Well...life is an adventure. I'm so darn excited to share that I am going to appear in a new Christmas movie this winter! To say this has been a highlight of my year (my life?) is a huge understatement. Lots of smiles!
First: I am not an actor. And I have no aspirations to be an actor---mostly because I can't act, haha. (Just a small detail there.) I know this about myself, so when Food Network approached me a few months ago to let me know that they were stepping into the world of Christmas movies and wanted to gauge my interest in having a role in their first film, I experienced a few seconds of hesitation. "Um, but I can't act," I thought to myself. "I will embarrass myself, the network, my parents, my third grade teacher, my dogs, my cows, my children, and the southern half of the United States." I envisioned all sorts of worst case scenarios of forgetting lines, being awkward, and shutting down the entire production because I couldn't get the inflection right on a single word. And/or tripping on something and falling.
But then I came to my senses and thought "It's a Christmas movie!! No way am I passing this up!" And I said yes basically immediately. Then I went and made myself some peppermint hot chocolate even though it wasn't winter at the time.
I will tell more stories about the whole movie experience in the coming weeks, but here are a few basics: I play a small town bakery owner (hee hee), my character's name rhymes with Ree, and it's a relatively small, supporting role...but a fun one. There are some darling and amazing actors in the lead parts, and the story itself is so, so sweet. And romantic. And just happy and fun. It will get you in the holiday spirit, just like all the good holiday movies do!
The movie is called "Candy Coated Christmas," and it will air on Discovery Plus in November. It's Discovery's first scripted movie---what better way for them to jump into that world than with a super adorable Christmas movie. Here is an article where you can read a lot more details about Discovery, Food Network, and their decision to make this movie! Such a fun, happy idea. Here are a few pics!
This is just before the director yelled "action!" on the very first scene I filmed. I was wildly nervous, still worried about embarrassing my third grade teacher, and my knees were locked.
I'm amazed I didn't faint, like you see happen in occasional wedding videos where a bridesmaid goes down. Oh, it was also 90-plus degrees outside when I was filming this scene! Sweat was trickling down my back, which actually made me chuckle to myself and help put me at ease a little bit.
Here's another photo: Look at those locked knees! 😂
Disclaimer: No cooking show hosts fainted during the filming of this movie.
Here's me and the writer/director of the movie, Ellie Kanner. I can't say enough about her!
As for my acting performance...I will not be holding my breath for any acting accolades or awards, but the good news is that I didn't fall down while filming (sometimes that's the most I can hope for) and I got to see the excitement of a movie set first hand! I hope you are able to watch it (I'll keep you posted on when it will air) - and I hope you get a kick out of my first---and maybe last? haha---acting role.
Thank you so much for letting me share, and thank you to Food Network for giving me this very unique chance to be a part of the kind of Christmas movie I've always loved watching. What a memory!
Ree Drummond is the founder of The Pioneer Woman and a lover of butter, basset hounds and life on the ranch! Ree started her blog in 2006, and now millions visit ThePioneerWoman.com every month for her trusted recipes and fun family stories. Here’s what she has been up to since it all began:
New York Times Bestselling Author
Ree has written two memoirs (Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, and Frontier Follies) plus nine bestselling cookbooks:
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl (2009)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier (2012)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays (2013)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime (2015)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! (2017)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier (2019)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy (2021)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready! (2023)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes (2025)
Food Network Host
Since 2011, Ree has been sharing simple, family-friendly recipes—and the occasional kitchen prank!—on her award-winning show The Pioneer Woman, filmed right on Drummond Ranch. Ree is also a regular judge on Food Network competitions, including Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Founder, The Pioneer Woman Collection
Ree has been creating and selling kitchen and home products at Walmart since 2015 and she’s involved in designing every piece and pattern. The line now includes best-selling appliances (you have to see the floral blender!), plus hundreds of pieces of cookware, tableware, and more. Ree doesn’t like to play favorites but the Agatha print has a special place in her heart.
Restaurant and Hotel Owner
Together with her husband Ladd, Ree has opened several bustling businesses in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, including The Pioneer Woman Mercantile—a bakery, restaurant, and general store that draws visitors from across the country (many come for the biscuits alone!), P-Town Pizza, Charlie’s Ice Cream Shop, and The Boarding House, a charming hotel with eight different rooms decorated by Ree and Ladd.
Media Personality
Ree appears regularly on national TV shows like Today, Good Morning America and more—all while managing to keep flour off her shirt.
Wife, Mom and…Grandma!
Ree’s kids (daughters Alex and Paige and sons Bryce and Todd) are all grown up, and as of December 2024, Ree is the proud grandma of the cutest baby ever, Sofia Scott, born to Alex and her husband Mauricio. Ree still cooks for Ladd (and the kids when they’re home), and she also looks after a few mischievous ranch dogs.
