Blair Waldorf and Dean Forester in a Christmas romance? Netflix might just have delivered the ultimate cosy crossover. Well, almost.
Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki, best known to a generation of television lovers for playing Blair in Gossip Girl and Dean in Gilmore Girls, are joining forces for Guarding Stars, a festive romantic comedy that already has nostalgia-loving fans excited.
And really, what’s not to love? Two familiar faces from beloved 2000s television shows, a fake-dating romance, a handsome Hollywood heartthrob, a Montana ranch and plenty of Christmas magic. Based on Katherine Center’s bestselling novel The Bodyguard, the upcoming Netflix movie has all the ingredients of a holiday comfort watch, with a little action thrown in for good measure.
From the story and star-studded cast to the snowy Canadian scenery standing in for Montana, here’s everything to know about Guarding Stars ahead of its November release.
What Is the Plot of Guarding Stars?
Guarding Stars follows Hannah Brooks (Leighton Meester), a professional bodyguard who finds herself with a rather unusual assignment: protecting Hollywood action star Jack Stapleton (Jared Padalecki).
Jack is heading home to his family’s ranch in Montana for the Christmas holidays, but there’s one small problem. He’s being threatened by a stalker, and the last thing he wants is to worry his family, particularly his unwell mother. The solution? Hannah must pretend to be his girlfriend. Naturally, things don’t go quite according to plan.
As Hannah settles into Jack’s family Christmas celebrations, the pair find themselves spending rather a lot of time together. Between the festive traditions, romantic surroundings and increasingly blurred professional boundaries, their fake relationship begins to feel a little too real.
The film is adapted from Katherine Center’s 2022 novel The Bodyguard, although Netflix has given the story a festive makeover, moving the action from the book’s Texas setting to Montana.
Who Stars in Guarding Stars?
Let’s be clear: the casting is half the excitement.
Leighton Meester plays Hannah Brooks, the no-nonsense bodyguard who unexpectedly finds herself navigating a fake romance with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Meanwhile, Jared Padalecki plays Jack Stapleton, the charming action star Hannah is hired to protect.
Seeing these two familiar television faces paired together in a festive romance feels like a particularly nostalgic treat for anyone who grew up watching Gossip Girl and Gilmore Girls.
And the cosy television connections don’t stop there. Noah LaLonde, known for playing Cole Walter in Netflix’s My Life with the Walter Boys, also appears, alongside Andie MacDowell, whose credits include Groundhog Day and Four Weddings and a Funeral. The supporting cast includes country singer Walker Hayes, Toby Sandeman, Rachael Ancheril, Shaun Johnston, Phil Brooks (also known as CM Punk) and pop star Ava Max.
The movie is directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, whose previous credits include Purple Hearts, Aquamarine and Ginny & Georgia.
Is There a Trailer for Guarding Stars?
Yes! Netflix unveiled the official Guarding Stars trailer in October 2026, giving fans their first proper look at Meester and Padalecki together.
Where Was Guarding Stars Filmed?
If the thought of spending Christmas on a beautiful Montana ranch sounds appealing, Guarding Stars might just inspire your next winter getaway.
Although the story takes place in Montana, the movie was actually filmed in Canada, primarily around Calgary, Alberta, with additional production activity in British Columbia. And it’s easy to see why Alberta was chosen.
With its sprawling ranch country, charming small towns, snow-covered landscapes and the magnificent Canadian Rockies nearby, the province offers exactly the kind of scenery you’d expect from a cosy Christmas romance set in the American West.
Filming also took place around High River, a picturesque Alberta town already familiar to television fans as a main filming destination for Heartland. Calgary and its surrounding landscapes have become popular with filmmakers looking to recreate the rugged beauty of the American West, and Guarding Stars is another addition to that list.
For anyone dreaming of their own winter escape, Alberta offers plenty of opportunities to embrace the atmosphere, whether that’s exploring Calgary, visiting nearby mountain towns or enjoying the snowy landscapes of the Canadian Rockies.
What Has the Cast & Crew Said About Guarding Stars?
Director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum has revealed that the popularity of Katherine Center’s original novel played a major role in bringing her to the project.
Speaking to Netflix’s Tudum, Rosenbaum explained that she became interested in the enthusiasm surrounding BookTok while working on her previous Netflix film, Purple Hearts.
She was particularly drawn to the Center’s romantic story and the opportunity to set it at Christmas, making the backdrop even more magical for Hannah and Jack’s developing relationship.
The stars have also been sharing their excitement about the festive movie. Speaking to PEOPLE, Meester described the film as an entertaining combination of romance, action and comedy, while Padalecki expressed his hopes that Guarding Stars could become one of those holiday favourites viewers return to year after year.
When and Where Will Guarding Stars Be Released?
Guarding Stars will premiere globally on Netflix on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, including in the United Kingdom and the United States.