Logline:
When Grace Ackerson discovers her partner Alex's infidelity, she retreats to her small-town Virginia roots to find solace with her deaf family. As she helps prepare for their Christmas party, Grace's path crosses with a charming town baker, reigniting a journey of self-discovery and holiday spirit.
Character CHART
CREATORS STATEMENT
Because I was raised the gay daughter of a Southern Baptist Minister, I thought it would be fun to imagine a holiday movie in which two women could exist together without questioning in a church environment. I also love Christmas, was born on Christmas Day (yes, to a minister, talk about pressure, oy!), and it’s a bucket list of mine to make a Christmas Film. Of course I’ve included Deaf characters who are funny, supportive and wonderful, to show living with a deaf family in a different light as well.
This story has been through two rounds of development at Marvista Entertainment. Once for Hallmark, once for Lifetime. When that development deal ended, I wrote back into the script somewhat of a Bridesmaids/Girls Trip tonality, no longer having to write squeaky clean material. I figured if Hulu can make a really sad Christmas movie called Happiest Season, another streamer could counter it with a feel-good one.
Additional things to know:
1. Marlee Matlin (CODA) has read the script and loves it. Strong potential to attach.
2. The casting I have in mind for the Dad was the deaf son in Mr. Holland’s Opus. I love that he’d be moving from the son in one Christmas film to the Dad in the other. I’d also love to see Samira Wiley in the lead as Jenna.
3. I wanted to avoid the hispanic maid trope by empowering the maid to be the character that the audience roots for most. You’ll see why. And I would love to see a Latina person cast as Alex to balance this choice as well.
3. Grace’s entire family is Deaf. But Grace herself is hearing. I indicate sign language in the script by using Italics.
4. There is a scene where Grace’s brother uses a sign language interpreter while using the telephone. If you can’t visualize it, don’t panic. It’s basically like FaceTime but with a third party on the screen voicing for the deaf person. Just know the funny part is that he’s making the sign language interpreter scream at his sister’s ex-partner (Alex). And that this is an authentic scene never told this way on TV before.
5. I wrote Christina’s part for Christina Anthony (Mixedish), FWIW.
7. I think that’s it! Happy reading!