Hallmark’s ‘Our Christmas Journey’: Autistic Man, Family Find Holiday Hope
Hallmark’s Miracles of Christmas new movie, Our Christmas Journey is the story about a young autistic man, and his family, as they help him begin to find independence outside of his family.
This Hallmark Movies & Mysteries holiday movie stars Holly Robinson Peete (American Housewife, Morning Show Murders), Lyriq Bent (An Ice Wine Christmas, Delilah), Nik Sanchez (The Rookie, Safe Space), Aloma Wright (Scrubs, Mr. Deeds), Caroline Cave (Van Helsing, Siren), Graham Verchere (The Good Doctor, Stargirl), and Hilda Martin in her first role.
What Is Hallmark’s Our Christmas Journey About?
According to the Hallmark press release, as Christmas draws near, single mother Lena (Peete) faces a challenging decision for her autistic, 18-year-old son, Marcus (Sanchez).
Lena’s ex-husband Rick (Bent) has secured an interview and trial weekend visit for a coveted slot at a program upstate. This is where people with cognitive challenges can flourish and gain some independence.
Lena wants the best for Marcus and is concerned about whether the program is the right fit. However, she reluctantly agrees to give it a chance.
Days before Christmas, she and Marcus make the trip. Her nurturing mother Robin (Wright) and sweet but often overlooked teenage daughter Maya (Martin) join them.
However, the trial requires Lena to separate from Marcus for the weekend. Moreover, she must learn to let go so he has the best chance of flourishing on his own.
Over the weekend, Lena finds herself spending more time with Rick and many of their old feelings resurface. Robin, meanwhile, gets to know Beth (Cave), who runs the guest house where they are staying and helps her to process a painful loss.
Maya, who loves her older brother dearly, yet quietly struggles with the fact that he commands the majority of her parents’ attention, befriends Beth’s son Henry (Verchere) whose sister is also in the program.
As the weekend comes to a close, Lena sees Marcus and the rest of the family blossoming in this special place. However, when old issues between Rick and her resurface, Lena must decide if she and the family will return to the way things were or take a chance on this new, more hopeful future together.
When Can You Watch Hallmark’s Our Christmas Journey?
Our Christmas Journey premieres on Saturday, December 4, at 10 p.m. Eastern, on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Encore showings include Sunday, December 5, at 6 p.m., Wednesday, December 8, at 8 p.m., Sunday, December 12, at 12:02 a.m., Saturday, December 25, at 12 p.m., Thursday, December 30, at 8 p.m., and Monday, January 3, at 4 a.m., all times Eastern.
On premiere night, jump on Twitter and live-tweet throughout the movie. This is a movie that will generate meaningful conversations.
Our Christmas Journey Near To Holly Robinson Peete’s Heart
Holly Robinson Peete fans may be aware that her oldest son, RJ, was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. The Hallmark star has been very open about her son’s journey.
Moreover, she has dedicated herself to philanthropic causes that help children and families who are impacted by autism.
According to Hallmark On Location, she has always wanted to do a movie exactly like this.
Just recently, Holly Robinson Peete went to Instagram to discuss her Hallmark Christmas movie. She wrote, “I can’t wait to watch #OurChristmasJourney with all of you! 🎄🚗❤️🎅🏾this movie is so near and dear to my heart! Premieres December 4 on @hallmarkmovie #miraclesofchristmas #autism #family #representationmatters #christmasmovie 📺 #Hollydays.”
Actor Nik Sanchez On The Spectrum, Shows Representation
Hallmark’s Our Christmas Journey star, Nik Sanchez, 17, is on the autism spectrum. According to Monsters & Critics, he started taking acting classes at the age of five. However, his ADHD was in “full force” at that age.
Moreover, he stuck with it, and now he has several credits to his name!
Holly Robinson Peete was thrilled to have him in the movie. “It was very important for us to find an actor with autism. The representation is so needed. When we found Nik, it was like jackpot.”
Our Christmas Journey premieres on Saturday, December 4, at 10 p.m. Eastern, on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
