A Hollywood star is among the actors filming a new Christmas movie in Hay-on-Wye.
Actor and model Rachael Leigh Cook, who rose to fame in the 1999 teen classic She’s All That, has been linked to Doubly Booked, a Hallmark movie currently being filmed in Hay-on-Wye.
A chair bearing her name has been spotted.
Production has transformed the border town into a stunning winter wonderland, complete with artificial snow, twinkling lights and Christmas trees. Filming began on June 15 and is expected to continue throughout the week, with key locations including High Town, Market Street and the area outside Hay Castle.
The film crew has decorated shopfronts and public spaces, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Emily Daw, director of Hay Markets, said: “It’s all very exciting in Hay right now.
“It will help promote Hay in the US.”
She explained that the transformation has spread throughout the centre of town.
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Ms Daw said: “Loads of local shops have had their windows dressed as if it’s Christmas, all along High Town and Market Street, and in the honesty bookshop of the castle, where they borrowed some of our market gazebos to set up a Christmas market.”
Rachael Leigh Cook has had a diverse and successful career in film and television.
Born in Minneapolis in 1979, she began as a child model before landing roles in family films like The Baby-Sitters Club and Tom and Huck.
Her breakout performance as Laney Boggs in She’s All That cemented her status as a ’90s teen icon.
She went on to star in cult favourites such as Josie and the Pussycats, and has appeared in television series including Psych, Las Vegas, and Criminal Minds.
She is also well-known among gaming and animation fans for voicing Tifa Lockhart in the Final Fantasy franchise.
In recent years, she has become a regular in made-for-TV and streaming romantic comedies, both starring in and producing films like Frozen in Love and Love, Guaranteed.
The new film being shot in the town on the Herefordshire-Powys border, inspired by Hay-on-Wye itself, aims to capture the charm and spirit of the town of books.
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Filming is taking place largely overnight, from around 4pm to 3.30am, to minimise disruption to residents and visitors.
High Town is closed to traffic during these hours, with additional restrictions in place in nearby car parks.
Parts of Oxford Road car park and Market Square car park are also shut overnight to accommodate production vehicles, with partial access to Market Square car park maintained during the day.
The production team has worked closely with the community to ensure a smooth process.
A letter from Doubly Booked Ltd said: “We are so excited to be coming to Hay – the place that inspired this film – and wanted to thank all who have helped with our planning so far.”
Hallmark Media, the company behind the project, is based in Studio City, California, and operates several cable networks as well as the streaming service Hallmark+.
Locals have also been given a chance to take part, with members of the community appearing as extras in the film.
The crew has expressed gratitude for the warm welcome they have received in Hay-on-Wye, and excitement continues to build as the town enjoys its moment in the spotlight.
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