Hallmark's Jonathan Bennett talks about his new film trilogy breaking down LGBTQ+ stereotypes and what it feels like to tell such stories

As the end of the year leaves Halloween behind, there’s still something extra special to enjoy: Hallmark Christmas movies. In fact, the 2024 Hallmark movies have already begun premiering, and this is just the beginning. Hallmark has featured many big names over the years, and one of its newest regular stars in its marquee films is Jonathan Bennet. Bennet has and continues to speak openly about being part of Hallmark’s journey to represent the queer community and break down stereotypes.

The actor is perhaps best known for his role as Aaron Samuels in the groundbreaking comedy Mean Girls. He’s done a lot since those high school days, including his relationship with the Hallmark Channel and mini-reunion with ex-co-star Lacey Chabert while working with the streamer. The alum opened up to people in an interview about how his career with the holiday giant has evolved since his first LGBTQ+ film in 2022 and what’s to come, including the Groomsmen Trilogy currently premiering:

I don’t think many of these stories are being told. So when you tell the story of Danny, who is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and then becomes a coach, that’s another thing that breaks the heteronormative storyline that you’d like to have [see] in many films. …I haven’t actually seen a gay character go from being a baseball player to becoming a coach. I think that’s a really interesting point of view to explore and that was really powerful.

The upcoming film shows three male leads, their friendship with each other and their love lives. The Cake Wars The host further discussed how the films highlight men expressing their vulnerability. He shares that it’s a topic that isn’t often discussed in popular culture, and he’s happy to help normalize the feelings.

I don’t think we see a lot of men, straight or gay, being vulnerable with each other, opening up and saying, “Hey, I’m afraid of this.” Hey, that worries me. Hey, this is something in my life that I’m thinking about and it’s making me uncomfortable and I don’t know what to do about it. You don’t see this story often. But when that happens in a film, it gives viewers the courage and willingness to do it themselves.

Bennett then reflected on how different conversations and representations of the LGBTQ+ community were less than two decades ago. He didn’t think he would not only star in the first LGBTQ+ Hallmark Channel movie, which he did and had the best reaction when he found out he got the movie, but that he would also be one third of a trio would be in a trilogy where same-sex relationships were announced in the same terms as heteronormative relationships. He shared:

10 years ago, 15 years ago, I never thought it would ever be me [starring] in a Hallmark movie that so many people have seen across middle America and in so many different places in the country… and I would be playing a gay character, marrying another man, and having two straight best friends behind me in the frame , who supports and lifts me up. I never thought I would make this film. And here we are and we did it. And not only did we make it, we destroyed it because Greece is so beautiful and the scenes turned out so great. It was just a very emotional moment watching that part of the edit. I thought, “Wow, this is really cool.”

I always look forward to a movie night with Jonathan Bennett, especially when it offers a good message, an iconic throwback to a classic, and a fun time. If you want to join in on the inclusive and heartwarming fun, you can stream The groomsmen: first look (October 17th), The Groomsmen: Second Chance (October 24th), And The Groomsmen: The Last Dance (October 31) on Hallmark+.

Hallmark’s Jonathan Bennett talks about his new film trilogy breaking down LGBTQ+ stereotypes and what it feels like to tell such stories

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