There's a unique comfortability in Christmas-themed romantic comedy films that always keeps us coming back to them every single holiday season without fail, but after so many years of literally seeing only straight couples in the main, lead roles, Paramount Networks' latest offering — Dashing in December— is part of a new and long-awaited wave of queer-centered holidays flicks blessing the world in 2020, and we're totally here for it!
Like our wildest queer cowboy dreams come to life, the film follows jaded New York financial executive Wyatt (Peter Porte) on a journey back home to visit his mother Deb (Andie MacDowell) for the holiday season at their family ranch in Colorado. When he crosses paths with Deb's new assistant ranch hand Heath (Juan Pablo Di Pace), there's some friction (Wyatt's desire to sell the expensive, aging ranch to developers immediately clashes with Heath's romantic and nostalgic vision to try and save it), but as the two get to know each other, the two find the reason for the season and start to develop feelings for each other — feelings that would make even the Grinchiest Grinch's tiny heart swell up with the feels!
PRIDE got the chance to talk to the film's two leads, Peter Porte and Juan Pablo Di Pace, about getting the chance to bring queer representation to the holiday rom-com genre, working with Andie MacDowell, what straight audiences can take from the film, and so much more!
"It is awesome to be part of the gay wave because it's really exciting to be at the forefront of change," Juan Pablo told PRIDE about the amazing but recent influx of queer-centered films this year during the holiday season. "Even though it's a minor change, I feel like with the COVID year and with the election and with all the bad news that we had this year, it's kind of like the glimmer of hope of 2020. We are like the good news of the year so far!"
"This movie is not exclusively for queer audiences, it's for anyone," Peter said about Dashing in December's universality. "I think anyone can relate to returning home during the holidays. I think anyone can relate to losing a parent or a loved one. Having a loved one away for business. For military. I think that you can connect to so many different aspects of this movie on top of the fact that it's just so pretty to look at. I think they did such a good job of just filling it with as many Christmas activities as possible. It's just a really beautiful looking movie. And you have Andie MacDowell and who doesn't like Andie MacDowell??"
Dashing in December premieres this Sunday, December 13 at 7pm on the Paramount Network!
