Naman Shrestha
Helmed by Marco Deufemia, Lifetime’s ‘A Runaway Bride for Christmas’ is a holiday romantic comedy drama movie that revolves around a young woman named Emma, who flees before her wedding and goes to her hometown. While seeking refuge there, the runaway bride crosses paths with someone from her past — her high school crush, named Mitch. Over time, Emma’s old feelings reignite, and she finds herself falling head over heels in love with him. Meanwhile, Mitch is secretly going through a heartbreak of his own. The love story unfolds in a quaint town, where Emma’s memories of her childhood and feelings for her teenage crush collide to work their magic against the backdrop of Christmas.
Where Was A Runaway Bride for Christmas Filmed?
‘A Runaway Bride for Christmas’ was filmed entirely in Ontario, especially in and around Toronto. According to reports, principal photography for the romantic movie took place in the month of August 2025 over the course of a couple of weeks. Apart from the vast and versatile landscape of Ontario, the province also offers a wealth of local talent and other advantages, making it an ideal filming destination for a wide range of projects.
Toronto, Ontario
To create the visual aesthetic of ‘A Runaway Bride for Christmas,’ the production team settled on the city of Toronto in Ontario. Several locations in the city served as filming sites for Emma’s hometown, where she not only finds solace but also rekindles her romance with her high school crush. Emma and Mitch’s journey of self-discovery and healing takes them to many spots across the capital of Ontario. From cozy neighborhood spots to bustling streets, the production team utilized the city’s seasonal charm, festive decor, architectural structures, and cinematic appeal to craft a setting that beautifully complements the tone of the narrative.
The decision to tape the Lifetime production in The 6ix is not a surprise, given its longstanding reputation as one of the world’s major production hubs. Owing to its versatile landscape, supportive film industry, state-of-the-art production facilities, experienced crews, a pool of talent, and favorable weather conditions, it has also been dubbed Hollywood of the North (a colloquialism it shares with Vancouver). Over the decades, it has served as a filming destination for numerous movies and shows, such as ‘Serendipity,’ ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,’ ‘Meet Me Next Christmas,’ ‘Love, Rosie,’ ’12 Dates of Christmas,’ ‘The Vow,’ ‘Queer as Folk,’ ‘Tiny Pretty Things,’ ‘Man Seeking Woman,’ and ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation.’
A Runaway Bride for Christmas Cast Details
The wholesome tale of ‘A Runaway Bride for Christmas’ is brought to life by the performances of Nischelle Turner and Mark Ghanimé. The former is an Emmy Award-winning co-host of ‘Entertainment Tonight’ and a renowned journalist, with experience working with CNN, Newsroom, and more. As for Mark, he has more than two decades of experience in the industry and has gained a significant amount of prominence in the film industry, thanks to his acting prowess.
Nischelle Turner as Emma
Nischelle Turner portrays Emma, the runaway bride who flees to her hometown, in ‘A Runaway Bride for Christmas.’ She is popular for playing the role of a host and anchor in TV shows like ‘Torchwood,’ ‘Supergirl,’ ‘American Horror Story,’ ‘The Young and the Restless,’ ‘Random Rings,’ and more. Nischelle also portrays herself in ‘The Other Two’ and ‘Being Mary Jane.’
Mark Ghanimé as Mitch Holden
Mark Ghanimé essays the role of Mitch Holden, Emma’s high school crush and romantic interest, in the Lifetime production. Widely recognized for his portrayals of Hugh Peters in ‘Christmas with a View,’ Run in ‘Eve of Destruction,’ Major Sergio Balleseros in ‘Helix,’ and Dr. Cameron Hayek in ‘Virgin River,’ and Dev in ‘The Bold Type.’ He also features in ‘To All a Good Night,’ ‘The Age of Adaline,’ ‘Twinkle All the Way,’ ‘The Wedding Planners,’ ‘Private Eyes,’ and ‘Reign.’
Besides the lead actors, ‘A Runaway Bride for Christmas’ also features other talented actors in supporting roles, including Jacqueline Ashton as Cashier Anne, Luxton Handspiker as Lucas Holden, Tom Hearn as Jerrod, Darryl Hinds as Scout, Kaitlyn Leeb as Nikki Foster, and Matt Wells as Ryan.
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