Shubhabrata Dutta
The GAF (Great American Family) drama ‘Christmas in Midnight Clear’ shows corporate real estate developer Hillary Shaw arriving at the fictional town of Midnight Clear, which is struggling economically. She intends to acquire the profitable properties and modernize the town, something that the townsfolk aren’t willing to agree to, for obvious reasons. Hillary meets Daniel Porter, a local pastor, and presents the proposal of buying the church. Daniel doesn’t want the church sold as it is the very heart of Midnight Clear, especially during Christmas. He offers to show Hillary what the occasion is like in a manner that is different from what tourists experience.
As she spends more time with the people, she realizes just how special the church is and how deeply it is embedded in their hearts. While there is a conflict of views between Hillary and Daniel, something magical blossoms as both have fruitful realizations about hope, togetherness, and love. In this way, ‘Christmas in Midnight Clear,’ helmed by Nicholas Humphries, shines bright with colorful visuals that highlight the core human emotions explored.
Where Was Christmas in Midnight Clear Filmed?
‘Christmas in Midnight Clear’ was filmed in Manitoba, specifically in Winnipeg. Principal photography took place in the month of August 2025, over the course of a couple of weeks. The cast and crew had a wonderful time recreating Christmas on screen. Director Nicholas Humphries took to social media to express his gratitude. “My love for this cast and crew knows no bounds. Big thanks to everyone that got me here and made my time truly special. I’m gonna be riding this wave for a long time,” he wrote.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, became the base for filming. The production team utilized real locations and seemingly resorted to studio resources, and rentable houses to bring the story to life. For indoor scenes featuring the church, the crew went to the iconic Saint Jean Baptiste’s Roman Catholic church, located at 151 Caron Street, in the Rural Municipality of Montcalm. A round 70 local volunteers were called in for a pivotal Christmas Eve Mass scene. They filled the pews as extras, after which the team gave them instructions on what to do and when.
Sequences were shot over a week, with red curtains added at the back of the sanctuary. Artificial poinsettias, glowing electric candles, and holly were also used. The choir loft was also transformed, featuring two Christmas trees and twinkling lights along the edge. The parish’s sacristy, the room where a priest prepares for a service, was changed to resemble a pastor’s office. After filming was over, the production crew left behind a few Christmas props like candles, trees, and a decorative cross as a token of appreciation.
Some scenes were also taped at the St. Norbert Trappist Monastery Ruins, located at 80 Des Ruines du Monastère Street. It is possible that the crew recorded scenes inside the Trappist guesthouse, AKA St. Norbert Art Centre, at 100 des Ruines du Monastère Street. The interiors were decked out with Christmas décor, with the entire team feeling the Holiday vibes, something that clearly contributed to the compelling depiction of the moving story.
Winnipeg is one of Canada’s cultural hubs, boasting the Festival du Voyageur, Folklorama, which is one of the longest-running cultural festivals in the world, the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, and Reel Pride, which is Canada’s oldest LGBTQ+ film festival. It is home to over 25 National Historic sites. Some of the must-visit spots in Winnipeg are Saint Boniface Cathedral, the Esplanade Riel Bridge, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and the Forks.
Christmas in Midnight Clear Cast Details
The cast of ‘Christmas in Midnight Clear’ features Alicia Josipovic and Jon McLaren as the leads. Alicia is also a fashion designer and opera singer. She is trained in piano and has a love for cars. She also enjoys fishing, although she doesn’t consider herself a fisherman. BAFTA-nominated actor Jon McLaren got his start in modeling after his friends sent his photographs to local talent agents as a practical joke. He spent most of his time growing up playing sports. He enjoys playing golf and hockey and has an interest in snowboarding.
Alicia Josipovic as Hillary Shaw
Alicia Josipovic plays Hillary Shaw in ‘Christmas in Midnight Clear.’ It is her second GAF project after ‘Key to Love,’ where she portrays Samantha Hill. She is a part of other TV movies as well, like Lifetime’s ‘Secretly Santa,’ Hallmark’s ‘For Better or for Worse,’ and Disney Channel’s ‘Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam’ and ‘Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars.’ Her notable performances include Bianca DeSousa in ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation,’ Dancy Cologne in ‘Debra,’ and Ashley in ‘Marriage: Impossible.’
Jon McLaren as Daniel Porter
Jon McLaren essays the role of Daniel Porter in ‘Christmas in Midnight Clear.’ He plays Willem Jansen in ‘Christmas on Windmill Way,’ and Jonathan in ‘The Great Christmas Switch,’ both GAF productions. A familiar face on television, he has a string of TV movies to his credit, like Lifetime’s ‘Mistletoe & Menorahs,’ ‘A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story,’ ‘Not So Perfect Stranger,’ and ‘House of Deadly Lies,’ and Hallmark’s ‘When Hope Calls,’ ‘Holiday Mismatch,’ ‘Boyfriends of Christmas Past,’ and ‘Double Holiday.’ Some well-known feature films he is a part of are ‘Race,’ ‘House at the End of the Street,’ and ‘The Covenant.’
McLaren and Josipovic are joined by Michael Strickland as Brandon and Katie German in a background role.
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