Taking Home a Fake Boyfriend Makes for an Interesting Holiday Date in the New Hallmark Channel Movie

The new Countdown to Christmas movie Holiday Date debuts on the Hallmark Channel tonight, December 14.

When aspiring fashion designer Brooke (Brittany Bristow, who has appeared in the Hallmark Channel movies Love, Romance & Chocolate and Love on Safari) is dumped right before Christmas, she dreads going home both single and professionally down on her luck.

She enlists the help of actor Joel (Matt Cohen from Supernatural, General Hospital and South of Nowhere) to play the role of her boyfriend over the holidays, joining her to stay with her parents Donna (Teryl Rothery from Hallmark Channel’s Cedar Cove and Chesapeake Shores as well as from Stargate: SG-1 fame) and Walter (veteran actor Bruce Boxleitner from Scarecrow & Mrs. King and Hallmark Channel’s Wedding Bells).

Brooke, who had described her ex-boyfriend as “Mr. Christmas,” worries about keeping up the charade when she discovers Joel is Jewish. Fully committing to playing the part of Ethan, he enthusiastically participates in all the yuletide festivities.

When her family eventually finds out his background, they happily incorporate his Hanukkah traditions into their plans. Christmas and Hanukkah are celebrated side by side as they
all learn more about the other’s holiday.

When a rumor about the couple’s engagement brings her ex-boyfriend face-to-face with her fake boyfriend, Brooke’s family begins to wonder about the true nature of their relationship. Faced with the embarrassing prospect of revealing their lie to those around them, Brooke and Joel must decide whether to keep up the relationship charade or come clean about their lie as well as their true feelings.

The cast includes young actress Ava Grace Cooper (Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart), Anna Van Hooft (Hallmark Channel’s Cedar Cove and The Perfect Bride movie) and Peter Benson (Hallmark Channel’s Love and Sunshine).

Holiday Date debuts on the Hallmark Channel at 8/7c.

You can visit the Hallmark Channel to see a trailer for the movie.

[Photo Credit: Crown Media/Allister Foster]