Finding Mr. Christmas: Release date, what to expect, and more explored

Finding Mr. Christmas will be Hallmark Media's first-ever reality competition series. The show, which premieres on Hallmark+ on October 31, 2024, follows ten budding actors as they engage in holiday-themed activities.

The tournament, hosted by Mean Girls actor Jonathan Bennett, promises a festive atmosphere as candidates compete for the title of "Mr. Christmas." The winner will play a starring role in the 2024 Hallmark Channel holiday film Happy Howlidays, making this series a unique addition to Hallmark's Christmas programming mix.

The show's format will put the participants through a series of exercises designed to assess their acting ability, Christmas charm, and compatibility with Hallmark's holiday movie formula.

Melissa Peterman will act as the Lead judge, with special guest judges appearing throughout the season. Fans can look forward to seeing the cast bring holiday cheer to the screen.

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Finding Mr. Christmas: Hallmark+ and beyond

Finding Mr. Christmas will kick off with two episodes on October 31, 2024, exclusively on Hallmark+ and new episodes will drop on Thursdays. Hallmark+ is set to combine ad-free viewing with retail benefits, offering subscribers access to exclusive series, films, and special offers.

The streaming platform will launch alongside the new reality competition, marking an important step in Hallmark’s continued expansion into digital streaming.

With Finding Mr. Christmas leading the charge, Hallmark is aiming to draw even more viewers into its popular holiday programming slate. The introduction of reality competition into the holiday-themed mix is a new and exciting venture for the network.

Fans of Hallmark’s beloved Countdown to Christmas movies may enjoy this unique behind-the-scenes look into how the network’s next holiday movie star is chosen.

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Meet the cast of Finding Mr. Christmas

Each competitor will go through trials to demonstrate their acting abilities and holiday spirit, with Peterman and guest judges evaluating their performances.

Here is a brief look at the contestants competing in Finding Mr. Christmas (via Entertainment Weekly):

• Blake Kelley, 36: Sales manager from Beaumont, Tex.
• David Habashy, 29: Aerospace engineer from Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Daxton Bloomquist, 36: Actor from Los Angeles, Calif.
• Elijah Malcomb, 31: Delivery driver/actor from Lodi, N.J.
• Ezra Moreland, 31: Model/former Navy rescue diver from San Diego, Calif.
• Gage Robinson, 29: Marketing consultant from Los Angeles, Calif.
• Hayden Maher, 30: Children’s entertainer from Los Angeles, Calif.
• Isaac Ramirez, 28: Firefighter from Santa Clarita, Calif.
• Jonathan Wells, 27: Entrepreneur from Chicago, Ill.
• Parker Gregory, 39: Model from League City, Tex.

The candidates come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including modeling, acting, and even firefighting, and each brings their personality and skills to the game.

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What to expect from Finding Mr. Christmas

Fans can expect a mix of holiday-themed challenges that will push the contestants to embody the ideal Hallmark leading man. Whether it’s their acting abilities, charm, or festive spirit, the men will need to impress the judges throughout the series.

Jonathan Bennett, known for his roles in Hallmark movies and his hosting duties, aims to guide the contestants through this journey. The competition is set to highlight heartwarming moments as well as the pressure of competing for a major role on Hallmark's iconic holiday slate.

In addition to the competition, Finding Mr. Christmas promises to celebrate diverse backgrounds and bring forward various personalities from different professions. The series will also feature LGBTQ+ representation, which Hallmark has emphasized in recent years.

This aligns with Bennett’s vision of creating an inclusive and heartwarming show that represents a broad range of holiday enthusiasts.

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Finding Mr. Christmas premieres on October 31, 2024, on Hallmark+.