Ashley Williams Joins Disney Directors Program, Continues Hallmark Journey
Longtime Hallmark star Ashley Williams has made an exciting leap in her career. She earned a coveted spot in Disney Entertainment Television’s 2024-2025 Directing Program. After honing her directorial skills for eight years, Williams will now have the opportunity to shadow successful directors. She will also get to direct a Disney-produced series and work closely with other program cohorts. This opportunity will also help her earn her Directors Guild of America membership.
Balancing Act: Ashley Williams’ Dual Roles
Williams has been skillfully juggling her responsibilities as both an actress and a budding director. In fact, she shared a humorous anecdote about managing these dual roles while on the first-ever Hallmark Christmas Cruise in November. During the cruise, she had to attend a gala event and simultaneously participate in a virtual production meeting for an ABC series she was directing.
This kind of multitasking is nothing new for Williams. She has been adeptly balancing her on-screen and behind-the-scenes work for years.
Behind-the-Scenes at Hallmark
Williams’ dedication to directing is evident in her actions. When she’s not in front of the camera, she’s often found shadowing directors on Hallmark movie sets. She even goes as far as changing out of her movie wardrobe and into her regular clothes to stand by and learn from the directors.
This hands-on approach has allowed her to gain valuable insights and experience in the field of directing.
A Busy Year for Ashley Williams
The last quarter of 2025 was particularly eventful for Williams. She launched her first unscripted series, Small Town Setup, on Hallmark+. She is also gearing up to film two movies in Spain with her Hallmark colleague Alison Sweeney.
Additionally, she participated in numerous fan events, including the Hallmark Christmas Experience in Kansas City and the Hallmark Christmas Cruise. During this time, she was also quietly chosen as one of the cohorts in Disney’s directing program.
Disney Directing Program
Williams’ inclusion in Disney’s 2024-2025 Directing Program is a significant milestone in her career. The year-long program offers her the chance to shadow experienced directors, direct a Disney-produced series, and collaborate with other cohorts. This opportunity will also help her earn her Directors Guild of America membership, further solidifying her credentials as a director.
Future Plans and Aspirations
Despite her new role with Disney, Williams has reassured fans that she has no plans to leave her acting career behind. She expressed her love for acting and her intention to continue taking on acting roles as long as she is hired.
At the same time, she remains passionate about directing and aims to direct a Hallmark series in the future.
Support from Colleagues
Williams’ announcement about joining Disney’s directing program was met with an outpouring of support from her Hallmark colleagues. Many of her co-stars and friends, including Lacey Chabert, Bethany Joy Lenz, Pascale Hutton, Melissa Peterman, and Will Kemp, sent her congratulatory messages.
Sarah Drew, a rom-com screenwriter and star of Mistletoe Murders, expressed her excitement for Williams. Meanwhile, Crystal Lowe, an aspiring director in Williams’ Make Her Mark program, showed her admiration with a comment of *RESPECT!!!*
Conclusion
Ashley Williams excels both in front of and behind the camera. Her inclusion in Disney’s 2024-2025 Directing Program is a testament to her hard work and dedication over the past eight years.
As she continues to balance her acting and directing careers, fans can look forward to seeing even more of her exceptional work on both Hallmark and Disney platforms.
