Holiday Touchdown Cast Triumphs at Gracie Awards
Behind the scenes magic: women unite for the Alliance for Media’s top ensemble honour 2023
Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.
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Made For Tv Magic
Hallmark Channel’s holiday romance brought home a major prize on June 8, 2023, as the ensemble of “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” clinched the Gracie Award for Best Ensemble Cast in a Made for TV Movie. Presented by the Alliance for Women in Media, the Gracies celebrate programming and creators who advance women’s roles on screen and behind the scenes.
The film, which follows a professional football player and a dedicated small-town coach who team up for the season of love and community, resonated with audiences for its heartfelt performances. In accepting the award at New York’s Cipriani Wall Street venue, the cast emphasized the project’s collaborative spirit.
Hunter King’s Joyous Win
“Had the most incredible night at the Gracie’s Awards,” wrote Hunter King on Instagram, sharing a carousel of photos from the ceremony (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ7jzRNTQJ3/). In her post, the actress thanked the Alliance for Women in Media, writer Julie Sherman Wolfe and the Hallmark Channel team, and celebrated the film’s themes of “love, family, and community (and of course Christmas).”
King, known for her breakout roles on “The Young and the Restless” and the CBS sitcom “Life in Pieces,” also revealed a personal surprise: her sister presented the award, while their mother served as the evening’s “trophy girl.” “I mean… come on. It doesn’t get better than that🤍,” King added, capturing the family moment that capped the night.
Beyond her Gracie win, King’s Instagram feed highlights a busy year. In April she marked her appearance in the season finale of CBS’s “The Neighborhood,” calling it a chance to “work with old friends and make new ones” (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJSX_6rpAjT/). It’s clear that King has become a versatile presence across both network and cable, pivoting seamlessly between giggly rom-com moments and single-camera comedy.
Putting Women In The Spotlight
The Gracie Awards ceremony is itself a showcase of women’s achievements in media. Now in its 50th year, it honors talents from news, entertainment, and educational programming. The Best Ensemble category recognizes the combined performances that bring a TV movie to life—acknowledging chemistry, pacing, and emotional range.
Writer Julie Sherman Wolfe earned praise for crafting a story that balances small-town charm with high-stakes sports drama. Hallmark Channel executives highlighted how the cast—including King and her fellow leads—brought genuine warmth to a screenplay that celebrates hometown pride and holiday cheer.
In addition to ensemble honors, the evening also featured awards for news anchors, journalists, producers and on-air talent across television, radio and digital platforms. This year’s overall Gracie Award for Outstanding Host or Personality went to a veteran broadcaster for her work in late-night news, underscoring the wide scope of the Alliance’s mission.
Hunter King’s performance in “Holiday Touchdown” is the latest in a string of Hallmark credits. She previously starred in the network’s “A Christmas in Tennessee” and made guest appearances on several seasonal specials. Her win holds special significance as it spotlights women-led storytelling in a genre often dominated by male-driven narratives.
As the season of made-for-TV holiday movies ramps up, King and her co-stars set a new benchmark for ensemble excellence. Their Gracie trophy joins a growing collection of accolades for Hallmark, cementing the network’s reputation for family-friendly romance and community-focused storytelling.
With the Gracie Award safely on their mantel, the “Holiday Touchdown” ensemble is already eyeing future collaborations. Fans can expect more holiday cheer on Hallmark Channel this winter—and maybe another trophy to match.
Hunter King capped her post with a nod to the women who made the film possible—and a promise that this victory is just the beginning of a community-first approach to holiday love stories.
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