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Jonathan Bennett is no stranger to the holiday film genre The Holiday Sitter will always stand out from the rest. That mean girls Alum stars in and is producing the new Hallmark film, which is making history as the network’s first LGBTQ-led vacation film. HollywoodLife spoke EXCLUSIVELY to Jonathan about this monumental moment for him, the network and queer representation in the vacation film genre.
“What a Christmas to be alive. I’m thrilled to be hosting the first LGBTQ+-led rom-com at Hallmark Channel The Holiday Sitter‘ says Jonathan HollywoodLife at That’s4Entertainment’s Christmas Con 2022 on December 10th. “But what’s even more exciting is the fact that this film isn’t just for queer audiences. This is for everyone, because Christmas is for everyone. Hallmark Channel is for everyone. The Holiday Sitter for everyone, and I know that so many people are going to see this film and feel so seen and feel like they have a seat at the Hallmark Christmas table.
As the film’s executive producer, Jonathan got to help “reinvent the story from the ground up.” He continued, “That’s why I love creating the character of Sam, which I got to play because I drew from personal experience. I think every time you take a personal story or truth and put it on screen, you find so much heart and humor that people can relate to.”
The film stars Jonathan as Sam, a workaholic bachelor who babysits his niece and nephew during the holidays. He ends up recruiting help from his handsome neighbor and sparks start to fly between them.
The actor would “absolutely love” to “continue the story of Sam and Jason [played by George Krissa] because the fans will fall in love with him. I think since this is the first time we’ve seen a queer meetup on the network, it’s important to follow the story and keep it going so you can see how the relationship is progressing.
Jonathan’s former mean girls co-star, Lindsay LohanShe has also entered the vacation film universe with her Netflix film In love with Christmas. Jonathan revealed if he and Lindsay have discussed teaming up in a holiday movie.
“I think we talked about it, but we didn’t really talk about it. However, she and I did talk about wanting to do something together,” he said HollywoodLife. “But when we do something together, especially a Christmas movie, I don’t think we want to play lovers because audiences have seen us before. So we would have to do something new, play like siblings or best friends. Something different, but I would definitely do a movie with Lindsay any day.”
As for a cameo in the coming mean girls musical film, Jonathan is totally down. “I will do anything mean girls Every day, every day, because I owe my whole life Tina Fey and Lorne Michaels. Every time they call, I pick up the phone,” the actor said. The Holiday Sitter Premieres December 11 at 8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel.
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