Rueben's Ramblings

Here is the long list of the programming options to expect on TV this coming week:

On November 25, the HBO limited series drama Get Millie Black will debut at 9 PM. Ex-Scotland Yard detective Millie-Jean Black (Tamara Lawrance) returns to Kingston to work missing persons cases, soon finding herself on a quest to save a sibling who won’t be saved, to find a child who can’t be found, to solve a case that will blow her world apart and prove almost as tough to crack as Millie Black. The cast includes Joe Dempsie, Chyna McQueen and Gershwyn Eustache Jr.

The holiday movie Christmas Under the Lights will debut on November 27 at 8 PM on Hallmark Mystery. Emily (Heather Hemmens) is always reluctant to return home to her family’s animal rescue ranch — but when her mother passes away, her brother Nick requests her help organizing the annual Christmas Carnival. When she arrives, she discovers Nick’s friend, Luke (Marco Grazzini), staying at the ranch — and that Luke was once a successful artist who works with light. Though initially reluctant to collaborate, Emily and Luke work hard to pull off the best, most light-filled carnival the town has ever seen, a healing celebration of Emily’s mother’s legacy and the magic of Christmas and along the way feel sparks of romance as radiant as the lights themselves.

On November 27, the Netflix holiday movie Our Little Secret will debut online. Two resentful exes (Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding) are forced to spend Christmas under the same roof after discovering that their current partners are siblings. The ensemble cast includes Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Rudnitsky, Chris Parnell, Tim Meadows, Dan Bucatinsky, Henry Czerny, Katie Baker, Ash Santos, Jake Brennan and Brian Unger.

The BET+ holiday movie The Day Before Christmas will debut online on November 28. When two single parents accidentally swap phones and their children’s backpacks on a hectic Christmas Eve, they find themselves covering for each other in a series of chaotic yet heartwarming events, leading to unexpected romance. The ensemble cast includes Tristan Wilds, Candace Maxwell, Finn Maloney, Ava Marie Threat, Gerard Catus, Palmer Williams Jr., Ashley Forrestier, Perri L. Camper, Trell Woodberry, Heiress Harris, Ace Tucker, Joyce Glenn, Towanda Braxton, Chinai Routte and Darren Brand.

On November 28, the limited series The Madness will debut online on Netflix. After a media pundit stumbles upon a dead body deep in the Poconos woods, he finds himself framed for the murder of a notorious white supremacist. This series stars Colman Domingo, Gabrielle Graham, John Ortiz, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Tamsin Topolski and TJ Mixon.

The MAX feature film rom-com Sweethearts will debut online on November 28. Two college freshmen make a pact to break up with their high school sweethearts over Thanksgiving break, leading them on a chaotic night out in their hometown that puts their codependent friendship to the test. Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga star.

On November 28, the Hallmark+ holiday movie Unwrapping Christmas: Olivia’s Reunion will debut online. Olivia (Cindy Busby), the gift-wrapping expert at All Wrapped Up, makes a delivery to a remote cabin only to find her ex-boyfriend Benjamin (Jake Epstein) on the other side of the door. After the pair have a minor spat, an unexpected storm traps them together. Neither of them is happy to be forced to spend time together. However as talk turns to shared memories, old feelings and warmth begins to resurface and they are left wondering if it’s possible to get it right a second time.

The Hallmark Channel movie Debbie Macomber’s Joyful Mrs. Miracle will debut on November 28 at 8 PM. Three adult siblings (Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes, Matthew James Dowden and Max Lloyd-Jones) return to their childhood home at Christmas to honor their late grandmother’s wishes and try to agree on new leadership for the family’s company. Enter Annie Merkel (Rachel Boston) – also known as Mrs. Miracle – who poses as an estate planner and uses her special brand of Christmas magic to help the family find common ground and rekindle their bonds. As the siblings try to sort things out, Charlotte (Lamothe-Kipnes) also finds herself reconnecting with Austin (Tanner Novlan), the manor’s caretaker and her first love.

