'A Baby for Christmas' to Premiere December 13 on UP, Stars Malinda Williams, Victoria Rowell, Karon Riley, Kristoff St. John

Former Y&R co-stars Kristoff St .John and Victoria Rowell
worked together last year in Marry Us for Christmas.

Production began this week in Atlanta on the UP Original Movie A Baby for Christmas, a romantic comedy starring Malinda Williams (Soul Food) and Victoria Rowell (The Young and the Restless) and Karon Riley (35 and Ticking). Building on the popularity the Marry Me for Christmas movie franchise, A Baby for Christmas will premiere on Sunday, December 13 at 7 p.m. ET as part of UP's "Everything you Love About Christmas" annual Christmas programming slate.

The film reunites the ensemble cast which includes GregAlan Williams (Necessary Roughness), Chrystale Wilson (For Richer or Poorer), DeEtta West (Lyfe’s Journey) Clifton Powell (Ray) and Kristoff St. John (20 Ft Below: The Darkness Descending), Rowell’s long-time The Young and the Restless co-star.

A Baby for Christmas is produced by Atlanta-based Swirl Films from a script by Rhonda Freeman-Baraka, who will make her directorial debut.

This Christmas, the Chandler family, much to Stephanie's (Victoria Rowell) dismay, seem to be distracted from the usual family holiday traditions. Marci (Malinda Williams) and Blair (Karon Riley), who tied the knot in last year’s Marry US For Christmas, are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child due on Christmas day. The couple is doing everything in their power to ensure that they have the perfect baby girl - from meditation to changing their eating habits. Work-wise, Marci is trying to juggle impending motherhood with meeting the demands of her top client, Friendly Family Floral. Blair is back to running his own firm. Money is tight but he and Marci are happy and eagerly awaiting the arrival of their little bundle of joy. Meanwhile, Marci’s Aunt Myra (DeEtta West) and Uncle Donald (GregAlan Williams), who recently retired, are feeling useless. Eventually they find a meaningful way to occupy their time at the urging of Donald’s cousin, Gavin Brooks (Clifton Powell). Aunt Elizabeth (Chrystale Wilson) is obsessed with getting a promotion at work. Add to the mix, Stephanie’s blooming romance with Lawrence (Kristoff St. John) – who is torn between being with her or continuing his mission work. It appears the Chandler’s have abandoned their Christmas traditions and lost the spirit of Christmas. That is, until a group of kids at an orphanage helps the family to realize there is more to Christmas than wrapping gifts and baking cookies.

“It’s a joy to bring the heart-warming Chandler family back this year with another magical story about love, family and Christmas,” said Barbara Fisher, svp, original programming, UP. “The chemistry between this talented ensemble cast brilliantly shines in a story packed with wonderful funny moments as the Chandler family deals with a frenetic Christmas season. The third in this beloved series of films will be one of the many highlights of our ‘Everything You Love About Christmas’ programming.”

“Some of the best times I’ve ever had on a movie set have been with the cast of the UP’s Marry Me for Christmas franchise,” said Baraka. “Making my directorial debut with the third installment of this series and directing what I sincerely believe to be one of the best casts to ever appear on TV is beyond exciting! Can’t wait to see the magic unfold — again!"

UP’s Marry Me for Christmas franchise includes Marry Me for Christmas and Marry US for Christmas, both of which set premiere ratings milestones for the network. Both premieres ranked in the top 10 among all ad-supported cable networks in key African American demos for the time period.