Chicago Fire Stars You Never Realized Were In Hallmark Movies

On the surface, NBC's "One Chicago" franchise and Hallmark's ever-expanding slate of original TV movies could not be more different. After all, Hallmark's output is known for being cozy, idyllic, and uncomplicated (though, that's not to say Hallmark movies aren't worth your time). Meanwhile, high-stakes dramas like "Chicago Fire" frequently place their flawed characters in life-or-death situations against the backdrop of the big city (even if the show is unrealistic in its own way from time to time). That being said, there is crossover.

Although she's known for her roles in Hallmark movies like "The Baker's Son" and "One December Night," Eloise Mumford was a recurring cast member on "Chicago Fire" during Season 6 in 2017, and later returned as a guest star in Season 8, two years later. Similarly, fellow Hallmark staple Eric Mabius, who's appeared in films like "Welcome to Christmas" in addition to being one of the main stars of the "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" series, also made several guest appearances on "Chicago Fire" during Seasons 3 and 4, back in 2015.

The reverse of this phenomenon is also true. Many actors who are better known for "Chicago Fire" have taken a walk on the not-so-wild side by starring in lighthearted Hallmark fare — and we wouldn't be surprised if some of them have flown under your radar. Here are a few "Chicago Fire" stars you may not have realized were also on Hallmark.

Jocelyn Hudon is a relatively recent addition to the "Chicago Fire" cast, having joined in 2024, though she's certainly made an impact during her time on the hit show thus far. Hudon, who plays Lyla Novak, joined in a recurring capacity during Season 12. And, like many of her co-stars who have made appearances across the "One Chicago" universe, Hudon has also guest-starred on "Chicago P.D." and "Chicago Med." However, long before "Chicago Fire" elevated Hudon by introducing her to a more mainstream, broadcast-TV audience, she had appeared in quite a few projects over on the Hallmark Channel. 

Hudon's very first Hallmark role was all the way back in 2015, when she appeared in "Good Witch Halloween" (which just so happens to be the feelgood network's best-reviewed Halloween movie). She later appeared in a few episodes of the Hallmark original series "When Calls the Heart" alongside starring in the first season of its spinoff, "When Hope Calls." Some of Hudon's other Hallmark credits include movies like "Love in the Maldives," "Romance with a Twist," and "Falling in Love in Niagara" — which premiered the same year she initially joined the cast of "Chicago Fire." 

In fact, it appears as though Hudon made it a point to lock in after making the trip from Hallmark over to the Windy City. Speaking on the official "One Chicago Podcast" in 2025, the actor confessed that joining a tight-knight cast 12 seasons in was more than a little intimidating. "I just basically tried not to mess up the whole time," Hudon reasoned. Considering how quickly she was promoted, it's safe to say she succeeded.

Brett Dalton and Eloise Mumford were never on "Chicago Fire" at the same time. She boarded the show in a recurring capacity in 2017, and hasn't been seen on it since her departure in 2019, at the time of writing. Meanwhile, Dalton joined the cast of "Chicago Fire" in 2021 before bowing out in 2022 after nine episodes. However, while they may not have ever crossed paths on the set of the popular NBC procedural, the two actors did work together on the Hallmark Channel. Dalton and Mumford were two of the four leads in the 2021 Hallmark original movie "One December Night," the other two being Peter Gallagher and Bruce Campbell. It's worth noting that while "One December Night" was Dalton's final Hallmark movie, for the time being at least, it was far from his first. 

The actor also appeared in the likes of "Cooking with Love," "Once Upon a Christmas Miracle," and "Just My Type" from 2018 to 2020. Dalton, who's best known for his villainous role in the ABC drama "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," opened up about what drew him to the more lighthearted world of Hallmark with MediaVillage in March 2020. "I was looking for something different and 'Cooking with Love' came along," he shared. "The script had two people coming together who you wouldn't necessarily think were meant to be with each other. I found their paths so interesting. That's why I got involved." Dalton continued, "It's pretty hard not to fall in love with the Hallmark family because they take such good care of everyone and make you feel super welcome." 

Steven R. McQueen, the grandson of '60s Hollywood legend Steve McQueen, is almost certainly best known for his starring role as Jeremy Gilbert on The CW's beloved teen drama "The Vampire Diaries." However, McQueen also served as a main cast member on "Chicago Fire" for a brief time. He joined the show as Jimmy Borrelli at the start of Season 4 in 2015, and remained a central presence up until Borrelli's departure shortly after the beginning of Season 5 in 2016. Similarly brief was McQueen's subsequent working relationship with the Hallmark Channel. At the time of writing, he has only collaborated with the network on one project thus far.

McQueen starred opposite Poppy Drayton in the Hallmark original movie "Home by Spring," which premiered in March 2018 — about two years after his "Chicago Fire" exit. And while he has yet to sign on for a second Hallmark production, McQueen did at least seem to appreciate the experience of getting to try something new as an actor. "Nothing really surprises me anymore. It's a life where you get to sample all aspects of life. I'm excited to be where I am at and for what's next," he admitted during a chat with Seat42F the same month "Home by Spring" debuted. "Everything we work on we seem to take a little lesson along with it," McQueen added.

As for what lessons his Hallmark movie taught him, the actor explained that he appreciated "Home by Spring" for what it had to say about the twists and turns people often experience in their lives. "I always enjoyed understanding how where someone comes from can define them. How a hundred forks in the road get you to where you are now," he pointed out.

Jeff Hephner has had something of an on-and-off relationship with "Chicago Fire." He appeared as Jeff Clarke in the vast majority of Season 2, in 2013 and 2014, and later returned for a handful of Season 5 episodes in 2016 and 2017. Hephner also made a significant impact elsewhere in the "One Chicago" universe, most notably starring in most of "Chicago Med" Season 2, also in 2016 and 2017. Much like fellow "Chicago Fire" star Steven R. McQueen, Hephner's relationship with the Hallmark Channel was rather fleeting. That being said, it also wasn't strictly a one-time thing.

Hephner's first Hallmark collaboration was all the way back in 2006, when he starred in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie "The Water Is Wide," which originally aired on CBS. Over a decade later, after his time as part of the "One Chicago" franchise came to an end, Hephner appeared in another Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, "Love Takes Flight," which premiered on the Hallmark Channel itself in 2019. "It's my second Hall of Fame," Hephner proudly noted in an interview with TV Insider that very same year. "I did one very early in my career called 'The Water Is Wide' [...] It was great. But I was a very young, inexperienced idiot back then. It's nice to get another swing at it as a grown-up." 

Hephner also spoke highly of Hallmark Hall of Fame in general, arguing that some huge names have been involved in the movies released under that banner. "[The list is] very long and very distinguished. It's kind of neat to be part of that," he opined.