Joe Pantoliano (Bad Boys franchise, The Sopranos) is joining the starting lineup of Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story, currently shooting in and around Buffalo, New York. Pantoliano is taking over for the previously announced Tony Danza, who had a last-minute scheduling conflict with production dates. Pantoliano’s addition to the cast marks a reunion with his former Sopranos co-star, Steve Schirripa.
“We feel fortunate to draft Joe Pantoliano to our all-star cast and welcome him to the Hallmark family,” remarked Samantha DiPippo, SVP, Programming, Hallmark Media. “Joe is an incredible addition to this winning team.”
The Quinns and DeLucas have lived next door to each other for decades in the shadow of Highmark Stadium – the home of their beloved Buffalo Bills. With their longtime friendship rooted in being proud members of Bills Mafia, the two clans have enjoyed cherished traditions that revolve around cheering for their favorite team – especially at the holidays when they celebrate the last home game before Christmas. Pediatric doctor Morgan Quinn (Holland Roden) and the Bills’ VP of Stadium Development Gabe DeLuca (Matthew Daddario) have always been close friends, but Gabe has always held a torch for her -a fact obvious to their families (Tracy Pollan, Caroline Aaron, Steve Schirripa, Patti Murin)…and everyone else who crosses their path. When Morgan learns from her Uncle Tommy (Pantoliano) that someone anonymously helped her family get by after he was drafted more than 60 years ago – and that he continues to receive a Christmas gift each year to this day –she decides to find his benefactor and give her uncle a Christmas he’ll always remember. Aided by Bills Mafia friends of theirs, Morgan and Gabe work together to unwrap the gifter’s identity. Along the way, Gabe’s love for Morgan deepens and in turn, she begins to see him in a new light though neither is daring enough to admit their feelings. Meanwhile, Morgan’s hopes of pulling off her surprise for Uncle Tommy get sacked. That is, until Gabe takes matters into his own hands and uses his connections with the Bills to pull off the surprise of a lifetime for Morgan and both their families that will make this a Christmas they’ll never forget.
Skydance Sports serves as the Executive Producer of Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story. The studio is a joint venture between Skydance and the NFL to produce premium content across a broad range of sports and formats.
Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story is from Hallmark Media. Jonathan Eskenas and Kimberley Bradley are executive producers. Andrew Gernhard serves as producer and Molly Mayeux is line producer. Dustin Rikert directs from a script by Vanessa Marano and Danielle Morrow.
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