Hallmark Finding Mr. Christmas Season 2: Meet the 10 Contestants

Hallmark is expanding its roster of hunky leading men once again with season 2 of Finding Mr. Christmas — and 10 new contestants are ready to fight for the holiday title.

Hosted by Jonathan Bennett, Hallmark’s reality competition series returns to the network on Monday, October 27. This year, lead judge Melissa Peterman will be back to see which star checks all the tinsel-filled boxes and earns a role in an upcoming “Countdown to Christmas” movie.

Ahead of the season premiere, Us Weekly met all 10 contestants, including models, a former NFL player and aspiring actors, and asked them the tough questions. OK, maybe not tough questions, but we did learn who has what it takes to deck the halls and hang with Hallmark’s already dreamy leading men.

Scroll down to meet the season 2 Finding Mr. Christmas contestants:

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Finding Mr. Christmas premieres on Hallmark Channel Monday, October 27, at 8 p.m. ET. Season 1 is streaming on Hallmark+.

Rustin Sailors

Biggest Hallmark Leading Man Trait

“Joy. I think I carry a lot of joy. I just love people. I love life,” Rustin exclusively told Us. “I’m a constant student of life. I think we’re really all just here to enjoy getting to know each other and having meaningful, beautiful interactions where we get to learn more about ourselves, and more about each other, and that creates a lot of joy for me. So I like to spread that around. I think everyone else is feeling that as well.”

Dream Hallmark Costar

Rustin confessed to not having a “dream” costar, telling Us, “I’m so excited to see how I build chemistry with different costars. … It’ll be a cool experience to see who I get to make some magic with.”

Why Should He Be the Next Mr. Christmas?

“Oh, it’s me. I mean, there’s no other way around this,” Rustin boasted. “I love everyone else, and they’re all going to have a blast. But I’m here to win it. I’m Mr. Christmas. My wife, when the [holiday] season starts to come around, she’s like, ‘Christmas Rustin is coming out!’ I’m a huge holiday fan. I get really spirited about the whole thing.”

Robbie Simpson

Biggest Hallmark Leading Man Trait

“I think something that’s so important for Hallmark, and that Hallmark does really well, is comedy and being able to bring your personality and your sense of humor to the material. I think it’s a great way to talk about some more difficult topics in life and make it more palatable,” Robbie explained to Us. “Hopefully viewers at home can then have those conversations with their friends and their family. And if you were to talk to my friends or my family, they know that I’m always cracking jokes, I’m always making people laugh. And so I want to bring that part of myself to the competition and make viewers at home feel relaxed and make them laugh with their families as they continue the Hallmark traditions this year.”

Dream Hallmark Costar

Robbie exclusively told Us that Hunter King and Finding Mr. Christmas host Bennett would be his dream Hallmark counterparts.

“I just watched the Holiday Touchdown: [A Chiefs Love Story] and Hunter, in the film, she is incredible. She’s an incredible actor that has proven for so long her versatility in this business,” he gushed. “So I would love to do a film with her in any capacity. I just feel like we both have the same sense of humor and acting style, and she just seems like a really wonderful person.”

When it comes to possibly working with Bennett, Robbie said it would be so “cool.” The contestant explained that Bennett has been an “inspiration for me in this business, yes, as an actor, but also as a human being and the values that he has and that he stands for, and I just think it’s incredible what he’s doing at Hallmark and feel honored that I get to be here and learn from him.”

Why Should He Be the Next Mr. Christmas?

“I feel like I’ve been preparing for this my whole life,” Robbie said. “I have trained so hard as an actor, in college and then in graduate school, and I’ve done work in theater, but then also on camera for some streaming platforms and soap operas. So, I feel like this is all leading to this moment.”

He noted that another “advantage” for him is that he’s “a Hallmark fan” and has been watching the rom-coms “for so long” with his loved ones. “They instill an incredible sense of joy and values and [are] really a huge part of pop culture right now, which I’m also a fan of,” Robbie added.

