Exclusive Interview: Jonathan Bennett and Brandon Routh on ‘A Keller Christmas Vacation’ and What Makes a Holiday Classic

There’s no shortage of festive cheer (or family drama) in Hallmark’s A Keller Christmas Vacation. Jonathan Bennett and Brandon Routh lead the charge, bringing warmth, wit, and just the right dose of sibling chaos to the network’s latest holiday adventure. Their on-screen dynamic feels effortless—rooted in twenty years of real-life friendship—and together, they deliver the kind of laughter, love, and heart that make for a holiday classic in the making.

This season, Christmas looks a little different for the Keller family. Parents Anne and Ben surprise their three adult children—Cal, Dylan, and Emory—with a river cruise down the Danube, from Germany through Salzburg to Vienna, complete with twinkling markets and snow-covered towns. The only hitch? The siblings couldn’t be more different, and the thought of ten days trapped on a ship together is enough to make anyone want to jump overboard. But as the journey unfolds, the family rediscovers what truly matters through missed connections, new friendships, budding romances, and one secret that brings them closer than ever before—just in time for Christmas.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Jonathan Bennett and Brandon Routh to chat about A Keller Christmas Vacation, the mark of a holiday classic, and how brotherhood—both on and off screen—became the heart of this story.

PC: Jonathan, you’re undoubtedly the king of Hallmark. You’ve got Season 2 of Finding Mr. Christmas and this film—a story you created with your own family in mind. In past interviews, you’ve talked about the qualities it takes to be a leading man for Hallmark. But what qualities are needed to create what I believe will be a holiday classic and a staple of the network?
Jonathan: Great question. It comes down to relatability. What’s going to make A Keller Christmas Vacation an instant holiday classic and a network staple is that, unlike some other Hallmark Christmas movies, we show the chaos and dysfunction between the siblings. We don’t often see that—and certainly not taken this far. The movie really dials up that familiar sibling rivalry every family has, especially during the holidays, and lets it fly.

I think so many families will watch it and say, “Oh my gosh, that’s me. That’s Susie. That’s Tom.” You can see your own family in this family.

That’s why the Griswolds in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation work so well—they’re America’s family. They sound and look like America’s family.

PC: Definitely. You’re going to see yourself reflected in these characters. It’s one of those films that’ll make you laugh, cry, and feel inspired. Brandon, speaking of that sibling dynamic—these projects film on such a tight schedule. You and Jonathan are longtime friends. How did that offscreen bond shape the brotherhood we see on screen? And what was it about this character that resonated with you most?
Brandon: Knowing Jonathan’s energy—and imagining what his character might be like—I could already picture how we’d interact.

It was the same with Eden [Sher]. I didn’t know her personally, but I knew her work and her talent—she came ready to play.

The passion everyone brought was huge because when you don’t have much time—or even a chair to sit on—it really becomes about the love of the game. We were all invested in making something great. Jonathan did such an incredible job shaping the script and being the captain of the ship, so even with limited takes, we could trust the process.

That comes from professionalism and experience. When you’ve been doing this a while, you’ve got tricks up your sleeve that save time—something newer actors might not have yet.

Jonathan: There was also a real sense of safety between Brandon and me. That’s why our brotherhood works so well—we’ve known each other for over twenty years, and there’s genuine love there. That created instant trust on set. I remember one scene where I told him, “You can do anything to me. If you think it’s funny, go for it. Surprise me.” So he flicked my ear—and most actors wouldn’t have that level of comfort—but I was like, “Try me, Brandon.” There was no bar. The bar was on the floor. And he did it. That freedom is what made everything gel so naturally.

PC: As an audience member, you really feel that trust between the entire ensemble. Jonathan, part of your character’s journey is about purpose and finding inspiration. When you’re bringing an idea to the table with Hallmark, what are the things that inspire you and keep you creatively fulfilled?
Jonathan: I stand by the B.B.D. rule: I’ll never do a movie or TV show at Hallmark unless it’s bigger, better, or different. It has to check one of those boxes. I have no interest in doing a classic A-plus-B-equals-C kind of movie—even though those films are great. They’re the backbone of the network and the reason Hallmark can do what it does. But I’ve always wanted to take that backbone and ask, “How can I twist it? How can I add a layer we’ve never seen before—while keeping it in that Hallmark zone?” That’s the thrill and the challenge for me.

Make sure to follow Jonathan (Instagram) and Brandon (Instagram). A Keller Christmas Vacation premieres on November 9th at 8/7 on Hallmark. Stream it the next day on Hallmark+.

Photo Credit: Pooya Nabei // Hallmark