Also on November 28, the Great American Family holiday movie I Heard the Bells will debut at 8 PM. The film is the inspiring, true story behind the beloved Christmas carol and the song’s author, America’s beloved poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Known as America’s Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow leads an idyllic life until the day his world is shattered by tragedy. With a nation divided by Civil War and his family torn apart, Henry puts down his pen, silenced by grief. But it’s the sound of Christmas morning that reignites the poet’s lost voice as he discovers the resounding hope of rekindled faith. The film stars Stephen Atherholt, Jonathan Blair and Rachel Day Hughes.

On November 29, the new series The Agency will debut its first two episodes on Paramount+ With Showtime. Based on the 2015 series The Bureau, this series follows a world of even deeper intrigue and subterfuge, with characters fighting their own battles as they grapple with existential threats to the nation and the world. Michael Fassbender leads a cast that includes David Harewood, Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith and Richard Gere. NOTE: The Agency will debut on linear TV on Showtime on December 1 at 9 PM.

The limited series Senna will debut online on Netflix on November 29. Fascinated by cars since childhood, Brazilian racer Ayrton Senna (Gabriel Leone) became a sports legend — until tragedy struck, changing Formula 1 forever. The cast also includes Kaya Scodelario.

On November 29, the Hallmark Channel holiday movies A 90’s Christmas and Deck the Walls will both debut at 6 and 8 PM respectively. In A 90’s Christmas, workaholic lawyer Lucy Miller (Eva Bourne) is celebrating her promotion alone on Christmas Eve when a mysterious rideshare experience transports her back to 1999. Reliving the holiday with her mom, sister and best friend – not to mention her high school crush – Lucy gets a second chance to understand where her relationships went wrong. Will this magical journey help her rewrite her future or leave her destined to be alone? The film also stars Chandler Massey and Katherine Barrell. Meanwhile, in Deck the Walls, rRose (Ashley Greene) is a Chicago-based interior designer, whose brother Sal (Danny Pellegrino) is responsible for a Christmas Charity House Flip back in their suburban Ohio hometown. When a budget crisis puts this important project in danger, Rose reluctantly returns during the holidays to try to save the day. Not ready to face the ghosts of her past, Rose’s plan is to get in, get it done, and get out ASAP. But before she knows it, she is face-to-face with Brysen (Wes Brown), her brother’s best friend, contractor and who just so happens to be the bane of Rose’s youth. With the help of friends and family, and buoyed by the season of giving, the trio figures out a way to work together for this worthy cause. As Rose works, she discovers unexpected love and deeper purpose along the way.

A Cinderella Christmas Ball holiday movie will debut on Great American Family at 8 PM on November 29. With only the Internet, a plane ticket and a lifelong determination to find her birth family Chelsea (Danica McKellar) travels to royal hamlet, Havenshire, at Christmas. Along the way, Chelsea sneaks into a castle, teaches a stubborn Prince (Oliver Rice) how to dance, and looks to be in the perfect place when the bells toll Christmas Eve.

On November 30, the Hallmark Channel holiday movies Believe in Christmas and Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story will both debut at 6 and 8 PM respectively. In Believe in Christmas, when Beatrice (Meghan Ory) reluctantly joins her best friend on a trip to the enchanting Christmasland, she’s skeptical of the holiday magic surrounding them. But as she experiences festive traditions and meets a charming stranger named Ethan (John Reardon), she begins to question what’s real and what’s part of the experience. In the end, Christmasland helps Beatrice rediscover hope, love, and the magic of new beginnings. NOTE: For those unaware, Meghan and John are husband and wife in real life. Then in Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, Alana Higman (Hunter King) is sure that her family’s lifelong history as Kansas City Chiefs superfans makes them a frontrunner to win the team’s “Fan of the Year” contest. Derrick (Tyler Hynes), Director of Fan Engagement, is tasked with evaluating how Alana and her family stack up against the other two finalists. As the pair spends time together, it’s clear there’s a spark between them but when her grandfather’s (Ed Begley Jr.) vintage Chiefs good-luck winter hat goes missing, Alana begins to doubt everything she believed about fate, destiny and even questions her future with Derrick – unless, that is, a little Christmas magic can throw a Hail Mary. The rest of the cast includes Richard Riehle, Diedrich Bader, Christine Ebersole and Megyn Price. The movie will also feature cameos by Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, Chiefs Players Trey Smith, Mecole Hardman Jr., Clyde Edwards-Helaire and George Karlaftis, Donna Kelce, and Jenna Bush Hager.