Related: Hallmark Star Jonathan Bennett Admits He Doesn’t Decorate for Christmas

Jonathan Bennett is considered a part of Hallmark Channels’ Christmas royalty but at home he’s a bit of a grinch. Still, he swears there’s a good reason for his lack of holiday spirit. “I’m going to be honest, I don’t decorate for Christmas,” Bennett, 43, exclusively confessed to Us Weekly while promoting Hallmark+’s Finding Mr. […]

Marcus Brodie

Biggest Hallmark Leading Man Trait

“I would say kindness, just being kind. I feel like a leading man needs to be kind to everybody. He needs to be somebody that people can look up to, that people want to strive to be like,” Marcus shared with Us. “So I think that’s really important in a leading man, just being kind to everybody, because everybody likes to be kind and have people be kind to them.”

Dream Hallmark Costar

“I want to be [paired] with Jonathan. I mean, why not Jonathan Bennett? He’s the host of the show. Why would I not want to do a Hallmark movie with him?” he revealed. “It would be so cool being like best friends, or, I don’t know, old college buddies. I feel like that’d be so much fun. He’s got a great energy to him.”

Why Should He Be the Next Mr. Christmas?

“I think I should be the next Finding Mr. Christmas because I can bring all the traits that Finding Mr. Christmas needs,” Marcus said. “The kindness, the emotional aspect — I don’t want to say look, but there’s somewhat of the look of a Mr. Christmas — all those type of things, but really the emotional, the kindness, seeing somebody that you can relate to, I feel like [are] all things that I can bring to the screen.”

Logan Shephard

Biggest Hallmark Leading Man Trait

“Oh, definitely, the ability to kind of talk to anybody, or create a connection with anybody,” Logan gushed.

Dream Hallmark Costar

“I think Lacey Chabert would probably be my No. 1,” Logan exclusively told Us of one of Hallmark’s queens of Christmas. “She’s such an iconic character that has now been kind of brought back to, or like has shown so much [diversity]. And I think it would just be awesome to be able to have screen time with her.”

Why Should He Be the Next Mr. Christmas?

“I kind of check off every box along with anything that has to do with Hallmark-related or holiday in general,” he said, noting that he enjoys “decorations, baking, music” related to the holiday season as well as “sewing and knitting and [the] comfort [of] a warm environment.”

Jake Schume

Biggest Hallmark Leading Man Trait

“Probably just the energy. Just bringing that energy and being upbeat and just kind of like leading the way with that,” Jake revealed to Us. “That’s kind of how I’ve lived my life, just kind of, you know, glass half full and just bringing that positive energy.”

Dream Hallmark Costar

Jake pointed to Tyler Hynes as his dream collaborator, noting that how the actor “presents himself” including his “facial expressions” is impressive.

“This is a whole new world to me,” he confessed. “I’m still trying to learn a lot more [about] the stars and this and that, but he’s selling that [Hallmark style]. Anyone I get to work with it’s going to be exciting and fun.”

Why Should He Be the Next Mr. Christmas?

“I do have those characteristics of confidence, being a leader, the energy [you need] and I hold myself together really well,” Jake said of why he’s the ideal pick to win the show. “I’m always looking for the challenge and the next opportunity to better myself. This is kind of like a perfect opportunity to do that.”

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Gabriel Thaxton

Biggest Hallmark Leading Man Trait

“I’m a very friendly guy, so I’ll talk to anyone on the street,” Gabriel revealed. “I just feel like I have that Hallmark life when it comes to just going about my day, just being a happy guy. I have a kind energy, I’ve been told.”

Dream Hallmark Costar

“I watched [2024’s] Happy Howlidays after hearing about this show, and I watched 90210 when I was a kid. So, I had a really big crush on Jessica Lowndes, so I would love to work with her,” the contestant exclusively told Us. “Of course, I think she’s awesome, and she was really good in that movie as well.”

Why Should He Be the Next Mr. Christmas?

“I just think that I bring to the table the traits that a traditional Hallmark man would bring. I’m a family man. I’m very friendly, kind and I care about other people, and I think that’s pretty much what every Hallmark man has been,” he shared.

Davey Fisher

Biggest Hallmark Leading Man Trait

“I think relatability. If you’re a model, people probably think your life is overly glamorous and you’re vain and all these things, but I feel like I’m still the same guy, the same kid who grew up in Gardnerville, Nevada,” Davey said, referring to his pre-Hallmark career. “I don’t think it’s a stretch for me to be that main character. I don’t have to fake it very hard.”

He added that being “genuine” and “down-to-earth” are top traits to becoming a Hallmark lead.

