The Christmas Setup, directed by Pat Mills (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Totally Television, NSI Features First, NSI Script to Screen), premieres this month on Lifetime and CTV.

The film is making history as Lifetime’s first Christmas movie about a LGBTQ+ couple. The film follows Hugo (Ben Lewis) – a New York lawyer returning home for Christmas. His mom (Fran Drescher) eagerly tries to set him up with his former crush, Patrick (Blake Lee).

Pat Mills spoke with CTV Morning Live about how audiences want to see themselves represented on screen – and he was drawn to the supportive, feel-good nature of the film.

The Christmas Setup airs on CTV Drama Channel December 18 at 8 p.m., and on Lifetime (US) on December 12.