Hallmark Sweetheart Jessica Lowndes Was Previously a Teen Drama Queen

You might recognize her as the brunette, bright-eyed heroine from many of your favorite Hallmark and Great American Family films, but before she was playing those channels’ dream girl, Jessica Lowndes was a fan-favorite teen star.

Prior to her switch to family-friendly films, Lowndes had a starring role on the 2008 reboot series 90210, on which she portrayed teen drug addict Adrianna  Tate-Duncan — about as far removed from her small-town, big-romance persona as one could get. And aside from her acting skills, Lowndes is also a talented singer-songwriter, having released a lot of her own music over the years.

The actress has since switched over to Great American Family, where she has continued to film more rom com-esque movies, perfect for the upcoming cold weather and cozy nights. Take a walk down memory lane and see where else you might recognize Jessica Lowndes from!

Jessica Lowndes young

Before she was one of our favorite heroines, Lowndes was getting her start in acting at the age of 16. She began scoring minor roles in movies and TV shows, including Saving Milly (2005), The Haunting of Molly Hartley (2008) and Greek (2008).

By the time 2008 rolled around, Lowndes had scored her breakout role in 90210 alongside Shenae Grimes-Beech and Annalynne McCord. Although her character was a bit unlikeable to start, her growth and story tugged on the heart strings.

“90210 is something that I will always be extremely grateful for,” Lowndes explained. “I learned so much over the course of five seasons. I grew as an actress, as a person and as a musician. It gave me the platform and a voice to help people, to hopefully inspire people to follow their dreams.”

Once the series came to an end in 2013, Lowndes moved on to projects like The Prince (2014), Eden (2014) and A Deadly Adoption (2015). By 2015, the actress made her move to Hallmark.

Lowndes joins the Hallmark family

In 2015, Lowndes made nearly a full-time jump to the Hallmark Channel and immediately became one of their big stars, starring  in nearly 10 of their movies prior to making the switch to Great American Family.

“Hallmark was my first home and believed in me enough that they would do this.  It's incredible to have their support,” Lowndes said in a 2019 interview.

If you’re looking to catch some of Lowndes’ best Hallmark films, here is a list of our favorites!

1. Merry Matrimony (2015)

Brie (Lowndes) gets the opportunity to organize a beautiful Christmas wedding for a fashion magazine. If she succeeds, Brie will be able to make partner. But when she finds out she’s partnered with her ex-boyfriend, Eddie (Christopher Russell), who happens to be the fashion photographer, Brie isn’t so sure she can make it work.

2. A December Bride (2016)

Lowndes portrays Layla, an aspiring interior designer who has to attend her cousin’s upcoming wedding. The snag? She’s marrying Layla’s ex-fiancé. When Seth (Daniel Lissing), who introduced the happy couple, offers to attend the wedding with Layla, she accepts, but when he gets carried away and announces their engagement, Layla has to keep up with the fa?ade.

3. Magical Christmas Ornaments (2017)

Marie, a publishing executive, begins receiving family Christmas ornaments from her mom. But as she gets each one, something positive happens in her life, including an introduction to the handsome nurse, Nate (Brendan Penny), from next door.

4. Yes, I Do (2018)

Lowndes plays the ex-girlfriend, Nicole, to James, a man who has been left at the altar twice by chocolatier Charlotte. Now that Charlotte is ready to marry James, she must find a way to let him know. But when Nicole shows back up in town, it becomes increasingly hard for Charlotte to share her feelings.

5. Christmas at Pemberly Manor (2018)

Event planner Elizabeth (Lowndes) is sent to a small town at Christmastime to organize their holiday festival. Elizabeth soon meets billionaire William Darcy (Michael Rady), who is selling the estate she hoped to use as a venue. When he reluctantly agrees, Elizabeth and Darcy begin to plan together and eventually start falling for each other.

6. Over the Moon in Love (2019)

Brooklyn (Lowndes), a match-maker whose business is about to be shut down, gets the opportunity to be featured in a magazine. But when she has to set up the writer with her childhood friend, Devin (Wes Brown), she realizes she might have feelings for him.

7. Mix Up in the Mediterranean (2021)

When a small-town cook (Jeremy Jordan) impersonates his big city chef twin (Callum Blue) in a cooking contest, he ends up falling for the event’s host, Meg (Lowndes). But Meg thinks the chef is the brother who is married.

8. High Flying Romance (2021)

Hannah (Lowndes) falls for recent widow Gavin (Christopher Russell), who she has a shared interest with in the upcoming kite festival. But when his ex-girlfriend shows up, Hannah is unsure what exactly Gavin really feels about her.

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