Lifetime’s “It’s A Wonderful Lifetime” programming event continues tonight with the premiere of “Candy Cane Candidate,” starring Jacky Lai and Jake Epstein.

Fans will be in for a fun flick with this film, as both stars are people they are likely familiar with. Lai previously starred on the network in films such as “From Straight A’s to XXX,” “The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar” and “A Sugar & Spice Holiday.” Some may also recognize her from roles on Hallmark Channel, which included the films “Love Struck Café” and “Like Cats & Dogs.”

Of fans somehow missed Lai on the network, they will definitely remember Epstein, who already starred in 2021’s “A Christmas Village Romance,” as well as Hallmark’s “Eight Gifts of Hanukkah.” He has also starred in a number of other Lifetime films, including “The Danger Next Door,” “Mistletoe & Menorahs” and “A Storybook Christmas.” Outside of Lifetime, in recent years he also featured as Brian Altman on “Suits” and Chuck Russink on “Designated Survivor.”

Despite both featuring on Lifetime before, this will be their first time working together. So what can fans expect? Let’s find out.

“Natural-born leader Julia (Lai) returns to her hometown of North Falls for Christmas to drown her sorrows in eggnog, cookies and Yuletide after her recent political campaign for city council ended in a landslide loss,” a synopsis reads. “It’s the perfect place for Julia’s holiday escape—until she realizes coming home means running into her old high school rival, Parker (Epstein), the arrogant know-it-all who beat her in a race for senior class president.”

Julia’s holiday getaway quickly becomes something different when an unexpected opportunity arises—one which could put her at risk of both more humiliation—and having her heart crushed.

“When the North Falls mayor resigns, the town holds an emergency election, and Julia and Parker find themselves once again facing off,” the synopsis continues. “But as Julia and Parker campaign their way through the Christmas season and plan a toy drive together, Julia begins to see a different side of Parker, and the ice between them slowly begins to thaw. As their political race comes to a head, Julia and Parker discover winning isn’t everything.”

“Candy Cane Candidate” airs Monday at 8 p.m. EST on Lifetime.

Candy Cane Candidate
Jacky Lai stars in “Candy Cane Candidate.” Courtesy of Lifetime
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