Ashley Williams and Andrew Walker Joke About 'When You Kiss Your Friends' in Movies — and How Their Kids React (Exclusive)

The kiss at the end of a Hallmark movie may seem romantic, but Jingle Bell Run actors Ashley Williams and Andrew Walker admit filming these scenes can be a bit “weird”.

And that’s it not only because the actors are surrounded by the director and at least a dozen other members of the cast and film crew, and everyone is watching breathlessly.

“It’s a circus. It’s a freak show,” Walker, 45, who has appeared in more than 30 Hallmark movies, admits to PEOPLE while on set outside Vancouver, Canada. “I’m used to it now, but we had our kissing scene at the end of last week and it’s always weirder to do that when you know someone so well. And I know her husband so well, we’re really good friends.”

Ashley Williams and Andrew Walker host PEOPLE behind the scenes of the Hallmark Channel Jingle Bell Run (Exclusive)

In fact, Williams, 46, and her husband, Neal Dodson, and Walker and his wife, Cassandra Troy, are neighbors and recently worked together at the Dance Party to End Alzheimer’s (both Williams and Walker lost parents to the disease). But Jingle Bell Run marks the first time they have made a film together.

Ashley Williams and Neal Dodson.

Presley Ann/Getty

“When they first called me about this film, they said, ‘It is Amazing race but on Christmas”. And then they said it was going to be with Andrew Walker, and I said, ‘Where do I apply?'” says Williams. “We live two minutes away from each other and we have two boys who are the same age and who love each other. I can’t believe we never made a movie together. So this is such a dream come true.”

Williams has two sons, Gus (10) and Odie (7), while Walker has West (10) and Wolf (4).

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Walker laughs as he shares the story of how their children are learning about this new movie. “West was in the car and he said, ‘So, Dad, I was talking to Jonah and Jonah said you and Gus’s mom are going to kiss in your next movie!'”

“9 year gossip train! We made it there!” Williams, howling. “The fact that they said ‘kissing’ makes me think they don’t understand at all.”

Andrew Walker and Cassandra Troy.

Amanda Edwards/Getty

However, Walker admits that he gets very warm when he watches the finished films with his family.

“The moment the kiss happens, they’re both going to look at me,” he says. “My four-year-old will say, ‘Dad, you can’t do that!’ Or they’ll be very quiet and then try to physically hurt me a little after that.”

All New 2024 Christmas Movies Coming to Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix, Great American Family and More

For another movie this year, Falling TogetherWilliams was partnered with another longtime friend and Hallmark colleague, Paul Campbell. The two even sang a little tune about the awkwardness of filming kissing scenes.

Ashley Williams and Paul Campbell in Falling Together.

Bettina Strauss/Hallmark Media

“We came up with a song to the tune of ‘Twist and Shout’ [by The Beatles] which read: “When you kiss your friend, when you kiss your friend, it’s really weird, you kiss your friend.” And then it evolved, like, ‘It’s normal now, to kiss your friend. Oooooh!'”

“It’s just part of the job,” Williams adds. “But it’s funny.”

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Jingle Bell Run will rebroadcast on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, November 17th at 6:00 PM ET/PT and is available to stream on Peacock.

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Source: HIS Education