Tyler Hynes attends Christmas Con New Jersey 2022 at Expo Center on December 10, 2022
Emily Assiran/Getty Images for That’s 4 Entertainment

Who Is Tyler Hynes? Inside the Hallmark Star's Secret Love Life and Bromance with Andrew Walker

Hynes' family connection to his co-star Andrew Walker, explained.

If there's one thing we're passionate about year-round, it's the Hallmark Channel's irresistible cavalcade of perfectly-groomed, endlessly charming hunks. And one of the network's most beloved leading men is Tyler Hynes, the bearded Mr. Right who's amassed such a following since his 2018 Hallmark debut, his fans call themselves "Hynies."

Far from shunning the attention, Tyler Hynes is the first to thank his devotees — even re-sharing some of their more extreme acts of devotion (there have been a few tattoos over the years) on his social media accounts. His willingness to play ball—he's an unabashed rom-com lover, he praises Hallmark's role in generating interest in the genre and, crucially, he shows up to fan conventions like the annual Christmas Con—is perhaps what makes him the perfect good-guy envoy for all of the Hallmark Channel's charms.

This year's "Never Been Chris'd," premiering Saturday, Nov. 4 at 8/7c, marks Tyler Hynes' 16th film overall at the network — and the latest in his long line of delectable Christmas romance flicks. In fact, the 37-year-old actor has been in some of Hallmark's greatest hits, including 2022's "Three Wise Men and a Baby," the year's most-watched cable TV movie that kicked off a phenomenon.

What does Tyler Hynes think of his central position in Romanceland? What's the truth behind all that girlfriend speculation? And how is Hynes related to his Hallmark co-star Andrew Walker? Read on for a bite-sized bio of one of the greatest swoon-masters to ever do it.

Tyler Hynes Was Born in Canada

Tyler Hynes

(Joshua Shultz)

Tyler Hynes grew up in Ontario, Canada and began acting professionally at just eight years old. What started with a role in a production of "A Christmas Carol" led to appearances in feature films and TV shows like "Lassie," "Little Men," "Home Team," Disney's "The Other Me," "Terrorised by Teens: The Jonathan Wamback Story" and "Tales From the Neverending Story: The Beginning."

Hynes has had guest and recurring roles in titles like "Letterkenny," "The Girlfriend Experience," "Star Trek: Discovery," "The Firm," "Rookie Blue," "UnReal," "The Last Sign," "Flashpoint," "Valemont," "Saving Hope" and "Heartland."

What Hallmark Movies Has Tyler Hynes Been In?

Tyler Hynes and Paul Campbell in "Three Wise Men and a Baby."

Tyler Hynes and Paul Campbell in "Three Wise Men and a Baby." (Bettina Strauss/Hallmark)

These days, the Canadian actor has gained quite the following as one of the fresh-faced leading men to grace the Hallmark Channel. This 2023 Countdown to Christmas, he stars in the holiday romance "Never Been Chris'd." The love triangle drama marks his 16th Hallmark movie since joining the network in 2018.

Some of Hynes' biggest Hallmark hits include "It's Christmas Eve" with LeAnn Rimes, "Flip That Romance," "The Mistletoe Secret" with Kellie Pickler, "Winter in Vail" and "Sweet Carolina" with Lacey Chabert, "On the 12th Date of Christmas," "My Boyfriend's Back: Wedding March 5," "Falling For You" with Taylor Cole and "Roadhouse Romance" with Lauren Alaina.

As for his favorite Hallmark movies from his filmography, Hynes has cited "It Was Always You" with Erin Krakow, "An Unexpected Christmas" and "A Picture of Her" as some of his best romance fare. But 2022's record-breaking "Three Wise Men and a Baby," which co-starred Paul Campbell and Andrew Walker, is "up there," Hynes told US Weekly, "if not the top."

Tyler Hynes and Andrew Walker's Friendship

Andrew Walker and Tyler Hynes

(Emily Assiran/Getty Images for That's 4 Entertainment)

Tyler Hynes and his "Three Wise Men and a Baby" co-star Andrew Walker form a bromance for the ages. Walker's wife Cassandra Troy is Hynes' cousin, so the pair have known each other for nearly 20 years.

The duo occasionally post playful snaps of their hangouts behind-the-scenes and at home, like that time they held hands at a California theme park.

Does Tyler Hynes Have a Girlfriend?

(Racquel Natasha via Instagram)

(Racquel Natasha via Instagram)

Hynes keeps his love life on the down low, but the star has referred to his "girlfriend" a few times over the years. He reportedly began dating Racquel Natasha (pictured above), a Miami-based model and swimwear brand owner, in 2017. The pair have never confirmed their relationship, nor posted photos of each other on their respective social media profiles.

He's a Huge Fan of Rom-Coms (and Hugh Grant)

Tyler Hynes

(Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images)

Like so many of us, Hynes turned to movies during the 2020 COVID lockdowns — and romance movies, in particular. In 2021, the actor explained to Southern Living that he was excited to be part of the Hallmark family because of how the network has revived interest in rom-coms:

"Over the holidays somebody had told me to turn on some Hallmark movies and so I did and then it kinda kickstarted this romantic comedy kick. I realized I've watched a few now, just on my own... 'Meet Joe Black,' 'Love Actually,' 'Notting Hill.' 'Notting Hill' is up there for me. '50 First Dates.' I even went back to 'She's All That.'"

Hynes has particular affection for Hugh Grant's '90s hits, noting that he didn't understand why Grant was given grief for doing so many romantic flicks back-to-back.

"I mean, that's essentially what we're doing at Hallmark. We're doing these movies back-to-back. But I think they did an incredible job back then. There are so many great romantic movies out there that I feel like I'm really happy that Hallmark has carved out this niche and kind of revitalized this genre. And I think, as it starts to grow and evolve, we can get closer and closer to those kinds of movies with the movies that we make, I hope."

READ MORE: Who Is Hunter King? The Rising Hallmark Star Has a Famous Sister

Editors Note: This article was originally published on November 25, 2021.