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And then there were three… very, very good-looking fellas vying to become the next Hallmark leading man on Finding Mr. Christmas.
On the season finale on Monday, Dec. 15, a winner of the reality competition series will be named — and either Angel Garet, Craig Geoghan or Rustin Sailors will be cast in an upcoming Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.
Host and co-creator Jonathan Bennett has spent the past eight weeks guiding the 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like Hunter King, Sharon Lawrence, Alison Sweeney and Ashley Williams. Along the way, they developed their skills — and a bond with one another.
Kim Nunneley/Hallmark Media
In the emotional finale, they’ll face one last acting challenge — an action-packed scene alongside co-host Melissa Peterman and Hallmark stars Kristoffer Polaha and Erin Krakow.
Here, Bennett, 44, talks to PEOPLE at Christmas Con in New Jersey and breaks down the strengths of each remaining contestant and the star qualities they have that could make them season 2’s Mr. Christmas.
Kim Nunneley/Hallmark Media
Angel Garet
The 39-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, was born and raised in Venezuela and describes himself as an actor, model, bartender and producer. In April on the set of the show, Angel told PEOPLE he wants to be Mr. Christmas because, “I can inspire other young Hispanics, Latinos. It will take my career to the next level, and it will mean the world to me to just create wonderful stories and bring characters to life and be part of a magical channel like Hallmark.”
Why He Made the Finale: “I don’t think there’s anyone more romantic than Angel,” says Bennett. “He has this inherent flirtation to him that makes him a very good Hallmark leading man. Our movies are all based in romance, and he brings this spiciness to the romance that I think is a little bit exciting and thrilling to watch. There’s a thing that’s a little dangerous about him that I think the audience would really respond to.”
His Breakthrough Moment: “When Angel did the emotional scene with Sharon Lawrence, it really solidified his place in the competition. He was always really good, but he leaned on his charming, flirtatious quality that he has. And in the mom scene, there was no flirtation, just grounded emotion. And that’s when he broke through for me.”
His Ideal Role: “I could picture Angel doing a movie in some amazing, sexy, tropical climate where he’s the guy that the girl goes there on vacation and meets. I think there’s a great kind of love story there, like forbidden fruit, that would make Angel really tasty.”
Kim Nunneley/Hallmark Media
Craig Geoghan
The 33-year-old actor is from Long Island, New York and admitted to PEOPLE he’s been “knocking on Hallmark’s door for a minute now. I’ve auditioned, and it didn’t work out in my favor.”
Why He Made the Finale: “Craig is the king of comedy,” Bennett says. “He is just inherently funny, and he knows how to deliver jokes, and he is the king of an ad lib. And he also, throughout the season, has been willing to take the most risks of anyone in every challenge. Craig understands the assignment.”
His Breakthrough Moment: “In the group scene when he was with Hunter King and everyone, he had this amazing moment where you just see him come out of a shell and start to shine with comedy. He was making me laugh so hard. And that’s the moment I realized he could be a contender for Mr. Christmas.”
His Ideal Role: “I think Craig could be the long-lost Brenner brother [from the Three Wise Men franchise]. He would meld really well with your Tyler Hynes and your Andrew Walkers and your Paul Campbells and my [Groomsmen] world with B.J. Britt. He would fit into that rom-com world.”
Kim Nunneley/Hallmark Media
Rustin Sailors
The 38-year-old from San Diego, Calif., describes himself as an actor, singer, musician and EMT. He told PEOPLE he wanted to compete on Finding Mr. Christmas because “they actually cultivated that camaraderie and guys being able to be loving towards each other instead of being pitted against each other.”
Why He Made the Finale: “Rustin is extremely trained,” Bennett says. “He knows what he’s doing as an actor, and his acting ability is so natural and grounded more than anyone we’ve seen on any season. He has this natural kind of groundedness to his acting that when he’s on his mark, you know he’s going to deliver, and he’s got this presence on camera that’s just very comfortable.”
His Breakthrough Moment: “When Rustin was on the horse in episode 3, there was no denying that he is a movie star.”
His Ideal Role: “Rustin is a cowboy,” Bennett says. “I could picture him doing movies like A Royal Montana Christmas, which just came out, those type of roles where you need the strong kind of silent type. He’s really good at that.”
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The season 2 finale of Finding Mr. Christmas airs Monday, Dec. 15, at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel.
