Calling Holiday Hunks! Hallmark’s ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’ Competition Show’s Host, Premiere Date, More

Holiday hunks wanted! Hallmark is looking for the next leading man for one of their Countdown to Christmas holiday films in the new competition series Finding Mr. Christmas. Fans want to know more about the host, cast and premiere date.

What Is ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’?

The eight-episode competition show will feature 10 potential leading men who are all seeking their big break in the 2024 Hallmark Channel holiday film Happy Howlidays. Contestants will need to show off their acting chops, as well as their holiday spirit, to prove they’ve got that certain something that will make them a hit with audiences and be crowned “Mr. Christmas.”

Who Is Hosting ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’?

Actor Jonathan Bennett — who got his big break playing Aaron in the iconic 2004 comedy Mean Girls — is not only hosting the show but helped cocreate it. Jonathan is a Hallmark holiday staple, having starred in 2023’s Christmas on Cherry Lane, 2020’s The Christmas House and it’s 2021 sequel and 2022’s The Holiday Sitter, so he knows what it takes to help find Mr. Christmas

Who Are the Judges on ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’?

Jonathan will be joined by former Reba star Melissa Peterman, who also starred in the Hallmark Channel’s 2022 holiday film Haul Out the Holiday, along with a rotating roster of Hallmark Channel holiday movie stars who will appear as guest judges.

Stars from the network’s holiday films who will help crown Mr. Christmas include B.J. Britt, Rachel Boston, Brooke D’Orsay, Nikki DeLoach, Erin Cahill, Tyler Hynes and Ali Liebert. Dancing With The Stars pro dancer Witney Carson will also serve as a guest judge, along with E! News anchor Keltie Knight.

Who Are the Contestants on ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’?

The 10 holiday movie hopefuls include Blake Kelley, a sales manager from Beaumont, Texas; Daxon Bloomquist, an actor from Los Angeles; Ezra Moreland, a model and former Navy rescue diver from San Diego, California; Elijah Malcomb, a delivery driver and actor from Lodi, New Jersey; David Habashy, an aerospace engineer from Vancouver, Canada; Gage Robinson, a marketing consultant from L.A.; Isaac Ramirez, a firefighter from Santa Clarita, California; Hayden Maher, a children’s entertainer from L.A.; Parker Gregory, a model from League City, Texas, and Jonathan Wells, an entrepreneur from Chicago, Illinois.

When Does ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’ Premiere?

In a fitting holiday twist, the series premieres on Halloween — October 31, 2024 — on Hallmark+, the Hallmark Channel’s revamped streaming platform.

Where Was ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’ Filmed?

The competition was filmed on a ranch in Utah that was dressed up with plenty of Christmas spirit. The show was completed and the winner’s name has been kept a tight secret, but the lucky guy has already filmed Happy Howlidays opposite costar Jessica Lowndes. The movie will premiere on December 21, 2024.

What Is ‘Happy Howlidays’ About?

The film’s plot is described as “Mia, a meticulous webpage editor, teams up with Max, a dog shelter owner, to explore Seattle’s hidden gems while caring for a stray dog, leading them both to step out of their comfort zones and form a meaningful connection.”