Finding Mr. Christmas

Finding Mr. Christmas is a reality competition series that premiered on October 31, 2024, on Hallmark+. The show marked a significant milestone — it was Hallmark’s first-ever reality competition series. It was co-created by Jonathan Bennett and is produced by Hallmark Media. The series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 27, 2025, on the Hallmark Channel — expanding from streaming-only to linear television. 

The show offers a behind-the-scenes look at the casting process for holiday films. It features aspiring actors compete in various challenges for a chance to win a starring role in a Hallmark holiday movie. In each episode, contestants face two rounds of challenges. The first, called “Festive Face Off,” tests their holiday spirit. 

The winner earns an advantage heading into the second round, the “Star Quality” challenge, where contestants perform an acting scene from a Hallmark Christmas movie script. After deliberating, the judges eliminate the weakest performer. The competition continues through multiple rounds, with the winner receiving the title “Mr. Christmas” and landing a role in a Hallmark holiday film. 

Season 1 ran for eight episodes and featured ten men competing for the title. The season was won by Ezra Moreland, a 31-year-old model and former Navy rescue diver from San Diego. His prize was a leading role in the Hallmark Christmas movie Happy Howlidays. Season 2 followed the same format and concluded with Craig Geoghan as the winner and landing a supporting role in A Make or Break Holiday.

Jonathan Bennett serves as the host and a judge on Finding Mr. Christmas.  He is joined by Melissa Peterman, who serves as the lead judge, and various Hallmark stars appear as guest judges throughout each season. Bennett himself is a a veteran of over ten Hallmark Channel movies. He also has extensive experience as a reality competition host, including stints on Food Network.