Though Virgin River has celebrated the holidays before, A Pickleball Christmas marks Allen’s first official plunge into the feel-good holiday movie world. The decision, she admits, was deeply personal. A lifelong fan of Hallmark- and Lifetime-style comfort viewing, her father played a big role in nudging her toward the project. For Allen, the film represents more than a seasonal genre shift — it’s a love letter to optimism, warmth, and believing in people again.
Working within the holiday-movie rhythm also surprised her. The festive tone, upbeat pacing, and clear emotional stakes created a space where competition and romance could coexist without cynicism. That balance, she says, is what ultimately sold her on the story.
And the pickleball journey may not end here. Allen has already floated the idea of bringing the sport into Virgin River, joking that it’s a ready-made skill she can offer the show. Between off-set games, portable nets, and playful pitches to the showrunner, she’s clearly not done serving up ideas.
Whether or not pickleball ever reaches Virgin River, Allen’s holiday debut feels like a win — joyful, unexpected, and perfectly on brand for an actress unafraid to follow where passion leads.
