Hallmark’s Mahogany line of cards has been a staple for many black Americans since 1987. Whether it's for Christmas, Kwanzaa, birthdays, or just a get-well message, their authenticity and culturally centered themes continue to resonate. So, it only made sense that the company would take that same line and use it as a basis for some of their tv movies.
With Hallmark’s most diverse line-up yet, 2022 is the perfect year to debut their first ever Mahogany Christmas film. The Holiday Stocking is set to debut on their Movies and Mysteries network, as part of their ‘Miracles of Christmas’ marathon — an excellent fit for such a heartwarming story.
The Holiday Stocking and Its Incredible Cast
Not just your average feel-good movie, The Holiday Stocking is also incredibly bittersweet. With a story that deals with regret, loss, family traditions, and Christmas love and charity, it sets the scene for everything that Hallmark Mahogany is all about.
“RJ is a new angel who is given the chance to address his one regret — that he didn’t help his sisters reconcile while he was still alive. Returning to earth as a stranger, he gets each of them to revive The Holiday Stocking — their parent’s old tradition to encourage charity at Christmas.”
And although it’s just been announced, this film already has a substantial cast featuring Nadine Ellis, B.J. Britt, Karon Riley, Tamala Jones, and Mykelti Williamson.
Ellis started off as a professional dancer, appearing in a number of music videos and films such as Iron Man 2. From there, she gained a number of major roles in different TV series like Reno 911, BET’s Let’s Stay Together, and FOX’s Our Kind of People. Britt is best known as Antoine Triplett in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Paul Patterson Jr. in Being Mary Jane. He also previously starred in Lifetime’s 2019 holiday movie, Rediscovering Christmas.
Riley is a retired NFL player, having last played with the Cleveland Gladiators, and has had occasional film and television roles since 2010. For seven years, Jones co-starred as Dr. Lanie Parish on the hit series Castle. She also appeared in the 2019 Netflix romantic comedy, ‘Holiday Rush.’ As for Williamson, you might remember him as Bubba in 1994’s Forrest Gump and as Baby-O in 1997’s Con Air. He has had a long and substantial career since the late 1970s, more recently reprising his role from Broadway’s revival of Fences for the 2016 film adaptation.
What Is Hallmark Mahogany?
Hallmark has actually been selling cards catering towards African Americans ever since 1962. Yet 25 years later, they released their Mahogany line to provide them with even more variety. Thanks to their themes of community, positivity, and family ties, they were an instant hit across many urban areas. So with more diversity on their minds, the company finally decided to parlay the brand into a series of TV films starting in 2022. The very first one Unthinkably Good Things was released on August 28th, with a cast led by Karen Pittman, Joyful Drake, and Erica Ash. The second film, To Her, With Love, premiered on September 11th and paired Skye P. Marshall with Tobias Truvillion.
Just like its two predecessors, The Holiday Stocking will air on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries network. The third film in the Mahogany lineup will premiere on December 3rd and the Elf Squad can’t wait to see what is in store for the very first Mahogany Christmas film.