L-R: Drew and Bruening (Photos: Courtesy)

Christmas in July just ended, but the holiday season pregaming continues with the official detailed announcement of two more movies that are coming to Lifetime‘s beloved It’s A Wonderful Lifetime programming event, which is set to return in October.

For Sarah Drew‘s (Amber Brown) previously announced “Reindeer Games Homecoming”, Lifetime has revealed that the actress will reunite with her former “Grey’s Anatomy” co-star, Justin Bruening (Sweet Magnolias). Drew penned the script for this film, and will also serve as executive producer!

Lifetime’s own ‘Queen of Christmas’, Melissa Joan Hart, will direct “Santa Bootcamp”, her fourth directed picture for the network, which will reunite her with Tony® award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (Hairspray); the two co-starred in 2018’s “A Very Nutty Christmas”.  The movie will also star Emily Kinney (The Walking Dead), Justin Gaston (Nashville), Patrick Cassidy (Castle) and EGOT award winner Rita Moreno (West Side Story).

“I have always been a holiday person… particularly Christmas. The idea that I’m actually going to participate in this wonderful Lifetime Christmas movie, Santa Bootcamp, just tickles me to no end,” said Moreno. “I have been known, at Christmas time, to decorate anyone in my house who happens to stand still for more than a minute. I will decorate anyone and anything because I turn into a child. Therefore, what a treat for me! Thank you Lifetime. My grandchildren are already celebrating!”

According to a press release from Lifetime, ‘Santa Bootcamp will also showcase the network’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, as deaf actors Deanne Bray and Zyra Singleton will be joining the cast.’  Read more about the movies below!

Reindeer Games Homecoming
Stars: Sarah Drew, Justin Bruening & Brian Sills
From Executive Producer and Writer Sarah Drew

MacKenzie Graves (Drew) is a brilliant, competitive, crossword puzzle loving Biology teacher in Vermont who recently lost her father, beloved fire chief and the heart of the town’s holiday fundraising tradition “The Reindeer Games.” Every year since his death, she competes with her dad’s former team, a group of colorful retired firefighters, to win the Games and keep his tradition alive. The holiday however, her world is rocked when fading Hollywood star, and Mac’s high school crush, Chase Weston (Bruening), comes home for Christmas to visit his pregnant sister and nephew and is begrudgingly roped into participating in the Games. When the opportunity to compete against her former mega crush arises, Mac is determined to show him up and win the Kris Kringle Cup at all costs. As the competition heats up, so does the spark between Mac and Chase, and Chase soon finds himself eager to not only win the games, but also win her heart as well.

L-R: Hart, Moreno, Gaston, Winkour and Kinney (Photos: Courtesy)

Santa Bootcamp
Starring Emily Kinney, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Justin Gaston, Rita Moreno, Patrick Cassidy, John Schuck, Deanne Bray & Zyra Singleton
Directed by Melissa Joan Hart

When event planner, Emily Strauss (Emily Kinney), is hired by mall magnate, Ed Mancini (Cassidy) to stage the ultimate Christmas Gala for his most important investors, Emily finds herself being sent to bootcamp – Santa Bootcamp – to find the perfect Santa and inspiration she will need to make the evening a success. While there, Emily meets Belle (Moreno), the bootcamp’s drill sergeant with a heart of gold, who helps Emily rediscover the magic of Christmas and find romance along the way.

These two titles join three previously announced films, but the full It’s A Wonderful Lifetime slate and airdates will be revealed early this fall.

Stay Merry,