Holiday movies are a weird beast. You’re scrolling through a streaming platform, half-asleep after a long day, and you see a thumbnail of a guy in a tailored suit holding a Santa hat. It’s usually hit or miss, right? But Santa’s Got Style actually managed to carve out a bit of a niche for itself by leaning into the "hot Santa" trope with a wink and a nod. If you’ve watched it, you’ve probably spent half the movie squinting at the screen thinking, "Wait, I know that guy from that one show about the doctors... or was it the detectives?" You aren't alone. The Santa’s Got Style cast is full of those "working actors" who have been in basically everything you’ve binged over the last decade.
Let’s get into the specifics because the casting director for this one actually understood the assignment.
The Man Behind the Beard: Franco Lo Presti as Madison
Honestly, the whole movie hinges on Franco Lo Presti. He plays Madison, a department store executive who decides the only way to save the holiday season is to give Santa a massive glow-up. He ends up posing as the "Stylish Santa" himself. Lo Presti has that classic leading-man look that feels familiar because he’s been a staple in the North American TV movie circuit for a while.
Before he was donning slim-fit red suits, you might have caught him in Letterkenny, which is a total 180 from a cozy Christmas flick. He’s also been in Bad Blood and Jupiter's Legacy. What makes his performance here work—and why people keep searching for the Santa’s Got Style cast long after the credits roll—is that he doesn't play the role too seriously. He knows the premise is a bit ridiculous. He leans into the physical comedy of trying to be "fashionable" while maintaining the spirit of St. Nick. It’s a tough balance. If he’d played it too cool, the movie would’ve felt arrogant; too goofy, and the romance wouldn’t land.
Kathryn Davis and the "Best Friend" Struggle
Then we have Kathryn Davis, who plays Ethan. No, not a guy named Ethan—her character is Ethan, the best friend and business partner who is secretly (or not so secretly) in love with Madison. Davis is the grounding force of the movie. While Madison is running around trying to make Santa "editorial," Ethan is the one actually keeping the business afloat.
Davis has a background that spans from The Boys to Jupiter's Legacy (just like Lo Presti—small world in the Canadian acting scene). She has this very natural, "girl next door but with a mortgage and a deadline" vibe. Her chemistry with Lo Presti is what prevents the movie from becoming a giant commercial for men’s fashion. You actually want them to figure their lives out.
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The Supporting Players That Make the World Feel Real
A holiday movie is only as good as its supporting cast. You need the skeptics, the over-the-top bosses, and the quirky sidekicks.
Scott Thompson plays Mr. Henderson. If that name sounds familiar, it should. Thompson is a comedy legend from The Kids in the Hall. Having him in the Santa’s Got Style cast adds a layer of "meta" humor that most UPtv or Hallmark-adjacent movies lack. He brings a level of prestige and genuine comedic timing that elevates the scenes he’s in. He isn't just a cardboard cutout of a CEO; he’s playing a guy who is genuinely confused by the modern world but willing to go along with it if it makes money.
Then there’s Shaquan Lewis. He plays Nate. Every rom-com needs that one friend who provides the reality check, and Lewis does it with a lot of charm. He’s been seen in things like The Christmas Checklist and Explicitly Yours. He’s part of that reliable rotation of actors who know exactly how to play a supporting role without overshadowing the leads.
Why the Cast Works Better Than the Script
If we’re being real, the plot of a "fashionable Santa" is paper-thin. It’s a gimmick. But the reason this specific group of actors works is that they treat the material with respect. There’s a specific skill set required for holiday movies. You have to be able to deliver lines about "the magic of Christmas" or "brand synergy" without looking like you want to disappear into the floorboards.
The Santa’s Got Style cast handles the transition from corporate office bickering to snowy romantic tension quite well.
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- Franco Lo Presti: Brings the physical presence and the "himbo" energy required for a high-fashion Santa.
- Kathryn Davis: Provides the emotional stakes so the audience actually cares.
- Scott Thompson: Adds the "old school" comedy gravitas.
Where Have You Seen Them Before?
It’s always fun to play the "Six Degrees of Separation" with these actors. Much of the filming took place in Ontario, Canada, which is the hub for these kinds of productions.
- Franco Lo Presti was in From, the sci-fi horror series. Seeing him go from a terrifying town to a bright red suit is a trip.
- Kathryn Davis appeared in A Christmas Exchange. She’s basically a holiday veteran at this point.
- Scott Thompson is, well, a Kid in the Hall. His presence is the biggest surprise for viewers who grew up on 90s sketch comedy.
The Production Behind the Style
The movie was directed by Amy Force. Force has a knack for making these films look more expensive than they actually are. In Santa’s Got Style, the "style" part has to look legitimate. If the costumes looked cheap, the whole plot would fall apart. The cinematography focuses on bright, high-key lighting that makes the actors look their best, which fits the theme of a fashion-forward holiday.
The chemistry between the leads wasn't just luck. Many of these actors have crossed paths in the tight-knit Toronto acting community. When you’ve worked together on a gritty crime drama or a bit-part in a superhero show, doing a Christmas movie feels like a fun summer camp. That comfort translates to the screen.
Practical Insights for the Casual Viewer
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the filmography of the Santa’s Got Style cast, start with their non-holiday work. It’s fascinating to see the range. Franco Lo Presti in Bad Blood is a completely different human being than the one you see here.
Most people watch these movies for the comfort factor. Knowing that the actors are seasoned professionals who have done Shakespeare, sketch comedy, and high-octane drama makes the experience a little more interesting. You aren't just watching a "Santa movie"; you're watching a group of Canadian TV staples having a very good time with a very silly premise.
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To get the most out of your holiday watchlist, pay attention to the character actors in the background. They are often the ones who have the longest resumes and the best stories. The Santa’s Got Style cast is a perfect example of a balanced ensemble that understands the genre's limitations and decides to have fun anyway.
Check out the rest of Franco Lo Presti’s catalog if you want to see him play something a bit darker, or revisit Kids in the Hall to see Scott Thompson in his prime. Either way, this cast proves that you don't need a hundred-million-dollar budget to make a movie that people will talk about every December.
If you want to track down more from these specific actors, your best bet is to look through the credits of recent Canadian-produced series on platforms like CBC or Crave. You’ll find that the "Hot Santa" is actually one of the busiest guys in the industry right now. That's the real magic of the business—sometimes you're a mobster, sometimes you're an elf, and sometimes you're just a guy in a really nice suit trying to save a department store.
Enjoy the movie for what it is: a stylish, slightly ridiculous, and genuinely well-acted slice of holiday cheer.
Next Steps for Holiday Movie Fans:
- Verify the Streaming Platform: Availability for Santa's Got Style often shifts between UPtv, Amazon Prime, and Peacock depending on the season. Check your local listings before planning a watch party.
- Look Up the Director: If you liked the "vibe" of this film, search for other titles by Amy Force; she has a very consistent aesthetic that works well for weekend binge-watching.
- Follow the Cast: Actors like Franco Lo Presti and Kathryn Davis are very active on Instagram and often share "behind the scenes" photos from these holiday sets, which are usually filmed in the middle of a scorching July.