'Taking A Shot At Love': Meet Alexa PenaVega and Luke Macfarlane, the cast of Hallmark's rom-com

Here's all you need to know about the cast of 'Taking A Shot At Love'
(Hallmark)
(Hallmark)

Christmas has passed, but the cheer continues on Hallmark Channel as 2021 is waiting at the threshold. Their New Year New Movies begins with 'Taking A Shot At Love', which will air in January 2021. How do you feel about watching a cheesy rom-com about a professional ballet dancer and an NHL star, trying to make ends meet?

The title says it all. The rom-com is about taking a shot at love and fighting through the odds. The story goes like this: Jenna is a professional ballet dancer who teaches ballet to children in Connecticut and one day her sports agent cousin asks her to help with the rehab of his hockey player client Ryan “Coop” Cooper. After the rent on her dance studio rises, many of her students decide to drop her class to join a competitive dance group and so Jenna has to take the job, albeit reluctantly. Coop is forced to embrace ballet as therapy, as that is his only way to get back on the ice. He rents the house on Jenna's farm and after some not-so-pleasant conversations, he begins to follow her instructions and makes progress in his recovery. Needless to say, romance begins to blossom between them. However, it's soon time for him to return to NYC, and he and Jenna need to decide what paths they want to take. 

The synopsis reads: "Former professional ballet dancer Jenna works with NHL star Ryan Cooper to help him recover from an injury using ballet as therapy, and as they grow close, he helps her mend her injured heart. But when it’s time for Ryan to return to the ice and leave Jenna and her small, Connecticut town, they both must consider the paths they want to take and just maybe, love will find its way."

Here's all you need to know about the cast. 

Alexa PenaVega as Jenna 

Alexa PenaVega (Getty Images) 

PenaVega is known for her role as Carmen Cortez in the 'Spy Kids' franchise. She has also competed on Season 21 of 'Dancing With The Stars' when paired with Mark Ballas. She has appeared in multiple Hallmark Channel films including 'Ms. Matched', 'Destination Wedding' and 'Christmas Made to Order'. 

Luke Macfarlane as Ryan Cooper 

Luke Macfarlane  (Getty Images)

MacFarlane is known for playing Scotty Wandell on the ABC television drama 'Brothers & Sisters', RAC Agent D'avin Jaqobis on the Space television science fiction series 'Killjoys' and the romantic lead in a number of Hallmark Channel Christmas movies.

'Taking A Shot At Love' will air on January 2, Hallmark Channel at 9 pm. 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Star Wars Funday Football’ will stream on Disney+ and the ESPN App, with the animated game also airing on Disney Channel and Disney XD.
2026-10-20T07:15:06.000Z
The Prime Video romantic comedy’s next chapter brings a new director and a move to Italy.
2026-10-19T19:26:54.000Z
'C.L.A.Y.' marks Simon Afram’s feature directing debut, with filming set for November in London.
2026-10-19T18:18:23.000Z
The sequel to the 2011 motion capture adventure now has a finished script and a director
2026-10-19T07:16:32.000Z
The movie was first announced months after ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ closed the Skywalker saga
2026-10-19T04:56:20.000Z
‘You Can See Everything’ takes an unexpected turn after Elizabeth Holmes begins her prison sentence.
2026-10-17T16:42:01.000Z
Diablo Cody’s latest comments give ‘Jennifer’s Body’ fans a new reason to keep an eye on the sequel.
2026-10-17T14:59:25.000Z
Soderbergh will direct the last weeks of shooting on the DC sequel while Reeves stays off set
2026-10-17T04:14:54.000Z
‘Red Rising’ is a popular sci-fi dystopian franchise that has sold more than six million copies
2026-10-17T03:44:38.000Z
Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim filmed Elizabeth Holmes for 34 days before she reported to a Texas prison
2026-10-16T08:41:10.000Z