There's something truly special about Andrew Walker and his ability to sprinkle humor into his Hallmark films. In his latest festive flick, Christmas Island, Andrew not only delivered a heartwarming story but also added a little nod to his longtime buddy Tyler Hynes. It's the kind of inside joke that fans of Hallmark will love, and it shows just how much fun Andrew has while filming these movies.

Andrew Walker’s Sweet Tribute to Tyler Hynes in ‘Christmas Island’

Andrew and Tyler first teamed up in the 2022 Hallmark film Three Wise Men and a Baby, where Tyler’s character, Taylor Brenner, had a quirky habit of chewing on sweet treats throughout the movie. Andrew decided to bring a bit of that charm to Christmas Island, adding his own twist to honor his friend.

“I was standing there by the Christmas tree, and there were these candy canes hanging from it. It just hit me in that moment. I thought, ‘Why not give a little shout-out to Tyler and chew on one of these candy canes like he did in Three Wise Men?’” Andrew shared with Us Weekly back in November 2023. It’s these little moments that make Hallmark films so endearing, don’t you think?

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Are Andrew Walker and Tyler Hynes Related?

While Andrew and Tyler aren’t blood-related, they might as well be family. The two stars have been friends for years, and their bond runs deeper than just acting. Andrew’s wife, Cassandra Troy, happens to be Tyler’s cousin, which makes their friendship all the more special.

“Tyler and I have been close for a long time. We’ve been talking weekly for the past 19 years. It all started when he began visiting Cassandra’s family during Christmases back when I first met her,” Andrew revealed to Us Weekly in February 2023. “There’s a deep appreciation between us. We enjoy each other’s company, and we love to tease each other. Fans would definitely enjoy seeing more of our banter or even cameos from Tyler in future projects.”

Andrew Walker wears green velvet suit on red carpet — Olivia Wong/Getty Images

What’s ‘Christmas Island’ All About?

Set against the backdrop of a charming Nova Scotia community, Christmas Island follows pilot Kate Gabriel as she makes an emergency landing on the island due to bad weather. Andrew plays Oliver Macleod, the quirky air traffic controller who becomes an integral part of Kate’s unexpected holiday adventure. His character is nothing short of delightful, embodying the holiday spirit in every scene.

“My character is all about Christmas. He lives and breathes it,” Andrew enthusiastically explained. “When I was getting ready for my scenes, I wanted to make sure my outfit was as festive as possible. Initially, I only had my jacket on, but I felt like it needed more. I suggested adding a wreath around my neck or some ribbons. Anything to make the character more vibrant and fun.”

“Once I had all the festive decorations around my neck, I still felt like something was missing. That’s when I remembered the candy cane hanging from the Christmas tree. It was the perfect touch to bring even more holiday cheer into the scene,” Andrew added with a laugh.

As it turned out, his co-star Rachel Skarsten couldn’t help but notice just how quirky Andrew’s character was. “After a few takes, Rachel turned to me and said, ‘This character is the weirdest guy I’ve ever acted opposite.’ And I thought, well, maybe life imitates art because I’m also a bit of a weirdo myself,” Andrew joked.