INDIANAPOLIS — 'Tis the season to find the next leading man in a Hallmark Christmas movie!
In "Finding Mr. Christmas," 10 aspiring actors are competing to take home the title of "Mr. Christmas" and star in a Hallmark movie the week after the reality show ends.
"We put 10 hunky guys into one house, and they compete in holiday-themed and acting-themed challenges week-by-week, where each week, someone is eliminated," said host Jonathan Bennett ("Mean Girls," "The Holiday Sitter").
The judging panel is led by Melissa Peterman ("Reba," "Haul Out the Holly") and weekly guest judges of Hallmark personalities.
"First of all, you're starstruck at the very beginning. But then you realize, they genuinely have your back," contestant Blake Kelley said.
The cast consists of former college athletes, a competitive MMA fighter, Broadway performers, a former Navy rescue diver and more.
"I'm so full of Christmas cheer 24/7, 365, so I felt at home the whole time," contestant Ezra Moreland said. "What I wasn't expecting was the comradery we built going through this pressure, these challenges together."
"Being a former Team USA athlete, I'm used to competing with guys who are super talented. Coming on set and realizing these guys are super talented and we're going after something, the pressure bonds you as well," contestant Jonathan Wells said.
PHOTOS: Cast of "Finding Mr. Christmas"
Reality TV is known for bringing the drama; however, don't expect the same level in "Finding Mr. Christmas" as you would see on shows like "The Bachelor," "RuPaul's Drag Race" or "Big Brother."
"I like to say there's 'Hallmark drama.' There's nothing that tips the boat, but there's definitely some moments tensions are formed within the room, and the vulnerabilities definitely come out," contestant Gage Robinson said.
Twenty years ago, Bennett was asking Lindsay Lohan's character what day it was ("It's October 3rd") and learning what "grool" meant. Now, he's hosting a Hallmark reality competition series.
"What it comes down to is the pop culture zeitgeist that is the world today. 'Mean Girls,' huge part of pop culture. Hallmark, huge part of pop culture," Bennett said. "I think those audiences are the same. They like that feel-good pop culture moment."
New episodes of "Finding Mr. Christmas" are released Thursdays on Hallmark+.