General Hospital Star Jonathan Bennett Scores 3 Critics Choice Nominations

Jonathan Bennett is having quite a month, and honestly, soap fans can’t get enough. He’s gearing up for his much-hyped debut on General Hospital, but that’s not all—he’s also snagging some major attention in reality TV land.

Bennett’s Hallmark series Finding Mr. Christmas just landed a bunch of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations. That’s some serious company, and it’s proof his career resurgence isn’t just a fluke. From daytime drama to reality competition, Bennett’s on a roll right now.

Three Critics Choice Nominations — And Counting

There’s already a lot of buzz around Bennett’s arrival in Port Charles as Joe Fitzpatrick, who might just be a new love interest for Lucas Jones. But then, bigger news dropped—Finding Mr. Christmas picked up three nominations at the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

This isn’t one of those “everyone gets a trophy” deals. The Critics Choice Association only honors the best from broadcast, cable, and streaming, so Bennett and his crew are up against the biggest names in reality TV.

The Competition Is Fierce

Finding Mr. Christmas is squaring off with some heavy hitters, including:

• RuPaul’s Drag Race – MTV
• Squid Game: The Challenge – Netflix
• Survivor 50 – CBS
• Top Chef – Bravo
• The Traitors – Peacock

For a Hallmark show to be in that mix? That’s wild. The Traitors leads the pack with six nominations, and Dancing with the Stars isn’t far behind with four. Bennett’s holiday competition series is officially in the big leagues.

It’s not just the show getting love. Bennett himself is up for Best Show Host, and the cast scored a nod for Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.

From Mean Girls to Hallmark King

If you’ve followed Bennett’s career, it’s been quite the ride. He started out as JR Chandler on All My Children back in the day. Then there was Mean Girls—Aaron Samuels, the guy everyone remembers, right?

But he didn’t just coast on those early wins. Over the years, he’s become one of Hallmark’s go-to stars, mixing romance, holiday cheer, and LGBTQ+ stories in a way that feels fresh and needed.

What Makes Finding Mr. Christmas Special

The idea behind Finding Mr. Christmas is honestly pretty clever. Bennett hosts and co-created the show, where ten aspiring actors battle it out in themed acting challenges for eight weeks straight.

The winner? They get crowned as the next Hallmark star.

Contestants get mentored by industry pros, including some familiar soap faces like Hunter King and Alison Sweeney. What really sets the show apart, though, is how openly it features LGBTQ+ contestants. It’s a big step for Hallmark, and it fits with Bennett’s advocacy.

The show’s already racked up six Critics Choice nominations in just two years. Not bad for what Bennett once called a “little show on Hallmark Channel.”

Meanwhile in Port Charles…

While Bennett’s riding high on awards buzz, soap fans are eagerly awaiting his General Hospital debut. He’s set to play Joe Fitzpatrick, and rumor has it he’ll be a new romantic spark for Lucas Jones.

He’s joining at a pretty wild time for GH. The May 4 episode alone threw down with intense confrontations, betrayals, and a reveal that had everyone talking.

Carly, Valentin, and Brennan — The Showdown

One of the week’s biggest moments? Brennan facing off with Carly after learning she’d double-crossed him. It got tense fast—Carly told him to turn around, and suddenly there’s Valentin with a gun.

Things spiraled from there, with accusations flying and emotions running high, especially for Josslyn, who got pulled into the WSB against her will. Carly let loose, blaming Brennan for manipulating her grieving daughter into a world of espionage.

The drama was off the charts, and the actors were clearly loving the meaty material. This is the kind of soapy chaos that keeps GH at the top of its game.

Josslyn’s Dangerous Spiral

As if that showdown wasn’t enough, Josslyn ended up in real danger. She got into a brutal fight with Cassius, lost consciousness, and woke up somewhere that brought back some painful memories.

The fight scenes were gritty, hinting at even more fallout to come. With secrets piling up and alliances shifting, Port Charles feels ready to explode.

Bennett’s timing couldn’t be better. The show’s crying out for new faces, new stories, and a little shake-up.

A Career Full Circle

What makes this all so satisfying is how Bennett’s journey has come around. He started in soaps, made his mark in film, built a Hallmark holiday empire, and now he’s back in daytime with critics finally taking notice.

Not many actors can pull off success in both scripted drama and reality TV—and get awards buzz for both. Bennett’s nominations feel like real industry respect, not just fan hype.

Why This Matters

The Critics Choice Real TV Awards will announce winners on June 3, 2026. But honestly, win or lose, Bennett’s already notched a pretty big victory.

• He’s put Hallmark’s reality shows on the map.
• He’s pushed for more inclusive storytelling.
• He’s jumping back into daytime TV with some serious momentum.

Soap fans might be in for a wild new chapter on General Hospital. And if you’re into reality TV, Finding Mr. Christmas isn’t just forgettable holiday fluff—it’s got some staying power.

Bennett, meanwhile, is having a moment that feels like long-overdue recognition.

Port Charles is gearing up for romance, betrayal, maybe even a fresh love story. Jonathan Bennett’s right in the thick of it—balancing holiday charm and soapy drama, which honestly, not everyone could pull off. Trophy or not, 2026 just feels like his year.