Barbara Alyn Woods, who grew up in Darien and attended Hinsdale South High School, plays a supporting role in Hallmark Channel's new holiday movie "Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story."

The film premiered Oct. 17 on Hallmark Channel as part of the network's annual Countdown to Christmas lineup. It began streaming the following day on Hallmark+.

Woods plays Jody, the mother of the movie's lead character, a freelance reporter named Avery who returns to Chicago from New York at Christmastime. According to ChicagoBears.com, Avery gets the chance to write about a Bears superfan named Darlene, played by Marsha Mason, who is attending her 500th game. Darlene plays matchmaker between Avery and her grandson Matt, a Chicago firefighter played by Robert Buckley.

Woods is best known for her role as Deb Scott on the TV series "One Tree Hill," where she appeared alongside Buckley. She told ChicagoBears.com she jumped at the part without reading the script.

"When my manager called me about the project, he said, 'it's Hallmark, it's Chicago, it's the Bears.' I said, 'I'm in. I don't need to read the script. I don't care what the character is. I'm in, of course,'" Woods said.

In a separate behind-the-scenes feature, Woods said her family still lives in the Chicago suburbs. She recalled being in Chicago in 1985 when the Bears won the Super Bowl, calling the experience of filming back home "surreal" and saying she kept sending photos to her family on set.

The City of Darien shared the news on X on Oct. 23, noting Woods grew up in Darien and attended Hinsdale South.

The movie features cameos from Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, coach Ben Johnson and former Bears stars Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton and Charles "Peanut" Tillman. Connie Payton, widow of Bears legend Walter Payton, also appears.

The Chicago Tribune reported the film is packed with Chicago locations. Scenes featuring Woods's character were filmed at the Irish Nobleman Pub in West Town.

The "Holiday Touchdown" franchise previously featured the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills before turning to Chicago for its third installment. Hallmark Media, the NFL and Skydance Sports produced the film in partnership with the Bears.

Woods attended Northern Illinois University after Hinsdale South. She has acted professionally since 1988, with credits including "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show," "Seinfeld" and "Desperate Housewives." She appeared in 106 episodes of "One Tree Hill."

"Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story" is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark+.