Guarding Stars: Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki Holiday Rom-Com Movie News - Netflix Tudum

  • News

    Guarding Stars: Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki to Star in Holiday Rom-Com 

    Based on the novel The Bodyguard by Katherine Center, the festive film also stars Andie MacDowell.

    By Ruth Kinane
    Jan. 9, 2026

What do you get the person who already has everything for Christmas? A security professional, perhaps.

Leighton Meester (Good Cop/Bad Cop, I Love LA, The Buccaneers) and Jared Padalecki (Supernatural, Walker) are set to star in Guarding Stars, an upcoming holiday romantic comedy movie about a no-nonsense bodyguard assigned to protect a charming action star over the holidays. Of course, sparks fly, secrets unravel, and Christmas gets a lot more complicated!

Popular Now

  • The Gentlemen Season 2 Cast: Meet Eddie’s Growing Empire of Allies and Enemies
    Three stylish people stand on a grand stone balcony in front of an elegant building at dusk, with a tiger at the bottom of the image, creating a dramatic and luxurious atmosphere.

Guarding Stars is inspired by the 2022 novel The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum (Aquamarine, Purple Hearts, Ginny & Georgia), written by Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith (Isn’t It Romantic, Virgin River) and Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo, and executive produced by Robin Fisichella, the rom-com will also star Andie MacDowell (Groundhog Day, Four Weddings and a Funeral), the country singer Walker Hayes in his acting debut, Noah LaLonde (My Life with the Walter Boys), Toby Sandeman (Running Point, Voicemails for Isabelle), Rachael Ancheril, Phil Brooks, Ava Max, and Shaun Johnston. Producers include Matthews and Scharbo with Little Engine Productions (Isn’t It Romantic, 13 Going on 30, Reminders of Him), and Jared and Genevieve Padalecki with Living in the Asterisk.

“I began paying close attention to BookTok culture around the success of my last Netflix film, Purple Hearts,” says Allen. “The overwhelming enthusiasm on social media and with readers for Katherine Center’s novel was a major factor in my decision to come on board as director. It’s been amazing to work closely with Katherine so far and to see her so excited about moving her witty story about a no-nonsense bodyguard [for] an A-list actor into the holiday season. It makes the most gorgeous backdrop for the sparks that fly between them to be even brighter.” 

There’s no release date for the movie yet, but keep coming back to Tudum for more updates on Guarding Stars.

Christmas Movies To Stream This Holiday Season
Related Tags
  • Comedy
  • Based on a Book
  • Rom Com
  • Romance
  • News
  • Article

Shop Guarding Stars

Go to Netflix Shop

News

  • It’s Time to Saddle Up for a Lonesome Dove Adaptation 
    Two Texas Rangers, one last cattle drive, and the untamed wilderness lie ahead. 
  • The NFL legend comes out of retirement for the 2026 season.
  • The broadcast has Hall of Famers and Super Bowl champions heading down under.
  • Plus: The second seasons of The Gentlemen and Leanne make strong debuts.
  • First-ever Australia regular season game starts five-game 2026 slate on Netflix.
  • See the actors in character in Dolly Alderton’s Austen adaptation.
  • Test your wits with challenges inspired by your favorite Netflix worlds.
  • NFC West rivals meet Sept. 10 in the first regular season game down under.

Comedy

  • The BAFTA-winning comedy series returns for a third reunion film.
  • These selections will have you reminiscing about trips to the video store.
  • Plus Crew Girl, Call My Agent! The Movie, DANG!, The Perfect Lie, and more.
  • The series is debuting this September — here’s how to feel the school spirit.

Latest News

Popular Now

  • Uncover the secrets of the new crime thriller based on Alex North’s novel.