You know that feeling when you're halfway through a holiday movie, curled up with a massive mug of cocoa, and you point at the screen because you swear you've seen the lead actress somewhere before? That happens constantly with the cast of A Christmas Switch. It’s one of those UP TV movies that feels like a warm blanket, but the faces are actually more recognizable than your average low-budget festive flick.
Honestly, the "body swap" trope is older than the fruitcake in the back of your pantry. We’ve seen it in Freaky Friday, The Princess Switch, and a dozen others. But this 2018 movie works because of the specific chemistry between the leads. Jackie Seiden and Ashley Wood aren't just playing roles; they're playing each other, which is a weirdly difficult acting challenge that most people underestimate.
The Core Duo: Jackie Seiden and Ashley Wood
Let’s talk about Jackie Seiden first. She plays Audrey Bennett. Audrey is your classic, high-strung "I have too much on my plate" mom who just wants the perfect Christmas for her family. If Seiden looks familiar, it’s probably because she’s a bit of a chameleon. She’s been in Jersey Boys (the Clint Eastwood version) and had spots on big shows like The Mindy Project.
Then you have Julia, played by Ashley Wood. Julia is the polar opposite—a record executive who is basically the definition of "all work and no play." Wood has this polished, slightly cold energy at the start of the movie that makes the eventual swap really land. You might recognize her from The Young and the Restless, where she played Heather Stevens. Soap opera actors are actually great for these types of movies because they know how to handle high-stakes emotion without it feeling goofy.
The movie kicks off when these two literally run into each other at a mall. It’s a classic "I wish I had your life" moment. Next thing they know, they wake up in the wrong bed, in the wrong house, with the wrong family. It's chaotic. It's messy. It’s exactly what you want from a December afternoon watch.
The Husbands Who Are Just Trying Their Best
Every holiday swap movie needs the confused but well-meaning husbands. In the cast of A Christmas Switch, those roles fall to Oonkoo Ituang (who plays Eddie) and Houston Rhines (who plays Patrick).
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Houston Rhines is a veteran of the TV movie circuit. If you watch Lifetime or Hallmark, you've definitely seen his face. He has that "reliable guy next door" look that makes the romantic tension work even when his wife is technically a different person inside. He’s been in things like A Wedding to Die For and The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
The interesting thing about the husband characters in this specific movie is how they react to the personality shifts. Usually, in these films, the guys are oblivious for way too long. Here, they catch on that something is "off" pretty quickly, even if they can't jump to the conclusion of "supernatural soul migration."
Why the Supporting Cast Matters
You can't have a Christmas movie without a kid who just wants their parents to be happy. Cleary, played by Oonkoo Ituang’s character’s daughter, adds that layer of "oh no, I'm going to ruin this child's life" stakes.
The supporting cast also includes names like John Welch and Annie Abbott. Abbott is a character actress staple. She’s been around forever—think Father of the Bride and The Help. Having someone with her gravitas in a small role helps ground the silliness. It’s the difference between a movie that feels like a high school play and one that feels like a professional production.
Breaking Down the Full Cast List
If you're looking for a specific name to win a trivia bet, here's the breakdown of the primary players:
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- Jackie Seiden as Audrey Bennett: The overwhelmed mom who finds her voice.
- Ashley Wood as Julia: The career-driven executive who learns to slow down.
- Houston Rhines as Patrick: Audrey's husband who wonders why his wife is suddenly a shark in the boardroom.
- Oonkoo Ituang as Eddie: Julia's partner who is confused by her newfound domestic skills.
- Annie Abbott as Grandma: The secret weapon of the emotional scenes.
What People Get Wrong About the Body Swap
A lot of critics dismiss movies like this as "Hallmark clones." First off, it’s an UP TV original, not Hallmark. Subtle difference, but the "vibe" is slightly more focused on personal growth than just pure romance.
The biggest misconception is that the actors are just playing "the other person." In reality, they are playing their character trying to impersonate the other person. It’s a meta-layer of acting. Jackie Seiden has to act like Audrey, who is desperately pretending to be a cold-hearted record exec. If she plays it too cool, we lose the humor. If she plays it too panicked, the plot can't move forward.
The Production Quality and Background
Directed by Brian Herzlinger, the movie has a decent pedigree. Herzlinger is actually the guy who directed the documentary My Date with Drew, which was a huge indie hit back in the day. He knows how to pace a story.
The filming didn't happen in some snowy North Pole village; it was mostly filmed in California. This is a common "secret" of holiday movies. That snow you see? Probably soap flakes or white felt. The actors are often sweating in those heavy wool sweaters because it's 80 degrees outside during filming. Knowing that makes their performances even more impressive. They are selling "winter wonderland" while they're actually in the middle of a heatwave.
Why We Still Watch This Stuff
Honestly, life is stressful. The cast of A Christmas Switch provides exactly what we need: a world where problems are solved in 90 minutes (plus commercials).
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There's something deeply satisfying about seeing someone walk in someone else's shoes. It’s the ultimate empathy exercise. Julia realizes that being a stay-at-home mom isn't just baking cookies—it’s a logistical nightmare. Audrey realizes that being a high-powered boss isn't just about giving orders—it’s about the crushing pressure of being responsible for other people's careers.
Your Next Steps for a Holiday Movie Marathon
If you enjoyed the cast in this one, you don't have to stop here. Most of these actors have a whole library of similar content that's perfect for background noise while you wrap gifts.
- Look up Houston Rhines on IMDb. He has at least five other Christmas movies that hit the same sweet spot.
- Check out UP TV’s "My Christmas" app. They usually have the full schedule of when this specific movie re-airs, because it’s a fan favorite that gets a lot of play in the "24-hour Christmas" blocks.
- Compare it to The Princess Switch. If you want to see how a bigger budget (Netflix) handles the same trope, watch them back-to-back. You’ll notice that A Christmas Switch actually feels a bit more grounded and relatable because the characters aren't royalty—they’re just normal people.
The real magic isn't the body swap itself. It's the way the actors make you believe that, for a few days in December, anything is possible—even becoming a completely different person to save your family’s holiday spirit.
Go ahead and give it a re-watch. Keep an eye on the background actors, too; you'll see a lot of familiar faces from the LA commercial circuit. It’s a small world in holiday TV production. Enjoy the cozy vibes.