Meet the Stars of ‘To Philly with Love’: Rebecca Dalton and Stephen Huszar Lead Hallmark’s Heartwarming Cast

As the United States gears up to commemorate its 250th Independence Day, the Hallmark Channel has already captured the celebratory spirit with a fresh romance that draws inspiration from history.

To Philly with Love introduces audiences to Emily Hollister (played by Rebecca Dalton), a dedicated teacher and fervent history buff. She finds herself back in Philadelphia, tasked with readying her late grandmother’s home for sale. During this visit, Emily unravels a fascinating project her grandmother had embarked on, prompting her to seek assistance from Nate Callahan (played by Stephen Huszar), the chief archivist. Together, they embark on an exhilarating quest to decipher love letters from the Revolutionary War era. This journey through the historic streets of Philadelphia not only unearths forgotten tales of love but also sparks a romance of their own.

Philadelphia, known as the City of Brotherly Love, offers an ideal setting for this Hallmark feature. Its rich historical tapestry, vibrant culture, and iconic culinary delights, like cheesesteaks and water ice, enhance the film’s charm.

Curious about the characters in To Philly with Love? Our cast guide is the perfect companion to familiarize yourself with the faces behind the story before the film’s premiere. Don’t miss the debut of To Philly with Love tonight on the Hallmark Channel at 8/7c, with streaming available on Hallmark+ the following day.

1. In the film, Emily’s journey is deeply influenced by her grandmother, who was not only a fellow educator but also a historian. As Emily assists her mother in preparing the grandmother’s home for the market, she stumbles upon her grandmother’s unfinished historical project. This discovery leads her to Philadelphia’s archives, setting the stage for the unfolding adventure.

   Dalton has appeared in quite a few Hallmark Channel movies, with her latest before To Philly with Love being 2024’s Head Over Heels. TV series credits of hers include My Babysitter’s a Vampire, The L.A. Complex, Suits, Degrassi: Minis, and Good Witch.

2. Nate is the chief archivist, who takes a liking to Emily and her passion project. However, he is also navigating a lofty assignment from his boss in order to bring in donors to the archives.

   Huszar is no stranger to Hallmark, having most recently led 2025’s Melt My Heart This Christmas alongside Laura Vandervoort. He also starred as Detective John Cameron in the network’s The Jane Mysteries series.

3. Diane Hollister is Emily’s mother, played by Precious Chong. While Diane is thrilled to have her daughter home, she is very excited to see the spark back in Emily’s eye as she sets out to decode the Revolutionary War-era love letters left behind by her grandmother.

   Chong appeared in three episodes of SYFY’s Revival last year, and other TV credits of hers include Chucky and Murdoch Mysteries. On the film front, she’s appeared in 2001’s Pearl Harbor and 2014’s Playing It Cool, among many others.

4. Richard Kent (Michael Dickson) is Nate’s boss, who swoops in unannounced and tasks Nate with designing an exhibit to bring in donors. With little guidance from Richard and his project with Emmily, Nate certainly has his hands full.

   Dickson most recently appeared in Hallmark Channel’s A Christmas Angel Match, starring Benjamin Ayres and Meghan Ory. To Philly with Love marks a reunion with Dalton, as Dickson also appeared in Head Over Heels.

5. Linda, played by Mylene Carino, is a co-worker of Nick’s, who introduces him to Emily at the archives.

   Carino has earned credits on TV shows like Doc, Sheriff Country, DMV, and Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.

6. Lawrene Denkers plays Nancy Rolland, a friend of Emily’s late grandmother, who is a member of the historical preservation organization, Ladies of Liberty. When the nonprofit is at risk of being evicted, she seeks help from Emily.