Meet the Mystic Aquarium Seal Who’s A Hollywood Star

Cork had his Hollywood debut in “Mystic Christmas,” a new Hallmark movie filmed and set at Mystic Aquarium.

November 1, 2023

Lauren Clem,

Cork, an Atlantic harbor seal, delivers plenty of adorable animal moments in the new Hallmark movie, “Mystic Christmas.” (Photo courtesy of Mystic Aquarium)

This little Rhody neighbor has big plans — Cork, an Atlantic harbor seal at Mystic Aquarium, recently made his Hollywood debut in the Hallmark Christmas flick, Mystic Christmas. The movie is set and filmed at Mystic Aquarium and other locations in the Connecticut town.

Cork showed off his skills during the official movie premiere last Friday at Mystic Aquarium, where he and other stars had a chance to walk the red carpet. The event also featured interviews with Director Marlo Hunter and Producer Andrew Gernhard, as well as Mystic Aquarium animal rescue and training staff.

The film follows marine veterinarian Juniper, played by Jessy Schram (best known for her role in “Chicago Med”) as she returns to Mystic to work with an injured seal at a rehabilitation center. Juniper quickly rekindles a romance with the owner of the local pizza shop, played by Chandler Massey (best known for “Days of Our Lives”), and ends up staying longer than planned. Cork delivers quirky hijinks and adorable animal moments as Peppermint, the rescued seal.

Like his character, Cork is a ten-year-old Atlantic harbor seal who became part of the aquarium’s rescue program in 2013. He’s no stranger to the spotlight, and enjoys a bustling social media presence as one of the aquarium’s ambassador animals. His favorite food is herring, and he loves to perform tricks as part of his role.

Sometimes Cork, an Atlantic harbor seal can be a little shy. The best way to become his new best friend is to give him some of his favorite fish, herring!

Fun fact: Cork starred as “peppermint” in the recent Hallmark Christmas movie “Mystic Christmas”! pic.twitter.com/WYWEGstBsb

— Mystic Aquarium (@mysticaquarium) October 30, 2023

The movie features plenty of iconic Mystic sites, with scenes filmed at the Mystic Seaport, Olde Mystick Village and downtown shops. The film hearkens back to the classic romance flick, Mystic Pizza, in more ways than one. In addition to one of the leads owning a pizza shop, the cast includes William R. Moses, who starred as one of the romantic interests in the original 1988 movie.

Mystic Christmas is playing on the Hallmark channel on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 26, at noon; and Friday, Dec. 1, at 12 a.m.

Catch Cork in the trailer here: