How grool! Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett will star in Hallmark's first holiday film centering an LGBTQ+ storyline, The Christmas House.
After releasing their initial slate of Holiday movies earlier this year, the Hallmark Channel was criticized for their lack of LGBTQ+ storylines. They then issued a statement promising that "diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us and we look forward to making more programming announcements in the coming months, with projects featuring LGBTQ+ storylines, characters, and actors."
With The Christmas House, it seems the network is following through with that promise. The story follows a gay couple looking to adopt their first child. Robert Buckley, Ana Ayora, Treat Williams, Sharon Lawrence, and Brad Harder will also star in the film, Good Morning America reports.
The official description reads:
"Working through some difficult decisions, Mitchell family matriarch Phylis (Lawrence) and patriarch Bill (Williams), have summoned their two grown sons -- Mike (Buckley) and Brandon (Bennett) -- home for the holidays. It is their hope that bringing the family together to recreate the Christmas house will help them find resolution and make a memorable holiday for the entire family and community. As Brandon and his husband, Jake (Harder), make the trip home, they are anxiously awaiting a call about the adoption of their first child. Meanwhile, Mike reconnects with Andi (Ayora), his high school sweetheart."
"Our holiday table is bigger and more welcoming than ever. This year's movies reflect our most diverse representation of talent, narratives and families," said Michelle Vicary, executive vice president of programming for the Crown Media Family Network, in a statement. "Our movies are rooted in warmth and positivity, meaningful connections, family gatherings and seasonal traditions — a winning formula we hope will bring our millions of viewers much-needed levity and holiday cheer at the end of a tough year."
The Christmas House premieres Sunday, Nov. 22 at 8 pm ET/PT on the Hallmark Channel.
