Alison Sweeney is captivating audiences this holiday season with two highly anticipated Hallmark releases that showcase her talent for blending warmth, mystery, and charm.

This season, Sweeney celebrated a major milestone by starring in her 30th Hallmark holiday film, This Time Each Year, alongside Niall Matter. Meanwhile, fans of her popular mystery franchise were thrilled to see her reprise her role as the beloved baker-turned-detective Hannah Swensen in A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, marking the 10th film in the series.

Both films capture the hallmarks of Sweeney’s career – solid and relatable characters and stories that resonate with audiences during the holiday season.

In A Sprinkle of Deceit, Hannah is catering a high school reunion when a sudden death turns it into a crime scene. Teaming up with Chad (Victor Webster), Hannah uses her charm and determination to investigate, delivering the suspense and small-town warmth fans love. New characters and twists keep viewers guessing, while Hannah’s mother, Delores (Barbara Niven), adds humor and heart with her unexpected role in the investigation.

You can watch the trailer for A Sprinkle of Deceit below.

While Sweeney’s mystery-solving alter ego brings a thrill to the season, her role in This Time Each Year shifts gears toward a heartfelt holiday narrative about love and family. The film follows Lauren (Sweeney) and her estranged husband, Kevin (Niall Matter), as they work to co-parent their young son amid a trial separation. When Lauren’s mother arrives unexpectedly, the couple agrees to pretend they are still together, rekindling memories of their past and perhaps a spark of hope for the future.

The film captures the emotional nuances of family relationships, forgiveness, and rediscovering love, bringing warmth and nostalgia to Hallmark’s Miracles of Christmas lineup.

As both an actress and executive producer, Sweeney continues to captivate Hallmark audiences with her remarkable ability to bring complex, heartfelt characters to life. Whether navigating the emotional depths of holiday romance or solving suspenseful small-town mysteries, Sweeney’s talent shines through in every role.

This season, she delivers two standout performances, blending the warmth of holiday cheer with the intrigue of a gripping whodunit. With her 30th Hallmark holiday film, This Time Each Year, and the 10th installment of her beloved Hannah Swensen mystery series, A Sprinkle of Deceit, Sweeney offers fans the perfect mix of joy and suspense.

We sat down with Alison for an exclusive Q&A to talk about these exciting projects and what continues to drive her as both an actor and a producer.

 

 

 

 

 

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Fandom Daily: Alison, you come from an incredible background and have built such a dynamic career. What drives you to keep pushing forward with each project?

Alison Sweeney: "The number one thing that drives me is my love for storytelling. I’m passionate about developing characters and stories that resonate with fans. The real payoff is when fans tell me how much they love what I do. Just recently, a woman in a grocery store quoted one of my movies back to me! Those moments keep me inspired and eager to dive back in and do it all over again."

Fandom Daily: You're clearly passionate about what you do. Speaking of that, you're about to release your 10th movie in the “Hannah” series. What’s it like to return to this character time and time again?

Alison Sweeney: "When I first started playing Hannah, I never imagined I’d still be doing it a decade later. But the fans’ love for this character and the world of Hannah Flint — her mom, her sisters, and the love triangle — has kept it going. It's truly rewarding. Hannah is confident, independent, and has her own successful bakery, yet she always finds herself solving a crime using her instincts and intuition. Playing her is so fulfilling, and I love stepping into her shoes."

Fandom Daily: You've had quite a journey playing Hannah over the course of these 10 movies. What have you learned from her along the way?

Alison Sweeney: "Hannah is someone who is comfortable in her own skin and pays attention to the little details. She loves her work and takes things as they come, which is a great reminder to be present in your own life. I love how she can pick up on the small things people might miss, and sometimes even solve secondary mysteries on the side, like fixing a couple’s misunderstanding! She's taught me to enjoy the moment and not rush through things."

Fandom Daily: You’re about to premiere your 30th movie with Hallmark! That’s incredible. How does that milestone feel?

Alison Sweeney: "I honestly can't believe it! It’s surreal to think of all the characters I’ve played and stories I’ve told with Hallmark. From mystery-driven plots with a touch of action to the heartfelt rom-coms, I've been lucky to experience so much variety. And then there are the Christmas movies – I’m a Christmas fanatic, so those are always special to me. This 30th film feels like a culmination of my growth as both an actress and filmmaker over the past decade."

Fandom Daily: Let’s flash back to your very first Hallmark movie. What was that experience like for you?

Alison Sweeney: "My first Hallmark movie, which ended up being titled Hearts Afire, was such a sweet experience. I was a single mom in the film, and my character falls in love with a firefighter, played by Greg Vaughn. I knew right then I loved being part of this world, and Hallmark was so open to my ideas. They welcomed my input, which eventually led to me producing and working behind the scenes on my next film. It was a great beginning that paved the way for everything I've done with Hallmark since."

Fandom Daily: Your upcoming movie premieres soon on Hallmark’s Miracles of Christmas lineup. What excites you most about this one?

 

 

 

 

 

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Alison Sweeney: "This one’s really special because it allows us to explore deeper, more emotional themes. Niall plays Kevin, a character who’s been sober for a year and is facing the holiday season with all its challenges. My character and Kevin have been separated but are still very much in love, and they’re trying to work through their issues. It’s a realistic, heartfelt story about love, redemption, and the work it takes to keep a relationship strong. I think audiences will connect with it and see parts of their own lives reflected in it."