Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki find romance in Netflix’s ‘Guarding Stars’ trailer
The film is scheduled to premiere on November 18 as part of Netflix’s Christmas movie line-up
Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki are bringing holiday romance to Netflix with Guarding Stars, a festive romantic comedy based on Katherine Center’s bestselling novel The Bodyguard. PEOPLE has unveiled an exclusive first look at the upcoming film, which sees the pair caught between a professional assignment and unexpected romantic feelings.
Meester plays Hannah Brooks, a no-nonsense bodyguard tasked with protecting Jack Stapleton, a charming action star played by Padalecki, from a stalker during his holiday visit to his family in Montana. To keep the threat under wraps, Hannah poses as Jack’s girlfriend, setting the stage for a fake relationship that becomes increasingly complicated as the two grow closer.
The film combines romance and comedy with action, featuring horseback rides, explosive stunts and emotional family moments. The story also explores how the unexpected assignment challenges Hannah’s professional boundaries as she spends more time with the star she has been hired to protect.
The supporting cast includes Andie MacDowell, My Life with the Walter Boys actor Noah LaLonde, country singer Walker Hayes, Toby Sandeman, Rachael Ancheril, Shaun Johnston, Phil Brooks and pop singer Ava Max.
Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, Guarding Stars is adapted from Center’s 2022 novel. The screenplay is written by Erin Cardillo, Richard Keith, Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo.
The film is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on November 18, 2026, as part of the streaming platform’s upcoming Christmas movie line-up.
