The entire genre of true crime films and series has been built on “ripped from the headlines” stories and characters. It’s about time that holiday romances got on board with that, isn’t it? Enter Christmas in the Spotlight, a Hallmark film that dropped on Lifetime TV on November 23 and is now available to stream on MyLifetime.com. Starring Jessica Lord as pop star Bowyn and Laith Wallschleger as football hotshot Drew, this is a love story you’d have to be living under a rock not to recognize.
As described on the site, “Bowyn is a popular singer who develops an unexpected romance with Drew, a professional football player. As their feelings grow, they soon face mounting pressure from the press, the paparazzi, fans, and even their families.” It shouldn’t take a fortnight for you to fill that blank space, lover. Don’t blame me if you can’t shake it off; this happiness hits different. Okay, okay, I’ll stop now. (See what you made me do?)
Lifetime’s Christmas in the Spotlight
Inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s very high-profile relationship, Christmas in the Spotlight takes the classic holiday romance down a brightly lit and highly scrutinized path to happily ever after. There’s no small-town light display or cozy bookshop. Not even a Christmas tree farm, as apropos as that might be.
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Instead, we get a pair of leads pursued by paparazzi and hounded by the press. Bowyn is coming off a sensational breakup with Hollywood jerkface Hudson Peters (David Pinard) and is committed to spending the holidays as an empowered, happy singleton despite the comments from the media.
Drew is looking at his football contract renewal and feeling overshadowed by his legendary quarterback of a brother, Rob “Golden” Gonville (Dennis Andres). Escorting his adorably spunky niece Aileen (Madeleine Cox) to a Bowyn concert is a much-needed reprieve from adult concerns. And so it begins…
Throughout the movie, Drew and Bowyn are reactive to pressures from friends, family, and fans. Unlike everyday folks, even when making independent decisions, they have to consider optics and how the news cycle will portray it.
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But, like most people, they struggle to balance life and career obligations and make space for personal joy. Of course, it’s not typical bills and household repairs but rather social media and tabloid headlines standing in their way. Lord and Wallschleger are a sweet pairing that sparkles with heart-warming chemistry, but the ensemble supporting them really polishes the shine of the story.
How Did It End?
It’s a Hallmark production on Lifetime TV. At Christmas. Of course, we’re looking at a happy ending. But Christmas in the Spotlight truly delights with its sense of family and connection. When everyone can be honest with each other and themselves, things work out for the best. Its comedic moments feel natural and the romantic moments idyllic.
Yes, the twists are a bit predictable, and this isn’t the film to look to for diversity or hot takes. But as far as telling a story that many people think they know already in an innovative and entertaining way, it has a perfectly good heart.
Christmas in the Spotlight is now streaming on Lifetime.
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