You know that feeling when you're scrolling through the Hallmark Channel or Lifetime during a snowstorm and a movie title just sticks? Girlfriends of Christmas Past is one of those titles. It sounds like a spin on Dickens, but it's actually a revenge-comedy-meets-romance flick that has stayed surprisingly relevant in the holiday rotation since it first aired in 2016. Honestly, the main reason people keep looking it up isn't just the plot—it’s the actors.
The cast of Girlfriends of Christmas Past is a weirdly perfect snapshot of mid-2010s TV royalty. You have faces from Step Up, The Vampire Diaries, and even Glee. It’s a bit of a time capsule.
Livvy, the protagonist, is played by Tammin Sursok. Most of us know her as the terrifyingly mysterious Jenna Marshall from Pretty Little Liars. Seeing her transition from a blind, flute-playing villain to a bubbly, slightly heartbroken marketing whiz in a Christmas sweater is... well, it's a trip. She’s the anchor of the movie.
The Core Trio of the Cast of Girlfriends of Christmas Past
The premise is simple but kind of chaotic. Livvy gets dumped right before the holidays. Instead of crying into a tub of peppermint bark, she teams up with two other ex-girlfriends to get a little payback.
Tammin Sursok brings a high-energy, neurotic charm to Livvy. She isn't just playing a "girl next door." She plays someone who is genuinely smart but professionally blindsided. Then you have Lindsey McKeon, who plays Murphy. If you were a fan of One Tree Hill (she was Taylor James) or Supernatural (she was Tessa the Reaper), you’ll recognize her immediately. Murphy is the "tough" one of the group, providing that necessary edge to balance out the holiday fluff.
The third member of this vengeful sisterhood is Zoe, played by Meagan Holder. Meagan is a pro at this. You might have seen her in Pitch or Born Again Virgin. In this film, she plays the more grounded, sensible friend who still gets sucked into the madness. The chemistry between these three women is actually the best part of the movie. It doesn't feel like a forced "female empowerment" script written by a robot; it feels like three people who have all been burned by the same mediocre man.
And that man? That’s Anderson.
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Chris Carmack plays the guy who broke all their hearts. Long before he was Link on Grey’s Anatomy or the "Welcome to the OC, pal" guy, Chris Carmack was the quintessential handsome-but-clueless love interest. He plays Anderson with just enough charm that you understand why they liked him, but enough selfishness that you’re totally okay with them ruining his life for ninety minutes.
Why the Supporting Actors Look So Familiar
Holiday movies live or die by their supporting cast. If the side characters are boring, the whole thing feels like a long commercial for garland.
Brando Eaton as Tyler.
Tyler is the "other" guy. The one who is actually good for Livvy. Brando Eaton is one of those "Oh, that guy!" actors. He was in Dexter, Awkward, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. He plays Tyler with a relaxed, low-stakes energy that contrasts perfectly with the high-strung revenge plot.Harley Jane Kozak as Renée.
She’s a veteran. If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, you know her from Parenthood or Arachnophobia. Having an actress of her caliber playing the mother figure adds a layer of "real movie" feel to a TV production.Abigail Klein as Kimmy.
Every holiday movie needs a foil, and Abigail (who has since done a long stint on Days of Our Lives) fills the role of the new, unsuspecting girlfriend perfectly.
A Closer Look at the Production DNA
This movie wasn't a massive theatrical release, obviously. It was directed by Jake Helgren. If you look at his filmography, the guy is a machine. He knows exactly how to frame a scene so the Christmas lights look magical even if it was clearly filmed on a backlot in 80-degree weather.
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The cast of Girlfriends of Christmas Past had to work with a script that is essentially a romantic comedy heist. Think The First Wives Club but with more tinsel.
Does the Cast Still Hold Up?
Looking back from 2026, the careers of these actors have gone in wild directions. Chris Carmack is a staple of prime-time medical drama. Tammin Sursok has become a massive social media personality and advocate, often talking about the realities of the acting industry.
The movie works because it doesn't take itself too seriously. When you watch the cast of Girlfriends of Christmas Past, you aren't looking for Oscar-worthy monologues. You’re looking for that specific brand of comfort that comes from seeing familiar TV faces navigate a snowy plot where everything ends up okay.
It's actually quite funny how many people rediscover this movie every December. It usually trends on streaming platforms like Hulu or the Roku Channel because the title is so searchable. But people stay because the leads are genuinely likeable.
Most holiday movies fail because the lead actress is too perfect. Livvy isn't perfect. She’s kind of a mess. She makes bad decisions. She’s petty. That makes her human. Tammin Sursok’s background in soaps and teen dramas gave her the toolset to play "over-the-top" while keeping a straight face.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Movie
People often confuse this with Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, the Matthew McConaughey movie. Big mistake. Huge.
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While the McConaughey flick is about a guy being visited by spirits, this one is about living, breathing women who are tired of being treated like footnotes in a guy's dating history. It’s more John Tucker Must Die than A Christmas Carol.
Also, the budget. People assume these TV movies are made for pennies. While they aren't Marvel-level productions, the set design for Anderson’s house and the office parties is surprisingly lush. It looks expensive. The cast sells the lifestyle.
Actionable Tips for Fans and Rewatchers
If you’re planning a holiday movie marathon and this is on your list, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Spot the Tropes: Watch for the "fake snow" moments. Since most of these are filmed in California or the South, you can usually spot the soap bubbles or white blankets if you look closely at the background.
- Actor Bingo: Try to name the other shows these actors were in. Between Pretty Little Liars, The OC, and Supernatural, this movie is basically a mid-2000s TV reunion.
- Check the Platforms: As of late 2025/early 2026, the movie moves around. It’s frequently on Peacock or Amazon Prime, but sometimes it drops onto YouTube Movies for free with ads.
- Double Feature: Pair this with Twelve Days of Christmas Eve. It has a similar "time is running out" energy and features a similarly veteran TV cast.
The cast of Girlfriends of Christmas Past succeeded because they understood the assignment. They didn't try to make it Citizen Kane. They made a fun, slightly biting, heart-warming story about friendship being more important than a bad boyfriend.
If you haven't seen it in a few years, it’s worth a rewatch just to see Chris Carmack play a jerk before he became everyone’s favorite doctor on Grey's. It’s a reminder that even the most "standard" holiday movies are built on the backs of really talented actors who know how to sell a story.
Check your local listings or your favorite streaming app. Usually, by November 1st, this movie starts popping up in the "Recommended for You" section. Give it a shot if you want something that has a little more teeth than the usual "bakery owner saves the town" plotline.
To get the full experience, look for the behind-the-scenes clips that Tammin Sursok has occasionally shared on her social media. It gives a whole new perspective on how they managed to stay "festive" during a grueling production schedule. You can also follow Meagan Holder and Lindsey McKeon on Instagram, as they often post throwbacks to these projects when the holiday season rolls around. Supporting these actors in their current ventures—whether it's indie films or new series—is the best way to keep the spirit of these cult-favorite holiday classics alive.