Well...life is an adventure. I'm so darn excited to share that I am going to appear in a new Christmas movie this winter! To say this has been a highlight of my year (my life?) is a huge understatement. Lots of smiles!

First: I am not an actor. And I have no aspirations to be an actor---mostly because I can't act, haha. (Just a small detail there.) I know this about myself, so when Food Network approached me a few months ago to let me know that they were stepping into the world of Christmas movies and wanted to gauge my interest in having a role in their first film, I experienced a few seconds of hesitation. "Um, but I can't act," I thought to myself. "I will embarrass myself, the network, my parents, my third grade teacher, my dogs, my cows, my children, and the southern half of the United States." I envisioned all sorts of worst case scenarios of forgetting lines, being awkward, and shutting down the entire production because I couldn't get the inflection right on a single word. And/or tripping on something and falling.

But then I came to my senses and thought "It's a Christmas movie!! No way am I passing this up!" And I said yes basically immediately. Then I went and made myself some peppermint hot chocolate even though it wasn't winter at the time.

I will tell more stories about the whole movie experience in the coming weeks, but here are a few basics: I play a small town bakery owner (hee hee), my character's name rhymes with Ree, and it's a relatively small, supporting role...but a fun one. There are some darling and amazing actors in the lead parts, and the story itself is so, so sweet. And romantic. And just happy and fun. It will get you in the holiday spirit, just like all the good holiday movies do!

The movie is called "Candy Coated Christmas," and it will air on Discovery Plus in November. It's Discovery's first scripted movie---what better way for them to jump into that world than with a super adorable Christmas movie. Here is an article where you can read a lot more details about Discovery, Food Network, and their decision to make this movie! Such a fun, happy idea. Here are a few pics!

This is just before the director yelled "action!" on the very first scene I filmed. I was wildly nervous, still worried about embarrassing my third grade teacher, and my knees were locked.

ree drummond films a scene in "candy coated christmas" on discovery plus this winter
Ree Drummond

I'm amazed I didn't faint, like you see happen in occasional wedding videos where a bridesmaid goes down. Oh, it was also 90-plus degrees outside when I was filming this scene! Sweat was trickling down my back, which actually made me chuckle to myself and help put me at ease a little bit.

Here's another photo: Look at those locked knees! 😂

ree drummond in "candy coated christmas" on discovery plus
Food Network

Disclaimer: No cooking show hosts fainted during the filming of this movie.

Here's me and the writer/director of the movie, Ellie Kanner. I can't say enough about her!

ree drummond and director ellie kanner on the set of "candy coated christmas" on discovery plus
Ree Drummond

As for my acting performance...I will not be holding my breath for any acting accolades or awards, but the good news is that I didn't fall down while filming (sometimes that's the most I can hope for) and I got to see the excitement of a movie set first hand! I hope you are able to watch it (I'll keep you posted on when it will air) - and I hope you get a kick out of my first---and maybe last? haha---acting role.

Thank you so much for letting me share, and thank you to Food Network for giving me this very unique chance to be a part of the kind of Christmas movie I've always loved watching. What a memory!

Headshot of Ree Drummond
Ree Drummond

I’m a desperate housewife, I live in the country, and I’m obsessed with butter, Basset Hounds, and Ethel Merman. Welcome to my frontier!