Gay Actor Jonathan Bennett Brings Heartwarming Love Stories to Hallmark

As of November 9th, 2025, actor Jonathan Bennett has been bringing heartwarming, nuanced LGBTQ+ love stories to Hallmark Channel for the past few years. In his latest role in A Keller Christmas Vacation, Bennett plays Dylan, who joins his family on a holiday river cruise in Europe. Just before the trip, Dylan proposes to his longtime boyfriend, only to receive an unexpected "not right now" response.

Bennett, 44, is intentional about his work, stating his responsibility to ensure the storylines are so compelling that viewers cannot deny them. He wants to showcase that LGBTQ+ love is no different from anyone else's, hoping to reach audiences who may not normally watch such films. This approach has been evident in his previous Hallmark movies, including The Christmas House, The Holiday Sitter, and the Groomsmen trilogy.

Brandon Routh, 46, and Eden Sher, 33, who co-star in A Keller Christmas Vacation, praise Bennett's efforts to move society forward by telling inclusive, human stories. They note how the film seamlessly integrates Dylan's relationship struggles with the broader family dynamics, without singling out the LGBTQ+ storyline.