In the new Hallmark+ reality competition Finding Mr. Christmas, host and co-creator Jonathan Bennett leads the charge to find Hallmark’s next leading man and be crowned “Mr. Christmas.”
The series debuted on October 31st where we were introduced to the 10 aspiring actors who compete in a variety of entertaining challenges. Bennett, alongside lead judge Melissa Peterman (of Reba fame) and a list of special guest judges help choose the one with the most talent, heart, authenticity, and charisma to be the next Hallmark superstar. At the finale, the lucky actor will receive a special leading role in one of this year’s Countdown to Christmas movies on Hallmark Channel.
As the “King of Christmas” and a Hallmark movie trailblazer, Bennett is more than excited about Finding Mr. Christmas. “It’s it’s an embarrassment of riches, really,” Bennett told GLAAD’s Anthony Allen Ramos in a recent interview. “It’s like all the things we love in life, right? We love hunks in a Christmas sweater; we love Christmas; we love competition shows; we love Christmas movies — so why not put it all together in one show and have 10 handsome guys who are charming and talented and funny compete to be the best… and then we take that winner and we put him as the lead of a Hallmark Christmas movie.”
Of the “hunks” competing are Daxton Bloomquist and Jonathan Wells, who joined Bennett in the interview. Bloomquist is an actor who wants to take his career to the next level while also representing the LGBTQ community. He said that the show gave him a safe space to do exactly that.
“I came into the show wanting to be very vulnerable with my sexuality, and I never had the opportunity to do that, and I want to be the next voice for the younger generation,” said Bloomquist, adding that Bennett has been a touchstone for him and he hopes to continue that for others. “I’m very grateful for that experience.”
Bloomquist enjoyed how Finding Mr. Christmas and Hallmark bolster LGBTQ stories and how they make them “part of life” and he wants to be on that forefront. “I just hope and fingers crossed, that I can continue to pave that way — especially with Hallmark and whatever else the world has to offer me.”
Wells, on the other hand, is looking to shift his focus to acting. He joined the reality competition as a former USA track and field star and entrepreneur. “I’ve been a full-time caregiver when my dad got diagnosed with cancer,” Wells told Ramos. “I’ve been on the highest stages on Team USA. I’ve been in the highest roles in corporate America… and I think transitioning through all of it and being on this show… it’s so different. But the elements to show up mentally and to not give up and to get comfortable and uncomfortable is all that you need to go into this competition and succeed.”
Even though Finding Mr. Christmas is a competition, Bennett was excited that it was still an environment that lived by the motto: “I don’t shine if you don’t shine”. He added, “I think they did a beautiful job of that in the competition.”
Finding Mr. Christmas is available to watch on Hallmark+.
