Netflix has released the official trailer for Guarding Stars, an upcoming holiday romantic comedy starring Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki. The film arrives on November 18, 2026, bringing Katherine Center’s 2022 novel The Bodyguard to the screen. Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, the adaptation follows a professional bodyguard whose assignment to protect a famous action star takes an unexpected romantic turn during the Christmas holidays.
MOVIES
Meester plays Hannah Brooks, a no-nonsense security professional who takes responsibility for protecting Hollywood actor Jack Stapleton, played by Padalecki. After a stalker threatens Jack, Hannah accompanies him to his family’s ranch in Montana for the holidays. Their arrangement becomes complicated when she agrees to pose as his girlfriend, creating an increasingly personal situation between the two characters.
The newly released trailer introduces the central relationship and the circumstances surrounding their unusual holiday arrangement. Scenes of snowball fights, Christmas tree decorating and horseback riding establish the festive setting, while action sequences reflect the security concerns that brought Hannah into Jack’s life. Their professional relationship gradually develops into a romance as the holiday visit brings unexpected emotions and family complications.
The film draws inspiration from Center’s bestselling romantic comedy novel, transferring its central relationship into a Christmas setting. Rosenbaum, whose previous directing credits include Aquamarine, Purple Hearts and Ginny & Georgia, developed the adaptation with an interest in the novel’s popularity among readers and its potential for a holiday film.
Beyond Meester and Padalecki, the cast includes Andie MacDowell, whose previous films include Groundhog Day and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Country singer Walker Hayes makes his acting debut, joining Noah LaLonde of My Life with the Walter Boys and Toby Sandeman of Running Point. Rachael Ancheril, Phil Brooks, pop singer Ava Max and Shaun Johnston complete the announced ensemble.
The screenplay comes from Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith, whose credits include Isn’t It Romantic and Virgin River, alongside Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo. Matthews and Scharbo also produce the film through Little Engine Productions, the company behind Isn’t It Romantic, 13 Going on 30 and Reminders of Him.
Jared Padalecki and Genevieve Padalecki join the production team through Living in the Asterisk, while Robin Fisichella serves as executive producer. The project brings together performers and filmmakers with experience across romantic comedies, television dramas and family entertainment.
Padalecki, whose previous work includes Supernatural and Walker, has also expressed his enthusiasm for holiday films that audiences return to each year. The actor described Guarding Stars as a film he hopes viewers will revisit as part of their seasonal traditions.
Guarding Stars premieres globally on Netflix on November 18, 2026. The official trailer offers an early look at the developing romance between Hannah and Jack, introducing the Christmas setting ahead of the film’s November release.
