Naman Shrestha
Helmed by Michael Kennedy, Lifetime’s ‘Merry Missed Connection’ is a holiday romantic comedy film that follows Marie, a woman in her early 30s who has been keeping a record of her life for more than two decades by maintaining a diary. Struggling to find the one for her, she decides to give a speed dating event a try in the hopes of finding the right man to take home for the holidays. Her diary also includes the compilation of her preferences she has developed over the years, so she takes it with her in case she needs it for reference.
However, at the event, when she puts her diary down, Marie mistakenly picks up a stranger’s diary, thinking it’s hers. With Christmas fast approaching, she hopes to somehow reunite with her diary, and in the process, find her potential soulmate. Originally titled ‘The Perfect Christmas Date,’ the wholesome tale of love and fate unfolds in a variety of locations, all adorned with Christmas lights and other decorations, enhancing the overall quality of the narrative.
Where Was Merry Missed Connection Filmed?
‘Merry Missed Connection’ was seemingly filmed in Ontario, possibly in and around Hamilton. From the looks of it, principal photography for the Christmas movie supposedly took place in the month of July 2024, over the course of a few weeks, under the original title ‘The Perfect Christmas Date.’
Hamilton, Ontario
The taping of ‘Merry Missed Connection’ likely took place in Hamilton, in the southeastern part of Ontario. Located on the western tip of Lake Ontario, the port city is renowned for its industrial heritage, thriving art and cultural scene, scenic landscapes, and other historical and contemporary landmarks that make it a favorable spot for the production of a diverse range of genres and scales. Therefore, it is understandable if the production team decided to frame the visual canvas of the Lifetime movie in the diverse surroundings of The Ambitious City.
Hamilton’s lucrative film-friendly policies, coupled with its proximity to Toronto — a major production hub — offer easy access to major studios, equipment, as well as a pool of local talent and skilled crew members. Its reputation as a filming destination for several Christmas-themed films only adds to its appeal. Over the years, it has hosted the shooting of several holiday movies such as ‘Royally Yours, This Christmas,’ ‘Christmas Casanova,’ ‘A Cozy Christmas Quilt,’ ‘Magical Christmas Ornaments,’ ‘On the Twelfth Day of Christmas,’ ‘Trading Up Christmas,’ ‘Christmas Magic,’ ‘How to Fall in Love by Christmas,’ and ‘Planes, Trains, and Christmas Trees.’
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Merry Missed Connection Cast Details
The Lifetime production is led by Emily Alatalo and Andrew Bushell. Having grown up in a household filled with athletes, Emily dabbled in the worlds of gymnastics and wrestling before realizing that her true potential lay in acting. With over 50 credits to her name, she has made a name for herself in the world of movies and television. Andrew’s filmography spans nearly 70 acting credits, which highlight his steady rise in the entertainment industry. His innate charm and emotional depth seamlessly blend with Emily’s warmth, resulting in a captivating on-screen chemistry.
Emily Alatalo as Marie
Emily Alatalo steps into the role of Marie in ‘Merry Missed Connection.’ She gained widespread attention for her portrayal in ‘Workin’ Moms’ as Ginnie McMillan, ‘Spare Parts’ as Emma, ‘Hunting Grounds’ as Chloe, ‘Christmas Plus One’ as Cara Martin, and ‘Sweve’ as Stevie. Her other credits include ‘Sinister Switch,’ ‘The Princess and the Bodyguard,’ ‘Christmas in Maple Hills,’ ‘Crossroad Springs,’ ‘Christmas North of Nashville,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘The Returned,’ ‘A Perfect Match,’ ‘Don’t Mess with Grandma,’ ‘Hunting Grounds,’ and ‘9 Days with Cambria.’
Andrew Bushell as Andrew
Andrew Bushell essays the character of Andrew in the Lifetime movie. You may recognize him from his performance as Justin in ‘Jump, Darling,’ Charles in ‘The Wedding Planners,’ Michael Billinger in ‘Hudson & Rex,’ Staffer Dennis in ‘Designated Survivor,’ and Jordy in ‘Salvation.’ His acting abilities are on full display in a variety of shows and movies such as ‘Second Jen,’ ‘TallBoyz,’ ‘Strays,’ ‘All I Didn’t Want for Christmas,’ ’24-Karat Christmas,’ ‘Dinner with Friends,’ ‘SkyMed,’ ‘The Spencer Sisters,’ ‘The Love Club,’ ‘Record Breaking Christmas,’ and ‘Six Guns for Hire.’
In the Christmas-themed movie, Noah Berc appears as Noah Jones, while Julia Knope dons the garb of Anna. The supporting cast comprises of several other talented actors like Paula Boudreau, Andrew Bushell, Nico DeCastris, and D.J. Demers. The movie also features Subhash Santosh as Chef Arian, Aaron Schwartz as Santa and Maya Thomas as Beth.