Davey confessed, “I’m probably not the best actor here. There are other models. I’m not going to be the best looking. There are a lot of guys with impressive resumes that are going to be equally as deserving. So, I’m going to do my best and just kind of focus on what I can control, and hopefully the rest will take care of itself.”

Dream Hallmark Costar

Davey didn’t choose any former Hallmark actresses as his dream counterpart for a network rom-com. Instead, he listed Jessica Biel as an “all timer” and Jennifer Aniston as his top picks.

“She’s a little bit older than me, but that was always growing up like, I think, that North Star. That one female actress that I was always into,” he said of the Friends alum.

Why Should He Be the Next Mr. Christmas?

“I feel deep down that I’m meant to be here. It sounds super cliché, but I’ve had this, like, weird crossroads where I’ve been kind of searching for something more in my life the last year or so where I’m kind of reaching this stagnation,” Davey revealed. “I love what I’m able to do for work. It’s the ultimate dream to be a model, and I’m a personal trainer as well, and I’ve been doing that for 13 years.”

While he called his life “amazing,” Davey told Us that “something” was “missing” and so when Finding Mr. Christmas came calling, he “knew this was the shot.”

Drake Kuyper

Biggest Hallmark Leading Man Trait

“I think I can have main character energy sometimes, and I feel like that’s something you really need in a Hallmark movie. So hopefully I can just transfer that out and make it show up on camera,” Drake shared with Us, noting that “main character energy” means having “confidence, leading with love” and “having a lot of passion and love in your heart.”

Dream Hallmark Costar

“Honestly, I think it’s just gonna be one that I really connect with. I don’t even have a specific one in mind,” he said when asked about Hallmark’s current talent lineup. “It’s just one that we can really make the sparks fly on camera and just do so well together.”

Why Should He Be the Next Mr. Christmas?

Drake reiterated that his “main character energy” would make him the ideal Mr. Christmas. “I have a lot of energy in general. I have a big heart, and I think that I’m just going to be able to really do a great job on camera,” he added.

Related: A Guide to Hallmark Channel’s Leading Men

Over the years, Hallmark Channel has cemented itself as the go-to network for feel-good films, holiday magic and a handsome lineup of leading men. Whether it’s the charmers from When Calls the Heart — including Kevin McGarry and Chris McNally — or the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries franchise heroes, fans always have eye candy to […]

Craig Geoghan

Biggest Hallmark Leading Man Trait

“I’m really good at making people feel warm and welcomed. I think if I’m in a room, not to toot my own horn here, but I feel like I can kind of command the room,” Craig revealed. “Or have a strong presence to where people might look at me as a leader, but in [a] manner that isn’t reprimanding or aggressive. I think I make everybody feel pretty comfortable.”

Dream Hallmark Costar

Craig chose Chabert as his dream costar, calling the Mean Girls star “the Hallmark girl.” He added, “Why not act alongside one of the GOATs, you know, the greatest of all time, one of the best Hallmark girls to ever do it. I think that would be really cool.”

He noted, “I’ve been a fan of her back when I was a bit younger. She was probably around my age as well, so kind of growing up with her. I think that’d be cool.”

Why Should He Be the Next Mr. Christmas?

“I’ve worked really freaking hard to get to this point. I’ve been acting a while now, and I’ve landed some really cool roles, worked with some really cool people, been to some cool places, but I think I fit the bill to be a Hallmark guy,” he explained. “I think I kind of always have. And now I have that opportunity, so I’m trying to bang that door down and show the world what I got love.”

Angel Garet

Biggest Hallmark Leading Man Trait

“One trait that I carry as a leading man is my heart. I’ve been told that I carry my heart on my sleeve [and I’m an] emotional empath,” Angel said. “I just feel like that’s a good thing to bring on board to this competition.”

Dream Hallmark Costar

Angel told Us that he doesn’t have a “specific dream costar.” Instead, he’s “open” to working with veterans from the network or newbies.

“If they have the experience, I will learn so much from them and try to connect as much [as possible],” he continued. “And if they’re new, I’ll give them as much of my experience and have them have a wonderful time on set and be confident and just comfortable.”

Why Should He Be the Next Mr. Christmas?

“I believe I should be the next Mr. Christmas because of my background. I’m Latino. I feel there’s not that many Latinos [that are] leading man, and it’s something I should I am meant to do,” Angel revealed. “I want to be a leading man and bring the spiciness and the Latin flavor to Hallmark.”