Tabitha Brown Joins Lil Rel Howery for ‘Unexpected Christ…
Tabitha Brown is heading to theaters with Lil Rel Howery for a new holiday comedy, Unexpected Christmas.
According to Variety, the pair will star in and executive produce the film, which is slated for a theatrical release on November 7.
Announcing the project, Brown said, “Christmas movies are literally the gift that keeps on giving,” adding that Unexpected Christmas “is relatable and hilarious, but will truly be a gift for all families this holiday season!” Howery added, “This movie and this cast are so special and will be the holiday movie everyone will be talking about.”
Written by Cassandra Mann and directed by Michael Vaughn Hernandez, the film centers on the Scott family’s holiday reunion. DomiNque Perry plays Melissa, who returns home after a breakup—then runs straight into more drama.
Her ex, Richard (Howery), shows up at the same celebration with her estranged stepsister, Kerry, played by Reagan Gomez-Preston.
Trying to keep her cool, she invites a surprise guest of her own “who has everyone talking,” while Kerry “is cooking up a scheme that could ruin the whole celebration,” according to the official synopsis.
Audiences can expect “a few romantic mix-ups, old rivalries, [and] plenty of family secrets,” along with “love, laughter and a little bit of chaos around every corner.”
Alongside Brown and Howery, the ensemble includes Anna Maria Horsford, Terrence Terrell, Trell Woodberry, Howie Bell, Cece Friday, Ricco Ross, and recording artist Koryn Hawthorne.
Behind the camera, production comes from 3 Diamonds Entertainment’sWoodberry and Phil Thornton, along with Perri Camper. Brown and Howery serve as executive producers with Norman Gyamfi.
Thornton and Woodberry—who are producing and co-distributing the film with Eammon Films—said in a joint statement, “We’re proud to bring Unexpected Christmas to audiences this November — a true labor of love from our amazing cast and crew. As a Black-owned company, we’re honored to share a story that celebrates our voices, artistry, and impact on the global stage.”