Don't Miss 'Outlander's Sam Heughan in Hallmark Movie, 'A Princess for Christmas'

Katie McGrath, Sam Heughan

Before there was Outlander—the TV series, not the book—Sam Heughan starred in a Hallmark Christmas movie called A Princess for Christmas.

And with Droughtlander back in effect (Part 2 of Season 7 of Outlander won't return until 2024), what better way to get your Sam Heughan fix than by watching one of his first cinematic performances?

A while back, Parade.com spoke to Heughan about A Princess for Christmas, and this is what he had to say.

"I think I am a better actor now, but I love that movie," he told Parade.com in an exclusive interview. "I got to work with Roger Moore. He is one of the most famous Bonds and it was incredible. All of those jobs are the precursor to what I am doing now. I met great people. Interesting, my butler in that (Miles Richardson), he was in [season 5] of Outlander. He played one of the redcoat officers and Tim Downie, who played Governor Tryon, also played my butler in a Tennent’s advert, so we have a great photo where I am with my two former butlers who are now redcoats."

When is A Princess for Christmas on in 2023?

A Princess for Christmas originally premiered Dec. 3, 2011, on Hallmark Channel in the U.S., and it will once again air on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel in 2023 but you'll only have once chance to watch on the network: Thursday, Nov. 30 at 4 a.m. ET, so set your DVRs.

If you can’t watch A Princess for Christmas on Hallmark, it is also streaming for free on Amazon Freevee.

A Princess for Christmas is the story of Jules Daly (Katie McGrath), a devoted aunt who becomes the legal guardian for her teenage nephew Milo (Travis Turner) and young niece Maddie (Leilah de Meza) after the death of their parents in an accident the previous year. Things aren’t going well for the family. In fact, Jules loses her job just before the holiday when the owner of the antique shop where she works is forced to lay her off due to slow sales.

Related: Sam Heughan Wants to Tell You a Story, and It's the 3-Minute Reprieve From Droughtlander You Need

So, Jules is at home one evening trying to decide what to do when a strange man knocks on her door and invites her to Europe for the holiday. It turns out that Jules’ late sister was married to nobility. He was the heir to Edward (Roger Moore), the Duke of Castlebury Hall, who promptly disowned his son for marrying an untitled American.

But now with the passage of time and the death of his son, Edward decides he wants to meet his grandchildren. So he sends his butler Paisley Winterbottom (Miles Richardson) with an invitation to come and spend the holidays at his home and it is he who knocks on Jules' door.

She initially is reluctant to agree to the trip, which includes three first-class tickets and a check for $12,000 for traveling expenses, but she finally decides that Milo and Maddie, who have so little family left, deserve to meet their grandfather.

She is hoping for a magical Christmas for the kids, but when they arrive, Edward is sorry he invited them and has done nothing to make his home festive for the holidays. He says Christmas now reminds him of his son’s death.

Related: See Inside the Luxury Farmhouse Outlander Star Sam Heughan Purchased Outside Glasgow

Of course, Jules also meets Ashton (Heughan), Edward’s younger son, and the two have a quick courtship, fall in love and...(spoiler alert)...marry. But that doesn't reveal much—it's the way all Hallmark holiday movies go. But, no one's watching for the storyline—we're watching to see Heughan play a prince.

An interesting tidbit about the film, Peles Castle, the royal palace of the Romanian kings, which is located in Sinaia, Romania, doubles for Castlebury Hall in the movie with its gorgeous architecture and furnishings.

Anyway, we've compiled these photos from the film for you who need little dose of Heughan today.

View the 26 images of this gallery on the original article

Next, Ho Ho Hilarious! These Are 57 of the Funniest Christmas Movies Ever Made