Jonathan Bennett Discusses Hallmark’s ‘The Christmas House,’ LGBTQ Representation

Who are the two sons? Actor Mike Mitchell (Buckley) is a tv star, ready for a break. While home, he reconnects with his high school sweetheart, Andi (Ayora). Brandon Mitchell (Bennett), and his husband Jake (Harder) also heed the call home. But, they are anxiously awaiting some big news. They plan to adopt their first child.

Jonathan Bennett Shares Special Moment In Hallmark’s The Christmas House

There has been a lot of talk about The Christmas House. One of the biggest concerns and criticisms of Hallmark’s The Christmas House is that that the same-sex couple is not the lead story. What Jonathan Bennett says should remove those concerns.

Speaking to ET Canada, Jonathan Bennett shared that “I’m concerned about making sure the people who do watch this see a story of what it means to be a family and have unconditional love for each other in 2020.”

The 39-year-old star further explained, “Representation is important. To me, it’s not a movie about a straight couple or a gay couple. It’s just a story about family and Christmas.”

There is one scene that meant the most to the entire cast and crew. Bennett shares that when they filmed one scene in particular, there was a lot of emotion. The lead up is the emotional adoption storyline. Jake and Brandon are going through an emotional moment. A very couple’s moment. But Jonathan Bennett shared that this tender moment was very meaningful to everyone on set. It was groundbreaking.

“Then we kiss. When the director yelled cut, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. So many crew members came up to me and said, ‘Thank you so much for doing this and being a representation of what love is our community.’ I just felt so proud to be an actor in that moment.”

Ho! Ho! Holiday Viewing! posted on Twitter, reminding us that less than a year ago, Hallmark pulled ads featuring a same sex couple kissing. Hallmark has certainly come a long way in such a short period of time.

Jonathan Bennett Believes He Is ‘Part Of The Progress’

Over the years, Jonathan Bennett has played straight lead characters. When he was asked to do The Christmas House, he had asked who his leading lady was. When he found out that he would be in a same gender relationship, this was a huge deal.

“I wish I had a movie like this to watch when I was younger. I’m hoping all the young Jonathans, sitting there watching this with their family and parents, they might feel a little more seen and they are going to feel a little less scared this Christmas.”

Although Jonathan has mainly played straight roles, he is openly gay. Therefore, starring in this landmark Hallmark movie makes him “feel like I am part of the progress.”

https://twitter.com/JonathanBennett/status/1326318207049756672

Real Life And Art Merge In Hallmark Movie

One of the main storylines in this breakthrough Hallmark Christmas movie is Brandon and Jake’s adoption. Coincidentally, Bennett’s husband in the movie had his own happy news to share during the filming. It was a bit like life imitating art.

Bennett explained that Brad Harder and his husband already have one child, “in real life.” But  before filming commenced, Harder and his husband found out that they were expecting a second child. Their surrogate was pregnant!

Bennett shared, “Watching the joy on his face, when he would call his husband and talk about their family and the new baby, I really saw firsthand what it was like for someone going through this process, even though it’s different because it’s a surrogate versus adoption. It’s all the same thing. They are building their own family.”

Although Bennett and his partner Jaymes Vaughan have a dog, this role did make him think about a family. Maybe family will be in the future. Right now, the pair just bought their first house together.

Will they go out and turn this house into a winter wonderland? We will have to find out.

The Christmas House airs on The Hallmark Channel on Sunday, November 22, at 8 p.m. Eastern.