'Mix Up in the Mediterranean': Release date, plot, trailer and all you need to know about Hallmark's first film with gay lead
If you have an appetite for romance, well 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' with its gorgeous locale and fine food on display may just suit your taste. 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' will also appeal to those for whom diversity isn't just something to look for on a menu. The film will feature the first-ever lead gay character in a Hallmark Channel movie.
The Hallmark channel was criticized in December 2019 for pulling an ad with a kiss shared between a lesbian couple. The ad was then reinstated after significant backlash and Hallmark has since committed to including LGBTQ+ representation in its own projects. The 2020 holiday season marked the first time Hallmark included LGBTQ+ characters and storylines in their seasonal movies with 'The Christmas House', featuring Jonathan Bennett and Brad Harder as a gay couple looking to adopt.
RELATED ARTICLES
However 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' will feature the channel's first-ever lead gay character. 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' was shot entirely in Malta and it centers around the mix-up that occurs when a small-town cook impersonates his twin, a big-city chef at a culinary competition. He then ends up falling in love with the woman who is in charge of the competition, who thinks he is his twin, who is gay and happily married. 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' is part of Hallmark's 'Love Ever After' programming event.
Release date
'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' premieres on Saturday, February 20, at 9 pm ET/PT on the Hallmark Channel.
Plot
'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' centers around Josh played by Jeremy Jordan who is content in his small Alaska hometown, cooking at the diner his parents once owned and dreaming of the day he can own it again. But when his twin brother Julian, an acclaimed big city chef, injures himself, Josh agrees to pretend to be Julian in order to compete in one of the most demanding culinary competitions in the world. Clearly, the challenges of the competition aren't enough to keep Josh from noticing the ambitious organizer of the event, Meg, played by Jessica Lowndes. Sparks fly, but it's complicated, to say the least since Meg thinks Josh is his gay, happily married twin.
Cast
Jeremy Jordan
Jeremy Jordan is an American actor and singer who has performed on Broadway, in television, film and other theatrical productions. He is best known for his television roles in 'Supergirl' (2015) and 'Smash' (2012). He plays the dual role of Josh and Julian in 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean'.
Jessica Lowndes
Jessica Lowndes is a Canadian actress, producer and singer-songwriter. She is best known for her roles as Adrianna Tate-Duncan on The CW teen drama series '90210' and for appearing in several Hallmark Channel movies and the 2020 Lifetime Channel movie 'Too Close for Christmas', which she co-produced with co-star Chad Michael Murray.
Callum Blue
British actor Callum Blue is best known for his roles in the hit Showtime series 'Dead Like Me' and is also known for his work in 'The Tudors'. His other notable roles includes 'Related' and 'The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement', co-starring Anne Hathaway. He received his theatrical training at Mountview in London. He currently resides in Los Angeles.
Creators
'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' has been directed by Jonathan Wright. Scriptwriters include Julie Kim and Kariné Marwood. Leif Bristow, Rick Garman and Danny Webber are executive producers while Colin Azzopardi, Agnes Bristow and Borga Dorteris serve as producers.
Trailer
The trailer of 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' shows you that identical twins who can both cook are quite the recipe for confusion. Catch the trailer of 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' below:
Where to watch
You can catch 'Mix Up in the Mediterranean' on the Hallmark Channel on February 20 at 9 pm ET/PT.
If you like this, you'll love these:
'Too Close for Christmas'
'No Reservations'
'A Dash of Love'