Hallmark’s “The Finnish Line” isn’t just another snow-dusted romance. It’s a story about legacies—those we inherit and those we create. Kim Matula stars as Anya, a woman determined to honor her late father by competing in the grueling 40th annual Joulurauha dog sled race across the breathtaking Finnish wilderness. Grief, it turns out, is best faced at 30 miles per hour with a pack of huskies.
But Anya isn’t going it alone. She’s got a rookie canine companion and a reluctant partner in Cole (Beau Mirchoff), a former racer turned journalist tasked with covering her story. Mirchoff brings his usual amiable charm, but it’s the dogs that threaten to steal every scene. Seriously, Hallmark, give these furry dynamos their own spin-off.
Naturally, the race isn’t a leisurely stroll through a winter wonderland. Anya has some serious competition, most notably her father’s old rival, Monty (Páll Sigþór Pálsson). Expect some icy glares and maybe even a little sabotage – this is Hallmark, but with a competitive edge. While the romantic tension between Anya and Cole thaws faster than a snowball in July, the race itself offers at least the pretense of suspense.
“The Finnish Line” is familiar Hallmark territory, but the unique setting and dog-centric plot inject some fresh adrenaline into the network’s usual holiday formula. Nichole Sakura rounds out the cast.
The Finnish Line airs Sunday, December 1 at 8/7c on Hallmark.
