Hallmark is releasing its first Christmas movie with a gay leading couple

Hallmark is releasing its first Christmas movie starring a gay couple, marking a huge step forward for increased LGBTQ+ representation this holiday season.

The Christmas House stars a married gay couple and its release comes a year after the channel vowed to increase diversity on its platform, as per HelloGiggles.

The channel vowed to change after The Wrap reported in 2019 that of its 40 new holiday movies, none of them featured a same-sex couple.

Watch the preview for The Christmas House below: 

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The movie follows Brandon Mitchell (played by Mean Girls' Jonathan Bennett) and his husband Jake (Brad Harder) as they head home for the holidays, all while waiting on a phone call confirming the successful adoption of their first child.

The Christmas House's description on the Hallmark Channel website reads:

"Working through some difficult decisions, Mitchell family matriarch Phylis (Sharon Lawrence) and patriarch Bill (Treat Williams), have summoned their two grown sons - Mike (Robert Buckley) and Brandon - home for the holidays.

"It is their hope that bringing the family together to recreate the Christmas house will help them find resolution and make a memorable holiday for the entire family and community."

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Bennett said that he was so excited to be "part of the progress."

"This movie is so important because I'm part of the progress, and it feels good," he said. "I can only imagine what younger me would have thought seeing a Christmas movie with a storyline like this; two men in love, having a baby together. I think I would have been so excited, and I know I'm excited."

He added: "Representation is so important, and to represent this storyline on Hallmark Channel, it's an honor to make a little history."

In the video below, Bennett opens up further about The Christmas House:

[[youtubewidget||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6hBj7IGnkY]]

"I am so proud of Hallmark Channel and everyone there for doing what they did this year, which was taking the holiday table and making it bigger and more welcoming than ever," Bennett continued.

"I think so many people are gonna feel seen and so many people are gonna feel like they belong in the Hallmark family - and they do. It's gonna be a really special year for so many people."

The Christmas House premieres Sunday, November 22 at 8 pm ET on Hallmark Channel.