(L-R): Haddish, Stoker and Priestley. | Photos courtesy of Lifetime

As we get closer and closer to the holiday season, Lifetime has given us a summer treat with a preview of their upcoming 2020 It’s A Wonderful Lifetime programming slate…and it’s going to be the networks biggest year for Christmas! With 30 new movies and over 1200 hours of programming on the agenda, Lifetime is planning to go full-festive 24/7 from mid-October through December.

There will be many network favorites returning as well as some fresh faces, and the network is committed to include ‘diverse storytelling with its storylines, talent and characters,’ including their first LGBTQ-led Christmas movie, “The Christmas Setup” and a film centered on a Chinese-American Family in “A Sugar & Spice Holiday”, directed by Jennifer Liao and written by Eirene Donohue. Both movies are currently casting and go into production this month.

“We are thrilled to continue our legacy of creating a holiday destination that is welcoming to all at Lifetime,” said Amy Winter, EVP and Head of Programming, Lifetime and LMN. “With more new movies than any one cable network for streamer, I couldn’t be prouder of the incredible talent joining us in front of, and behind the camera, on these new holiday movies.”

As previously reported: Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez are back for this year’s lineup; Hart will team up with Jason Priestley and Robin Givens for “Dear Christmas”, while Betty White will star in her own film, and Kelly Rowland will return for the sequel to the 2019 holiday hit “Merry Liddle Christmas”. Tiffany Haddish is set to executive produce “Christmas Unwrapped” led by Amber Stevens West, Marco Grazzini and Cheryl Ladd, and Tony® award winning actress Ali Stroker will lead her first Christmas movie in “Christmas Ever After”.

While a full programming report will be released in September, check out this sneak peek below!

Christmas Ever After
Stars: Ali Stroker and Daniel DiTomasso

Popular romance novelist Izzi Simmons (Stroker) spends every Christmas at her favorite snowy bed & breakfast, but this year, she’s faced with an impending deadline and a severe case of writer’s block. Luckily, inspiration strikes in the unlikely form of the B&B’s new owner Matt (Daniel DiTomasso), who bears an uncanny resemblance to the handsome hero from Izzi’s novels. As both partake in the lodge’s annual itinerary of Christmas activities, Izzi’s writer’s block is cured and the first pages of her and Matt’s own love story may just be beginning.

Produced by Neshama Entertainment in Association with Marvista Entertainment and executive produced by Arnie Zipursky, Suzanne Berger, Julianna Hays, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew. Pat Kiely directs from a script by Katrina Mathewson and Tanner Bean.

Christmas Unwrapped
Stars: Amber Stevens West, Marco Grazzini and Cheryl Ladd

From executive producer Tiffany Haddish, Christmas Unwrapped follows Charity (Amber Stevens West), an ambitious reporter, who learns the true meaning of Christmas when she investigates Erik Gallagher (Marco Grazzini), a beloved member of the town who insists all the gifts he provides are from none-other than Santa himself. Cheryl Ladd also stars.

Additional executive producers include Tracy “Twinkie” Bryd and Dominque Telson, Arnie Zipursky and Suzanne Berger for Neshama Entertainment and Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew for MarVista Entertainment. Bosede Williams directed from a script by Gary Hardwick.

Dear Christmas
Stars: Melissa Joan Hart, Jason Priestley, Robin Givens, Ed Begley Jr and Faith Prince

Natalie Morgan (Melissa Joan Hart) is an author and host of a popular podcast, Holiday Love, which shares true stories of holiday romance with its listeners. While to the outside world and her listeners everywhere see Natalie is an expert on romance, she’s never truly experienced a romance of her own. As Natalie prepares to embark on a promotional tour for her new book, she stops back home to spend Christmas with her family and to celebrate her parent’s 50th anniversary where she unexpectedly begins to experience her own holiday romance as sparks ignite with local firefighter, Jack (Jason Priestley). Robin Givens, Ed Begley Jr and Faith Prince also star.

Produced by Hartbreak Films, Paula Hart and Melissa Joan Hart. Emily Moss Wilson directs from a script by Juliet Giglio and Keith Giglio.

A Sugar & Spice Holiday
Stars: TBD

Suzie, a rising young architect, returns to her small hometown in Maine for Christmas where, her Chinese American family runs the local Lobster Bar. Following the loss of her beloved grandmother who was a legendary baker in their community, Suzie is guilted into following in her grandmother’s footsteps by entering the local gingerbread house competition. Teaming up with an old high school friend Billy, who grew up to be a catch, Suzie must find the right recipes and mix of sugar and spice to win the competition and perhaps find some love in the process.

Produced by Brightlight Pictures and executive produced by Nancy Bennett, Shawn Williamson and Jamie Goehring, directed by Jennifer Liao and written by Eirene Donohue.

The Christmas Set Up
Stars: TBD

Hugo, a New York corporate lawyer and his best friend Madelyn head to Milwaukee to spend the holidays with his mom Kate, who is also in charge of the local Christmas celebrations. Ever the matchmaker, Kate arranges for Hugo to run into Patrick, Hugo’s high school friend and secret crush, who has recently returned after a successful stint in Silicon Valley. As they enjoy the local holiday festivities together, Hugo and Patrick’s attraction to each other is undeniable and it looks as though Kate’s well-intentioned Santa-style matchmaking is a success. But as Hugo receives word of a big promotion requiring a move to London, he must decide what is most important to him.

Produced by Neshama Entertainment in association with MarVista Entertainment and executive produced by Danielle von Zerneck, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer, Fernando Szew, Suzanne Berger and Arnie Zipursky. Script is written by Michael J. Murray.

More Christmas cheer to come next month, so stay tuned and…

Stay merry!