Family Matters stars Kellie Shanygne Williams and JoMarie Payton are set to reunite for an upcoming holiday film.
According to a press statement released on Oct. 4, the veteran actresses will appear in a new holiday film titled A Family Matters Christmas. The movie, scheduled to premiere on Nov. 8, will reportedly follow three fictional siblings–Aiden, Emily, and Brandon–as they tap into “the forgotten Christmas spirit” “Alternis” by swapping lives. They then face a race against time to switch back to their usual selves before Christmas day arrives.
“Working with JoMarie again is such a pleasure, and I could not wait to rekindle the spark and warmth that millions have come to love,” Kellie said about JoMarie. The two stars famously played “Laura Winslow” and “Hariette Winslow,” respectively, in the hit ’90s sitcom Family Matters for nine seasons (1989 – 1998).
Not-so-coincidentally, A Family Matters Christmas lives up to its name, as Kellie’s real-life parents, Peggy and Ervin Williams, are reportedly the principals behind the movie’s production company Dream Merchant Media. As such, the film was written and produced by Peggy and executive produced by both her and Ervin.
“When I was writing the story, I realized that the story mirrored my life, and through those life experiences, I’ve learned love, understanding, and forgiveness always win,” Kellie’s mom said in the press statement.
“I feel really good about this movie because the story is so relatable. It is like art imitating life; this story could be about any household anywhere,” Ervin added.
The character “Hailey” will also be portrayed by Kellie’s real-life daughter, Hannah Belle Jackson, and her nephew Julius Terry will be “Jaxx.”
Managing Director/CEO of Vision Films, Lise Romanoff, called A Family Matters Christmas a “labor of love.”
“A labor of love, both behind and on-screen, [the film] makes this a delightful and special holiday film for the entire family,” she said. “The three generations involved and reuniting some favorites from TV history make it that much more meaningful. It is a film that everyone needs heading into the holidays this year!”
A Family Matters Christmas will reportedly be available on all major streaming and cable platforms in the U.S. and Canada.
