Real-life couple Ben Lewis (“Arrow”) and Blake Lee (“Fam”) have been solid in “The Christmas Setup,” Lifetime’s first-ever LGBTQ-lead unique vacation film, whereas Jacky Lai (“V-Wars”), Tony Giroux (“Motherland: Fort Salem”) and Tzi Ma (“Mulan”) will star in “A Sugar & Spice Holiday,” centered on an Asian American Family, the community introduced Monday.
Lifetime additionally stated it’s working with GLAAD and CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment), on the respective motion pictures, to make sure they symbolize the communities depicted precisely.
“The world we create on digital camera ought to replicate the world we stay in. ‘The Christmas Setup’ and ‘A Sugar & Spice Holiday’ are essential additions to the It’s a Wonderful Lifetime slate as a result of they proceed our effort to inform the tales of the varied communities represented by our viewers,” stated Amy Winter, government vp and head of programming, Lifetime and LMN. “Our hope with these inclusive movies and others is that folks will see themselves whereas having fun with universally relatable vacation romances.”
“The Christmas Setup” follows a New York lawyer named Hugo (performed by Lewis), who brings his finest good friend Madelyn (Ellen Wong) dwelling to Milwaukee, Wis. for the vacations. There, his mom Kate (Fran Drescher) is in command of the native Christmas celebrations, however she isn’t too busy to play matchmaker for her son, arranging it so Hugo bumps into Patrick (Lee), his highschool good friend and secret crush, who not too long ago returned to their shared hometown after profitable stint in Silicon Valley. Hugo and Patrick spend time collectively throughout the vacation occasions and their attraction is “plain,” however Hugo receives a promotion that requires a transfer to London, which makes him should resolve what’s most essential to him.
“The Christmas Setup” was written by Michael J. Murray and directed by Pat Mills. It is government produced by Danielle von Zerneck, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer, Fernando Szew, Suzanne Berger, Arnie Zipursky and directed by Pat Mills, produced by Neshama Entertainment in affiliation with MarVista Entertainment and Wishing Floor Films.
“A Sugar & Space Holiday,” which can premiere in December, tells the story of Suzie (Lai), a Chinese American lady who attracts on her household’s cultural traditions to “boost” an old style Christmas baking competitors, the community explains. Suzie is an up-and-coming architect who returns to her hometown in Maine, the place her household runs the native Lobster Bar, for Christmas. Her grandmother was a legendary baker of their group however not too long ago handed away, so Suzie is guilted into following in her grandmother’s footsteps by coming into the native gingerbread home competitors. She groups up with an previous highschool good friend (Giroux) to take action, and whereas she works to win the competitors, she may discover love within the course of.
“A Sugar & Spice Holiday” comes from a trio of Asian girls behind the scenes: author Eirene Donohue, director Jennifer Liao and casting director Judy Lee. It is government produced by Nancy Bennett, Shawn Williamson and Jamie Goehring, and produced by Lighthouse Pictures.
Both motion pictures are a part of Lifetime’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” vacation film slate, which can characteristic 30 new motion pictures this 12 months, starting on October 23 and persevering with by means of Christmas. Some of the opposite, beforehand introduced, motion pictures are “Christmas Ever After” starring Ali Stroker and Daniel DiTomasso; “Christmas Unwrapped” starring Amber Stevens West, Marco Grazzini and Cheryl Ladd, and “Dear Christmas” starring Melissa Joan Hart and Jason Priestley.
Source: variety.com
