CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) — Hallmark has released its first Christmas movie with an LGBTQ storyline along with 40 new films this holiday season.
“Mean Girls” actor Jonathan Bennett and Robert Buckley star in “The Christmas House,” which is Hallmark’s first-holiday film centered around a gay couple. The movie aired on Nov. 22.
The film tells the story of parents working through some difficult decisions who summon their two grown sons, TV star, Mike Mitchell (Buckley) and Brandon Mitchell (Bennett), home for the holidays in hopes of recreating a family tradition.
The movie also features notable actors from popular television shows such as Robert Buckley (“One Tree Hill”), Ana Ayora (“In the Dark”) and Sharon Lawrence (“NYPD Blue”).
This fall, Hallmark announced their extensive lineup of 40 new films.
The line up includes 23 holiday-inspired movies and 17 from Hallmark’s mysteries line. The new lineup is a part of Hallmark’s “Countdown to Christmas” program.
Many fans have been looking forward to LGBT+ characters for years in Hallmark movies for years.
“Our holiday table is bigger and more welcoming than ever,” Michelle Vicary, Hallmark Channel’s executive vice president of programming, said in a statement. “This year’s movies reflect our most diverse representation of talent, narratives, and families.”
