Lifetime named Jacky Lai to star in A Sugar and Spice Holiday. Photo via Facebook
Lifetime has released more information about the network’s first Asian American-focused Christmas film, A Sugar & Spice Holiday. According to ET, Jacky Lai (V-Wars) and Tony Giroux (Motherland: Fort Salem) have been chosen as leads alongside beloved actor Tzi Ma (Mulan). The casting director Judy Lee can be credited for selecting these powerhouse talents.
As AsAmNews reported last month, the film is written by Eirene Donohue and directed by Jennifer Liao. The network is also working with the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) in production of the film. The organization is known to “champion diversity by connecting and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islanders in entertainment and media”, according to its official website. As ET reports, the official synopsis of the film is as follows:
“Centered on a Chinese American family, A Sugar & Spice Holiday pm Lifetime follows Suzie (Lai), a rising young architect, who returns to her small hometown in Maine for Christmas, where her Chinese American family runs the local Lobster Bar. Following the loss of her beloved grandmother who was a legendary baker in their community, Suzie is guilted into following in her grandmother’s footsteps by entering the local gingerbread house competition. Teaming up with old high school friend Billy (Giroux), who grew up to be a catch, Suzie must find the right recipes and mix of sugar and spice to win the competition and perhaps find some love in the process.”
While production of this movie is set to begin this week, A Sugar & Spice Holiday is also set to air later this year. Part of a collection of 30 films it premiers October 23rd. CinemaBlend captures some of the excitement already building around the film as “another level of holiday happiness [signaling] bigger and better things to come for future Christmas seasons.”
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or submitting a story.
