One matchmaking mom is looking to find the present of a perfect man for her single gay son while is home for the holidays.
Donald PadgettLifetime is putting a big present under the LGBTQ+ Christmas tree this season with a holiday movie featuring a same-sex romance as the lead. The Christmas Set-Up tells the heartwarming tale of a matchmaking mom intent on finding the right man for her successful single son over the holidays, and it’s part of the network’s emphasis on greater LGBTQ+ representation in its programming.
“We are thrilled to continue our legacy of creating a holiday destination that is welcoming to all at Lifetime,” Amy Winter, EVP and head of programming at Lifetime and LMN, said in a statement. “With more new movies than any one cable network for streamer, I couldn’t be prouder of the incredible talent joining us in front of, and behind the camera, on these new holiday movies.”
The Christmas Set-Up revolves around Hugo, a corporate lawyer from New York, who returns home for the holidays with his best friend, Madelyn. While there, his matchmaking mom, Kate, decides it’s time for her single son to settle down with the right man. Unbeknownst to Hugo, she plans for her son to run into his old secret crush from high school who is also home for the holidays. Patrick has returned from Silicon Valley, and the two successful professionals start rekindling their old friendship. Following a time-tested plotline for straight couples in similar situations, their relationship deepens and the pair find themselves falling in love.
Then just as mom appears to have successfully matched her son with Patrick, Hugo receives word from New York that he’s been tabbed for a big promotion, but it requires a move to London. Now the love-torn lawyer must decide what is more important to him. Is it the material wealth and further professional success, or is it something closer to home with Patrick and family?
With The Christmas Set-Up, Lifetime beats out the Hallmark Channel in announcing a holiday movie featuring a same-sex romance as the main plotline. Hallmark had announced in June they were in “active negotiations” to include an LGBTQ+ themed piece in its famed holiday lineup of syrupy Christmas romance movies, but there has been no further word from the network on the matter since that time, however.
The Christmas Set-Up was one of 30 new movies Lifetime announced will air during its annual "It's a Wonderful Lifetime" holiday block.
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