Finding Mr. Christmas Is Back — and the Search for Hallmark's Next Holiday Hunk Is On

If you’ve ever wondered how Hallmark finds the guys who make your cocoa spill and your heart flutter, Finding Mr. Christmas is the answer. 

Hosted by Jonathan Bennett, this unscripted holiday competition is part festive fun, part Hallmark bootcamp, and entirely charming. 

Ten men compete to become Hallmark’s next leading Christmas hunk, and while the mistletoe might be fake, the chemistry is very real.

Season 2 kicks things up a notch, with new challenges, new faces, and even more Christmas spirit. 

It’s everything you love about Hallmark movies — wrapped in a bow and sprinkled with behind-the-scenes magic.

Before tonight’s premiere, we caught up with two of Hallmark’s most beloved personalities — Melissa Peterman and Jonathan Bennett — along with four of this season’s contenders who are hoping to sleigh the competition.

Melissa Peterman Spills on the Toughest Job in Christmas TV

Leave it to Melissa Peterman to make wrangling handsome contestants sound like an extreme sport. “Not all heroes wear capes,” she joked when we thanked her for taking on such a “tough gig.” And she’s not wrong — hosting this festive flirt fest takes energy, humor, and a lot of patience.

Peterman, joined by contestants Drake and Marcus, kept the vibe merry and bright as they talked about holiday magic and Hallmark dreams. 

When asked why Christmas makes the perfect time to find a new leading man, Melissa didn’t hesitate: “Christmas is the perfect time for finding everything — shoes, leading men, jewelry, hot chocolate… all of it.”

Her contestants had their own ideas. Drake, a dog lover, said he’d love to step into a Happy Holidays role, while Marcus leaned into superhero territory — though Melissa quickly turned it into a love story. By the end of the chat, the trio had practically written a new Hallmark movie on the spot.

Jonathan Bennett Reveals What It Takes to Be a Hallmark Leading Man

Jonathan Bennett knows a thing or two about Hallmark magic. 

As both host and Hallmark icon, he explained that Finding Mr. Christmas is “for the Hallmark movie lovers,” offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at how those charming, heart-filled holiday heroes are found.

“We’re looking for five factors,” Bennett shared. “Funny, charming, kind, a great sense of humor, and a whole lot of heart.” But there’s one thing you can’t define — the “it factor.” 

Contestants Logan and Rustin nodded in agreement, both noting how genuine connection and shared holiday spirit made the experience special.

Jonathan teased that fans are in for some wild challenges this season, including a skiing-and-scene-memorizing combo that’s pure Hallmark chaos. 

“If that’s where we’re starting,” he laughed, “you can expect the craziest challenges you’ve ever seen.”

Will You Watch?

Will you be tuning in to root for your favorite Mr. Christmas hopeful?

I don’t know how you can look at these four contestants and not want to see the rest!

Finding Mr. Christmas premieres tonight at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel, and streams the next day on Hallmark+. 

Grab your cocoa (or Hallmark wine; we’re not picky), cue up your twinkle lights, and get ready for a dose of holiday cheer — Hallmark-style.