The Lifetime holiday movie BeBe Winans’ We Three Kings will debut on November 30 at 8 PM. Bebe Winans plays Lincoln, a retired musician turned record store owner, and proud father to the three King sisters, Lydia (Lisa Berry), Gracie (Faith Wright) and Abigail (Bethany Brown). For the first time since their mother’s death, the three estranged King sisters return home for the holidays. Lincoln hatches a plan with family friend, Genelle (Deborah Joy Winans) to bring his girls back together again this Christmas. Living under the same roof and hearing their father sing joyful Christmas melodies sparks old family memories. Holiday love songs and mistletoe are found around every corner, and the sisters end up finding love in the very town they tried so hard to leave behind. It isn’t long before the sisters face the facts; life’s better when they are together. Romeo Miller also stars.

Also on November 30, the UPtv movie A Prince and Pauper Christmas will debut at 7 PM. When a down-on-his luck confidential informant in a criminal investigation suddenly goes missing, a desperate young federal agent recruits his doppelgänger to play the role. The cast includes Brittany Underwood, Jonathan Stoddard and Tom Arnold.

The Hallmark Channel movies The Finnish Line and The Christmas Quest will both debut on December 1 at 6 and 8 PM respectively. In The Finnish Line, inspired by her father’s acclaimed legacy in dog sled racing, Anya (Kim Matula) decides to follow in his footsteps. After his passing, she heads to Finland to participate in the 40th annual Joulurauha race, her father’s final race where he fell short of the victory. Following an injury to her lead dog during the qualifying race, Anya finds herself partnered with a new canine companion owned by journalist and former racer Cole, (Beau Mirchoff) who aims to pen a story about her journey. Struggling to build trust with her new dog and facing her father’s rival, Anya must navigate many challenges as she strives to win the race. Meanwhile, in The Christmas Quest, an archeologist (Lacey Chabert) and her ex-husband (Kristoffer Polaha), an expert in ancient Norse languages, are sent to Iceland at Christmastime to search for the legendary treasure of the Yule Lads. When others join in the hunt, the pair find themselves swept into a thrilling adventure as they race to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

On December 1, the UPtv holiday movie A Bluegrass Christmas will debut at 7 PM. Katie’s family’s horse sanctuary is on the brink of closure, but in a last-ditch effort to raise the money, Katie must coax her reclusive grandfather, Bluegrass legend Ben Pendleton, back onto the stage for a Christmas benefit concert. The movie stars Amanda Jordan and David Pinard.

The holiday movie Home Sweet Christmas will debut on Great American Family at 8 PM on December 1. Two former childhood friends reunite after a beloved family member passes, leaving the future of his magical maple sugar farm in their hands. Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Mathison co-star.

On December 1, the Lifetime movie Make or Break Christmas will debut at 8 PM. With Christmas fast approaching, Leslie (Vivica A. Fox), known for her expertise in all things domestic and top lifestyle brands, is looking to expand her business. She sets her sights on the bakery, Sugar Bakers, owned by Denise Sugarbaker (Jackée Harry) and run by her son, David (Landon Moss). Determined to make a deal before the end of the year, Leslie sends one of her top employees, Emma (Jasmine Aivaliotis), to go undercover as a seasonal employee in order to convince them to sell. Emma unexpectedly finds herself falling in love with the quaint bakery with its Christmas spirit, staff and especially, David. ‘Tis the Season to make or bake Christmas and discover everything sweet during the holidays, including love. Corin Nemec also stars.

Lastly, the fall finale of Tracker will air on CBS at 9 PM on December 1.