Currently filming in Canada, “An Accidental Arctic Christmas” is just one of several movies set to premiere later this year as part of Great American Family’s Great American Christmas programming block.
Starring in the project are Cameron Mathison (“General Hospital”) and Jill Wagner (“Lioness”), who are reuniting after most recently starring together in “A Merry Christmas Wish” for the network run by Bill Abbott, President & CEO of Great American Media, parent of Great American Family and its companion streaming service Great American Pure Flix, among other platforms.
“An Accidental Arctic Christmas” follows single dad Jim (Mathison), a former major league baseball player turned broadcaster, and his spirited, science-minded 20-year-old daughter, Isla (Maya Rose Skabar), who share a tradition of alternating who decides how they spend Christmas each year. While Jim never misses hosting his annual Christmas Eve show from Times Square, Isla persuades him to take a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic cruise, promising they will return in time for his broadcast.
When a timing mix-up leaves them stranded in an arctic town after their ship departs without them, their carefully planned holiday quickly turns into an unforgettable adventure. With no planes, trains, or automobiles available, they must rely on wildlife conservationist Jane (Wagner) and her rugged tundra buggy to navigate the frozen wilderness. As they journey through the awe-inspiring Arctic — from the glow of the Aurora Borealis to the famed Polar Bear Capital of the World — Isla embraces nature’s glory, Jim wrestles with letting go of control, and Jane brings heart and charm to the path forward.
On Wednesday, April 1, Mathison teased the news about the film and pondered to fans about his co-star in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“This year’s Great American Christmas represents a maturation of our business and the highest level of talent and storytelling we have ever brought to the screen,” said Abbott of this year’s lineup of Christmas movies. “From beloved stars to richly layered stories, every film reflects our commitment to creative excellence. Our success as a business in the five years since launch has allowed us to reinvest in content that will yield our most compelling and complete Christmas slate to date and will be a true celebration of the reason for the season.”
Written by Robin Dunne and Arcade Riley, “An Accidental Arctic Christgmas” is a Magic Motion Media production in association with CandyRock Entertainment. Candace Cameron Bure is executive producer along with Jeffery Brooks, Ford Englerth, Tim Owens, Eric Jarboe, Holly A. Hines and Robin Dunne. Caitlin Delaney serves as producer. Michael Shepard, Justin Kelly and Pino Halili serve as supervising producers, along with Kathy Ceroni and Laurie Singleton as associate producers.
Mathison will also star opposite Bure in another holiday film lined up at Great American Family for 2026, this one titled “Home Sweet Anniversary,” which will be the third film in the “Home Sweet” franchise and a sequel to last year’s successful theatrical film, “Another Sweet Christmas.”