Beginning this Thursday on Hallmark+, the two-episode premiere of Holidazed will bring you into the holiday celebrations of six families on a very special neighborhood block.
Holidazed weaves together the stories of these diverse families, utilizing their family history and future aspirations in a special one-of-a-kind series that has rarely been done on television.
We have some exclusive interviews for you below, but first, let’s discuss the groundbreaking new show.
The first thing you need to know is that the cast is incredible.
The sprawling ensemble reaches well beyond traditional Hallmark stars with a breadth of talent other shows can only dream about.
As the series kicks off, viewers will be introduced to a vibrant cast of characters:
Linda Johnson (Loretta Devine): Robert’s ex-wife, determined to embrace her independence and live her bestlife.
Robert Johnson (Dennis Haysbert): A retired attorney adjusting to life after divorce, slowly rediscovering the vibrant man he used to be.
Evan (Ser’Darius Blain): Handsome and fit, Linda’s boyfriend exudes the exuberance of youth and is eager to embrace new experiences.
Connie Manetti-Hanahan (Virginia Madsen): The glamorous matriarch of the Manetti-Hanahan family, fiercely devoted to her loved ones.
Chuck Manetti-Hanahan (John C. McGinley): Connie’s husband, a former marine with a tough exterior but a soft heart.
Katie Manetti-Hanahan (Holland Roden): The youngest daughter of Chuck and Connie, dating Gaby’s brother Kevin, has a complex past of bullying Gaby.
Grandma Lin (Lucille Soong): The traditional family matriarch who brings a strong sense of family values.
Ted Lin (Osric Chau): A focused and driven young man about to graduate with his MBA, navigating thepressures of family expectations.
Gaby Camarena (Gonzalez): A polished aspiring chef who confronts her past when she discovers herbrother is dating her high school nemesis.
Lucy Woods (Lindy Booth): A dedicated single mom who runs a health-focused bakery and seeks balance in her life.
Sylvie Woods (Rachelle Lefevre): Lucy’s adventurous sister who brings a vibrant energy and spontaneity to the family dynamic.
Josh Hill (Ian Harding): An accomplished architect re-evaluating what home means to him during theholiday season.
Nora Jacobs (Erin Cahill): The local sheriff and widow who juggles her responsibilities while seekingconnection and love.
In the premiere episode, “The Beginning,” as the holiday season begins, families around The Oaks cul-de-sac embark on their yearly traditions, hoping to create the perfect celebration filled with joy and connection.
However, as the families gather, unexpected confrontations and secrets arise, leading to a whirlwind of laughter, tears, and heartfelt moments.
Amid the chaos, each family must navigate their unique dynamics, discovering that while the holidays may not unfold as planned, the true spirit of the season lies in love, connection, and the joy of being together.
In Holidazed Season 1 Episode 2, “The Hill Family,” former high school lab partners Josh (Harding) and Nora (Cahill), both secretly pining for each other, reconnect under unexpected circumstances.
As Nora, the town’s sheriff and a recent widow raising her son Theo (Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez) alone, supervises Josh during community service, a bond begins to form between the three, reminiscent of a classic holiday movie.
With laughter and warmth, this episode beautifully captures how love can blossom in the most surprising ways, reminding us of the importance of family and connection during thefestive season.
In our exclusive interview with John C. Mcginley, Dennis Haysbert, and Ser’darius Blain, the trio spoke passionately about Holidazed’s inclusivity and what it means to be included in such a special project.
They talked about the challenges their characters face throughout the season, which include Dennis and Ser’darius playing generationally different men vying for the attention of the same woman.
Each of them shared what they believe Holidazed will mean to those who watch it and how it invites you to participate in a hug uniquely organic to the holidays.
They were truly appreciative of how Holidazed reminds us that no matter where we come from or what our backgrounds are, we, as Americans, are one people, sharing much more than divides us.
It’s a welcome message this fall, and you can hear more from John, Dennis, and Ser’darius by watching the full interview below.
Our second interview was with Lindy Booth, Osric Chau, and Rachelle Lefevre.
Lindy and Rachelle play sisters who couldn’t be more different. Rachelle talked about the ways in which her vivacious character, Sylvie, tries to give her sister, Lucy, the best holiday ever goes terribly awry.
Lindy explains how straight-edged Lucy learns to open up in the midst of such a whirlwind and talks about how Lucy represents single mothers everywhere who are trying to be all things at once and the challenges it brings.
Osric’s character misreads a situation during the holidays, which threatens not only his family’s enjoyment but also the very fabric of their relationship. He talks about Ted’s story, which reminds us that sometimes, you just have to trust that the people who love you accept you, no matter what.
And finally, we spoke with Holland Roden, Noemi Gonzalez, and Erin Cahill.
Holland and Neomi’s stories intersect in a most unusual way for holiday fare, but it brings to light the importance of forgiveness while remembering that people do not stand still, and their growth can bring forth the greatest changes in the human spirit.
They each spoke about the challenges their characters face in accepting each other and how the holiday setting invites people to put aside their mistakes and embrace a new future.
Erin discussed the interconnectedness of the Holidazed storylines and how the holiday season lends itself to this kind of production.
She spoke for everyone when she noted that expanding the traditional Hallmark holiday movie into eight episodes adds depth to characters and their arcs that we’ve never had the chance to see before.
If you haven’t signed up for Hallmark+ yet, Holidazed is an excellent reason to do so.
It embraces the exceptional warmth of the holiday spirit that has made Hallmark the go-to spot for Christmas cheer and adds breadth of storytelling for a truly unique experience.
The stellar cast enjoyed making it as much as you’ll enjoy watching it, and if programming like this is Hallmark’s future, it’s exactly where we want to be.
Holidazed premieres on Hallmark+ on Thursday, November 14, with two episodes.
