humor, fans are already hoping for more collaborations. Boston hints at the potential for their characters to reunite: "Getting to see two people that are also really intelligent who meet each other on the same plane, and they are now suddenly going to be working together for potentially years and years on end is an interesting way to start a Christmas movie."

As Boston proudly notes, Hamlin's involvement makes Buffalo very proud—a sentiment that mirrors how audiences will feel about this heartwarming holiday tale.