If you're a fan of Hallmark movies and podcasts, then you definitely need to check out Girls Gone Hallmark hosted by Megan and Wendy. This dynamic duo brings a fresh and fun perspective to the world of Hallmark movies with their witty banter and hilarious commentary. Today, they're reviewing "Friends & Family Christmas" - a Hallmark Channel first where the two romantic leads are women. It's refreshing to see Hallmark taking steps towards inclusivity and representation, and Megan and Wendy discuss the significance of this film.

Tell us what your favorite Countdown to Christmas movie from 2023! Email us at meganandwendy@gmail.com and be sure to check out the 2nd Annual Girls Gone Hallmark Best Christmas Movie bracket beginning on January 6, 2024 exclusively on our Instagram.

About "Friends and Family Christmas"

This movie was directed by Anne Wheeler. Anne has an impressive 71 directing credits and also directed the year’s Countdown to Christmas movie "Heaven Down Here." She has also directed a number of TV series as well, including "Firefly Lane" and "Anne with an E."

"Friends and Family Christmas" was written by Gary Goldstein and Tracy Andreen.

Gary Goldstein has 22 previous writing credits. Prior to this movie, Gary wrote last year's "Lights, Camera, Christmas!" and well as two novels, "The Last Birthday Party" and "The Mother I Never Had."

Tracey Andreen has 32 writing credits. One of her earlier works was "The Spirit of Christmas" - a review coming to Girls Gone Hallmark in July 2024. Tracy has also written two YA novels - "So This is Christmas" and "So This is Love".

Related Podcast Episode: Girls Gone Hallmark review of "Lights, Camera, Christmas!"

Humberly Gonzalez (Daniella) - This is Humberly’s second Hallmark movie as she had a supporting role in 2022’s "A Tail of Love." Most recently in her 45 acting credits, she played Sophie Sanchez on "Ginny & Georgia" and voiced a character in the "Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora" video game.

Ali Liebert (Amelia) - She directed this year’s "Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas" as well as "Christmas in Notting Hill." She’s also an accomplished actress is 98 acting credits including recently appearing in ten episodes of the Peacock series "One of Us is Lying" based on the popular book.

Gabriela Reynoso (Raquel McCallan) - although she has a handful of credits dating back thirty years, she started working  regularly just a few years ago. She has 23 acting credits and has previous appeared in Hallmark’s "Undercover Holiday" and "The Christmas House."

Christopher Shyer (Luke McCallan) - Christopher’s 93 acting credits take us back thirty years, and include an appearance in the thrilled "Along Came a Spider." Most recently he’s been on the series’ "Riverdale" and "Bookie."

Samantha Cole (Kylie Cooke) - with roles on both "The Bold Type" and "UnReal," Samantha’s resume is quickly growing. She has 36 acting credits including a role in an upcoming movie called "The Hunt for Love," which based on cast and crew alone hints at being a Hallmark project, but no official announcement has been made. 

Who Was In "Friends & Family Christmas?"

Barclay Hope (John Kasmerec)

Jeremy Hoffman (Tanner Amini)

Kyle Toy (Javier Bastano)

Belinda Metz (Liza Cole)

Sunita Prasad (Quinn)

Patti Allan (Mrs. Visser)

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