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Lifetime will be diversifying its Christmas specials
As diversity on the small screen becomes more prevalent, Lifetime announced that it will be releasing its very first-holiday movie that centers around a Chinese-American family. “A Sugar & Spice Holiday” focuses on an up and coming architect named Suzie who returns to her hometown in Maine after her grandmother passes away.
Upon her return, she is pushed into entering a local gingerbread house competition with an old high school friend named Billy. While searching for the perfect recipe to win the competition, unexpected holiday cheer and romance is found along the way.
The script for the upcoming film will be written by Vietnamese-American Eirene Donohue and directed by Jennifer Liao. It was Donohue who first pitched the idea for the story of an Asian American family. Kristine Tiongco, a representative for A&E Networks, said, “This is the first time we will see the lead character in an environment that leans into her family and customs and traditions as they are adapted into the holidays.”
Production is already underway and the casting process is nearly complete. Lifetime announced that it is set to begin production this month.
In addition to the Asian American holiday flick, Lifetime will be releasing “The Christmas Set Up,” the network’s first feature-length film that centers on an LGBTQ love story between characters Hugo and Patrick, both of whom are on a trip home for the holidays. In a press release, Lifetime said that the holidays are for “everyone,” therefore this year, the network will emphasize diverse stories during its 2020 “It’s A Wonderful Lifetime” holiday programming.
This year, the network will feature 30 new movies serving diverse narratives, talent, and characters and will run from mid-October through December. With over 1,200 hours of programming, viewers are sure to get their fill of holiday cheer!
By: Maytinee Kramer
