'First Christmas': Meet Idara Victor, Tonea Stewart and rest of the cast of OWN's festive family flick

It revolves around a writer named Halle who has to come and spend Christmas with the biological family she never knew she had
(OWN)
(OWN)

Ho ho ho and a bottle of rum. It's Christmas time, and if you haven't exhausted all options of 'The Holidate', 'A Glenbrooke Christmas', and everything else that Netflix and Hallmark churned out on your festive platter, here's our next suggestion: 'First Christmas', an OWN production. It revolves around a writer named Halle who has to come and spend Christmas with the biological family she never knew she had.

Everyone's excited to see her but Halle struggles to find her place in this new chaotic family. But that's what 'First Christmas' is all about — she realizes that she is home. Christmas films are all about warm fuzzies and being with family, so no surprise 'First Christmas' follows the same pattern. We can never get tired of Christmas films even though you can't tell one apart from the other sometimes.

Here's how the synopsis goes: "Given up for adoption and placed in foster care at a young age, writer Halle Downing (Idara Victor, 'Alita: Battle Angel') receives the blessing of a lifetime when she is invited to spend Christmas in New Orleans with the biological family she never knew she had – The Moores. Halle’s grandmother “Memaw" (Tonea Stewart, 'A Time to Kill') welcomes the young woman with open arms, completely overwhelming Halle with emotion at the significance of finally finding her family. 

Extremely excited to meet her twin siblings Tiffany (Samantha Smith, 'Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins') and Glenn (Mason Beauchamp, 'NCIS: New Orleans') along with younger brother Drew (Peyton Jackson, “Nobody’s Fool”) for the first time, Halle soon faces the hard reality that finding her place in this close-knit family is going to take longer than she thought, something that becomes particularly evident when she witnesses Tiffany’s apprehension about introducing her new girlfriend Paris (Amanda Tavarez, 'Queen Sugar') to the family for the first time.

However, as Christmas approaches, Halle begins to gain perspective on the Moore family dynamic and ultimately comes to embrace and celebrate her first family holiday with a special gift that tells her she is right where she is supposed to be." Meet the cast of this entertaining OWN film.

Idara Victor

Idara Victor (Getty Images)

Idara Victor is a Nigerian-American stage, television and film actress best known for her lead roles in 'Rizzoli & Isles' and 'Turn: Washington's Spies', and 'Alita: Battle Angel'.

Tonea Stewart

Tonea Stewart (Getty Images)

Stewart had a recurring role as Aunt Etta Kibby in the American television series 'In the Heat of the Night', and has acted in films such as 'Girls Trip', 'The Hollars', and 'A Time To Kill'. The rest of the cast includes Samantha Smith, Peyton Jackson and Amanda Tavarez. 

'First Christmas' will release on December 22 at 9 pm on OWN.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Black Panther’ director Ryan Coogler revealed that 'The Long Walk' actor would take on the lead role in the film
1 hour ago
Miami may be the backdrop in ‘72 Hours’, but most of the movie came to life somewhere completely different. Here is the full filming story.
1 day ago
‘Her Private Hell’ is Nicolas Winding Refn's first film in 10 years
1 day ago
Netflix's new Kevin Hart comedy has barely arrived, but fans already want more. Is ‘72 Hours’ 2 on the cards, or is this wild ride over?
2 days ago
Michelle Hadley’s life was upended by a shocking case of false accusations and identity theft, as explored in ‘A Toxic Love Story.’
2 days ago
The first official trailer for Zach Cregger's ‘Resident Evil’ teases a terrifying night in Raccoon City and a desperate fight for survival
2 days ago
Robert Pattinson leads A24's 2006-set drama about the making of 'To Catch a Predator' ahead of its Venice screening.
3 days ago
Richard Linklater and Glen Powell are reuniting for a Lou Gehrig biopic. Here is what you need to know about the film and its cast.
4 days ago
Tom Rhys Harries' Matt Hagen loses control after a risky treatment turns his body and mind against him, with the latest trailer featuring body horror.
4 days ago
A24’s new Hollywood drama follows a comeback story filled with ambition, setbacks and chances, with Chris Rock marking his first feature since 2014.
4 days ago