Are Hallmark Holiday Films Revolutionizing Diversity?

Hallmark Christmas movies are now a Christmas tradition in modern culture. They usually start airing just before Halloween, there is often a premiere every night, and as December 25 approaches, movies arrive fast and curious. In some cases, they run all day on multiple channels.

At the same time, the leader of the network has often been criticized for his approach to true diversity in these genres. Where are the blacks? Where are the Asians? Where is the Latinx storyline? Where is the LBGTQ representation? And where are these people in terms of being the protagonist – the center – of the film instead of being the best friend or neighbor or colleague of the damsel in distress?

As the nation calculates in real time with true inclusion, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries have made great strides in this area, making 2020 their most varied year. This year marks a triumph for Holly Robinson Peete, who not only won a spot on the fifth season of ABC’s “American Housewife,” but is also starring in two Hallmark films this season. Those movies are from December Christmas In Evergreen (the fourth in the franchise) and in last weekend’s hit The Christmas Doctor. The latter is a project he launched, produced and starred in, ensuring that a more authentic depiction of black love would be on screen.

The list of 40 “Countdown to Christmas” films also includes the network’s first story centered on a gay couple trying to adopt a child in The Christmas house, what stars Bad Girls“Jonathan Bennett.

Peete says: “I’ve been asking them for Christmas movies for five years. I’ve been there, and other black actors too, but now they’ve really moved on with a new CEO. “

Peete refers to Wonya Lucas, who left TV One and arrived in Hallmark in July 2020. Lucas replaces Bill Abbott, who faced backlash last year after the network pulled a commercial with a same-sex couple. kissing. The network apologized and aired the ad last August, but Abbott was out. Lucas came on board when Hallmark announced 18 of his 40 films. Since then, according to sources, the training has adapted. He is responsible for the strategic direction and growth of the three networks, which are Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Drama. It also oversees digital growth.

Bennett, who stars in the film with the adoption in the Christmas corner, told USA Today he was stunned when he learned that her love interest would be a man. Shooting the film was thrilling on set, he added.

“All the crew members were crying,” he told the newspaper, “and there were some crew members who were gay who walked up and said, ‘Thank you for doing this. You have no idea what that means for us being part of the crew that is constantly working on Hallmark films, and that this happens, and being part of it, makes us feel so honored and special … “