Luke Macfarlane’s Groundbreaking LGBTQ Christmas Movie for Hallmark Will Leave You Speechless

Luke Macfarlane, a versatile actor known for his wide range of roles, is making waves again with his latest project for the Hallmark Channel. In an exclusive interview with Variety on August 17, 2025, Macfarlane shared his excitement about developing an LGBTQ Christmas movie for Hallmark.

This year’s been a whirlwind for Macfarlane. He’s jumped from filming a young adult horror flick to starring in a reality show about his woodworking skills, and even reprised a role on Apple+’s Platonic.

His career just keeps evolving. Now, he’s set to break new ground by bringing a queer Christmas story to Hallmark’s audience.

Luke Macfarlane: A Versatile Talent

Macfarlane’s built a reputation for tackling a variety of roles. From horror to reality TV, and from straight to gay characters, he seems to embrace every opportunity with real enthusiasm.

This year alone, he has:

• Starred in the young adult horror film This Is Not a Test alongside Olivia Holt, slated for release in 2026
• Showcased his woodworking skills as the star of Hallmark’s reality show Home Is Where the Heart Is
• Reprised his role as Charlie in the second season of Apple+’s Platonic

His ability to switch between genres and character types has made him a beloved figure in the industry. This new venture into LGBTQ storytelling feels like a natural next step for someone so committed to representation and diversity.

Breaking New Ground: An LGBTQ Christmas Movie

Macfarlane’s announcement about developing an LGBTQ Christmas movie for Hallmark is a pretty big deal. He expressed gratitude for not being typecast based on his real-life identity as an openly gay man.

“I’ll play gay. I’ll play straight. I’ll do anything. I am very versatile,” he said, making it clear he’s all about diverse storytelling.

Hallmark’s Commitment to Inclusive Storytelling

Hallmark’s taken some real steps lately to include LGBTQ characters and actors in its programming. Notable moments include:

• The Christmas House (2020): Featured Jonathan Bennett and Brad Harder as the first gay couple in a Hallmark movie
• The Groomsmen trilogy (2024): Starred Jonathan Bennett in a series that won a GLAAD Award for its portrayal of gay characters

Macfarlane’s upcoming project is part of this trend. The goal is to tell stories that resonate with all viewers, while keeping that Hallmark feel-good vibe intact.

Macfarlane’s Journey with Hallmark

He’s had a long relationship with Hallmark, starring in 15 movies with the network. His roles have ranged from romantic leads opposite women to playing a romantic lead opposite a man in 2024’s Notes of Autumn.

Besides acting, he’s also taken on producing, like in the reality show Home Is Where the Heart Is, where he gets to show off his passion for woodworking.

Reflecting on His Hallmark Experience

On the I’ve Never Said This Before podcast in March, Macfarlane looked back on his time with Hallmark. “If you had told me that Hallmark would become this amazing home for me — and it has, I’ve done 15 movies with them,” he said.

“They let me be a romantic lead to many lovely ladies and then they let me be a romantic lead to a man and then they let me produce a show where I get to talk about woodworking! So I’m so incredibly grateful.”

Hallmark’s Evolving Brand

Macfarlane praised Hallmark for its commitment to inclusive storytelling without being overtly political. “Hallmark is definitely telling queer stories, so I’ve been trying to find a queer story that would make sense for them,” he explained.

“It’s very long development.”

Michelle Vicary’s Return

Michelle Vicary, a former programming executive at Hallmark, played a key role in the network’s first steps toward inclusivity. She left after The Christmas House aired but came back in early August to oversee programming and keep pushing Hallmark’s mission of representing all viewers.

Her return seems to signal a renewed commitment to inclusive storytelling at Hallmark. It’s a move that’s honestly pretty encouraging.

The Importance of Representation

Macfarlane emphasized why bringing gay characters into Hallmark’s content matters. “We all have a queer friend, we all have a queer neighbor, we all have a queer brother or sister… It’s actually just part of life,” he said.

By developing an LGBTQ Christmas movie, Macfarlane’s making sure Hallmark’s stories reflect the real, diverse experiences of its audience. And honestly, isn’t that what good storytelling’s all about?

Looking Ahead

Macfarlane’s working on his LGBTQ Christmas movie, and honestly, he seems pretty determined to tell stories that actually mean something to people. He wants viewers to get a little break from real-life stress, and maybe even feel seen along the way.

He’s got this knack for versatility and a real passion for representation, which has made him a big deal at Hallmark. Not to mention, he’s earned a lot of love from fans in the industry.

This latest project? It looks like Macfarlane’s ready to shake things up again. There’s buzz about a holiday film that’s not just heartwarming but also genuinely inclusive.

So, if you’re a fan of his or just like Hallmark’s vibe, you might want to keep an eye out. This Christmas movie promises to celebrate love, family, and maybe even capture a bit of that elusive holiday magic.