TV One celebrates the holiday season with the premiere of the original film, DEAR SANTA, I NEED A DATE, which will air on Sunday, December 8 at 7 P.M. ET/6C, followed by an encore presentation at 9 P.M. ET/8C. The romantic comedy stars Ray J (Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, Moesha), and Reagan Gomez-Preston (The Parent ‘Hood, The Cleveland Show), as two ambitious, yet romantically challenged siblings, who make a bet on who will be the first to find love by Christmas.
The film follows the Vaughn family as they gather for Thanksgiving dinner. Parents, Mr. Vaughn (Jay DeVon Johnson) and Mrs. Vaughn (Anne-Marie Johnson), voice their displeasure with their children’s disastrous dating lives. Every holiday season, the Vaughn’s anxiously prepare for their children to bring home a significant other only to be disappointed. This year, The Vaughn’s apply pressure by expressing their concerns to Jason (Ray J) and Janelle (Gomez-Preston), ultimately sparking the Christmas competition.
“It’s great to be part of TV One’s holiday movie DEAR SANTA, I NEED A DATE,” said leading star Ray J. “This is the perfect film for the holiday season and presented by a network that consistently supports me. I’m excited and ready to go.”
Rounding out the stellar cast is singer-actor, MAJOR. (Star), Reginae Carter (Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta) and B. Simone (Wild ‘N Out, Girls Cruise). The movie is directed by Terri J. Vaughn (The Steve Harvey Show, Daddy’s Little Girls), who also directed TV One’s 2018 original holiday film MERRY WISHMAS.
DEAR SANTA, I NEED A DATE is written by Kourtney Richard with casting provided by George Pierre. The film is produced by Swirl Films with Eric Tomosunas, Keith Neal, James Seppelfrick, serving as Executive Producers. Ron Robinson, James “Jimmy” Watson serve as producers. For TV One, Gold Morgan is the Executive Producer in Charge of Production; Donyell Kennedy-McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting, and Brigitte McCray is Senior Vice President of Original Programming and Production.
