Alexa And Carlos PenaVega Sign Multi-Picture Deal With Hallmark
By Movieguide® Contributor
Christian acting duo, and husband and wife, Alexa and Carlos PenaVega have signed a multi-picture deal with Hallmark.
The PenaVegas have worked with the network before — Alexa starred in DESTINATION WEDDING, CHRISTMAS MADE TO ORDER, and TAKING A SHOT AT LOVE, while Carlos appeared in A MIDNIGHT KISS.
The couple starred together in ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS, LOVE AT SEA, and LOVE IN THE LIMELIGHT, as well as three installments of Hallmark’s PICTURE PERFECT MYSTERIES.
“Alexa and Carlos PenaVega have become an important part of the Hallmark family over the years and we couldn’t be happier to extend our partnership with them,” said Lisa Hamilton Daly, Executive Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Media. “Whether starring together or headlining their own movies, the energy, creativity and passion they bring to each project is infectious and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”
The PenaVegas are just as excited about the partnership.
In a joint statement, the couple said, “Hallmark has become a second home for our family. Over the last four years they have given us opportunities to grow as actors and producers all while raising our children, even if it means having the family on set! Developing projects alongside them has been a highlight of our careers thus far. We are thrilled to be able to continue creating content that is family friendly and current, while maintaining its core values that we love so much. Hallmark is special and we are looking forward to many more projects together.”
The PenaVegas are very open about their faith, and even moved their family from Hollywood to Hawaii in an effort to live in a more faith-based community. Movieguide® previously reported:
As the couple started to look elsewhere for a new home, faith became the determining factor for their movie.
“We visited Maui and we started finding all of these young Christian couples,” Carlos said. “We prayed on it and then we moved here three months later.”
The couple said that their new community’s support and time to rest confirmed that their decision to move was beneficial for their growing family.
“We immediately felt that weight lifted,” Alexa said. “We can really recharge here and it’s been awesome to have a community that’s supportive.”
The couple continues to work in entertainment but emphasizes that they are in it together.
The PenaVegas competed against one another on DANCING WITH THE STARS in 2015, recently starred in indie drama MIGHTY OAK, and starred in the Hallmark series PICTURE PERFECT MYSTERIES.
“Getting to work together enables us to bring the family everywhere,” Carlos explained.
Alexa added: “I’ve never been in one place for more than three or four months. I didn’t know how badly we needed as a family to set our roots. It’s given us a chance to create those routines with our family. The L.A. mentality is work hard, play hard. We’re all about working hard, but first and foremost, it’s our faith and our family.”
Their partnership might mark a change for Hallmark. The network drew criticism for pushing “woke” themes in their content, which led to many of their viewers and stars turning to Great American Family. However, it seems Hallmark is reversing this decision. The network recently teamed up with Nikki DeLoach for its first faith-based movie. Movieguide® previously reported:
Nikki DeLoach is revealing more details about her upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie, THE GIFT OF PEACE.
According to The Hollywood Reporter: THE GIFT OF PEACE follows “a once-devout Christian who stopped believing in God after her husband tragically died. As her second Christmas without him approaches, she tries going to a support group for inspiration and comfort.”
“It’s the first faith-based movie that Hallmark has ever done,” DeLoach shared. “And I’m a person of deep faith so it was really cool to be a part of that.”
She continued, “[THE GIFT OF PEACE is] about grief and it’s one of the most emotional movies Hallmark has ever done so we’re kind of breaking the mold with this one.”
The message of overcoming grief was one that hit close to home for the actress.
“I lost my dad last July at 66 years old, and what I’m learning is that it really helps when you can connect with other people and share your grief with others,” DeLoach explained. “We think we have to go through things in isolation and it’s just not the way we’re supposed to human. This movie is kind of a blueprint of how to find the joy and the light amid the grief.”
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