‘Holiday in Santa Fe’ Starring Mario Lopez on Lifetime – Plot, Cast, Premiere, & Photos

Photo Credit: Lifetime.

Holiday in Santa Fe is airing in December on Lifetime as part of their “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” event following a successful premiere of Miracle in Motor City starring Tia Mowry and Smokey Robinson. It follows prior weekends of original movies like A Christmas Dance Reunion. Get details on the plot, cast, see photos and a sneak peek below.

Holiday in Santa Fe: What is the Movie About?

Casa de Milagro is a family-owned holiday décor business in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The award-winning designs are inspired by Mexican Christmas traditions and created by matriarch Milagro Ortega. Siblings Tony (Mario Lopez) and Magdalena (Aimee Garcia) run the shop with help from their dad (Efrain Figueroa). But, when Milagro passes away, they struggle a bit.

Enter: Belinda Sawyer (Emeraude Toubia), an executive who sees an opportunity to acquire the company. As she spends time there, sparks fly between her and Tony. Belinda realizes there may be more to Casa de Milagro than meets the eye.

See the trailer below courtesy of Mario Lopez’s Instagram:

The movie was written by Cristela Alonzo. She was the first Latina woman to create, write, produce, and star in her own (eponymous) comedy for US television. Cristela posted a little behind the scenes about the movie when they first started filming. She wrote: “CHRISTMAS MOVIE NEWS! The #ItsAWonderfulLifeTime line-up is officially here!🎄 Check out the movie I wrote #HolidayInSantaFe on December 10th, ONLY on @lifetimetv! 🎁✨ Latino story, Latino cast. 100% Christmas.”

It’s produced by Mark Roberts and directed by Jody Margolin Hahn. Jody’s known for directing numerous TV series like The Conners, Sydney to the Max, and Mr. Iglesias.

Who is in the Holiday in Santa Fe Cast?

Mario Lopez as Tony

Mario Lopez is known for his role of AC Slater on the Saved by the Bell series, and its 2020 sequel. He currently hosts Access Hollywood, and previously hosted Extra. When he’s not working, he spends time with family. Mario’s been married to wife Courtney since 2012. They have 3 kids together.

What makes this movie extra special for Mario is the fact that his daughter Gia is starring in it too! In the film, she plays Frankie, Tony’s niece. Access shared an exclusive sneak peek of them dancing.

Mario Lopez’s Saved by the Bell Reunion

Mario’s been hitting the press circuit lately to discuss season 2 of SBTB. Even cooler? He and co-star Elizabeth Berkley (aka: Jessie Spano) did an interview for his show Access! Elizabeth wrote: “Best time talking all things season 2 of #sbtb for #JessieandSlater with my Dud @mariolopez @peacocktv @accesshollywood #mamaandpapa #friendsforever🔔🎥❤️”

Mario had fun and commented: “Dud :)” in reference to Elizabeth’s accidental misspelling. The co-stars have been friends since they originally starred in the 90s sitcom together. They’ve reunited for the spinoff, which has been fun for them and fans of Jessie and Slater.

Emeraude Toubia as Belinda

Emeraude Toubia may be newer to the Lifetime holiday film scene, but she’s got an impressive resume. Shadowhunters fans will know her as Isabelle Lightwood. Not only is she an actress, but she’s now a designer. Her clothing line Love, Em has garnered rave reviews from press like Glamour for its wearability and versatility.

Up next for her is the Amazon Prime series With Love. Emeraude wrote on Instagram: “My heart bursts as @withloveonprime premieres December 17 WORLDWIDE !! More than 240 countries will enjoy this sexy and heartfelt romantic-comedy series this holiday season only on @amazonprimevideo ! ❤️”

Aimee Garcia as Magdalena

Aimee Garcia is known for portraying Ella Lopez on Lucifer. Other roles of hers include: Didi Diaz in Rush Hour, Jamie Batista in Dexter, and Yvonne Sanchez on Vegas. In November, Aimee revealed she booked a romcom role alongside Freddie Prinze Jr. in a Netflix production.

“Singing, Dancing & Christmas?! Can’t wait for you all to see this movie 🤗 @realfreddieprinze & rest of cast are CRUSHING it!!! 🎄🎁👏🏽 @netflix 🎬” she wrote.

Full Cast List

Mario Lopez as Tony Ortega

Emeraude Toubia as Belinda Sawyer

Aimee Garcia as Magdalena Ortega

Gia Lopez as Frankie Ortega

Efrain Figueroa as Jose Ortega

Hank Chen as Kevin

Zoe Yeoman as Lillian Booth

See Photos from Holiday in Santa Fe on Lifetime

Even though it takes place in December, they actually filmed it in March/April! It was actually filmed on location in New Mexico, as per the Albuquerque Journal. See some photos from the set below.

Photo Credit: Mario Lopez Instagram.

Credit: Instagram @emeraude.

Photo Credit: Emeraude Toubia Instagram.

Credit: Instagram @aimeegarcia4realz.

Credit: Instagram @emeraude.