Honestly, some holiday movies just stick. You know the ones. They aren’t trying to win an Oscar, but they have that weird, cozy gravity that pulls you in when you're three cookies deep into a December Tuesday. You Can’t Fight Christmas is exactly that. Released back in 2017, it’s basically a staple on TV One and various streaming platforms now. People keep searching for the cast of You Can’t Fight Christmas because the chemistry actually works. It isn't just cardboard cutouts moving through a fake snowy set; it's a group of seasoned actors who clearly understood the assignment.
The story centers around the Chesterton Hotel. It’s a big deal. Every year, this place gets decked out in more tinsel than a craft store explosion. But then comes the conflict: the owner’s grandson wants to modernize it. Translation? He wants to suck the soul out of the holiday. Enter the bubbly decorator. You've seen this trope before, sure. But the actors? They make it feel fresh.
The Leads: Brely Evans and Andra Fuller
Brely Evans plays Leslie Major. She’s the heart. If you’ve followed her career, you know she’s got this infectious energy that doesn’t feel forced. She isn't just "the girl who loves Christmas." She plays Leslie with a genuine sense of craft. Evans has been in everything from Being Mary Jane to Ambitions, and her background in music and comedy gives her a timing that a lot of other holiday leads lack. She makes the obsession with the Chesterton Hotel feel like a real passion, not just a plot point.
Then you’ve got Andra Fuller as Edmund James. He’s the "grinch" figure, though he’s more of a corporate spreadsheet guy than a cave-dwelling monster. Fuller has that classic leading-man vibe—sharp suits, stoic face, eventually melting into a smile. You might recognize him from The Game or Black Jesus. The way he plays off Evans is the reason the movie works. It’s that classic "opposites attract" dynamic, but they actually have banter that feels like two adults talking, rather than a scripted Hallmark card.
He’s trying to streamline the business. She’s trying to save the garland. It’s a clash of ideologies that would be boring if the actors didn't have such high-voltage charisma.
The Supporting Cast of You Can’t Fight Christmas
A movie like this lives or dies by its side characters. If the world around the leads feels empty, the whole thing collapses. Luckily, the cast of You Can’t Fight Christmas is stacked with familiar faces who bring a lot of weight to the Chesterton Hotel’s hallways.
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Persia White is a standout. Look, if you’re a fan of Girlfriends, seeing Lynn Searcy on screen is always a win. In this film, she plays Millicent, and she brings a layer of sophistication and slight edge that balances out the sugary sweetness of the main plot. She’s talented. She’s poised. She’s exactly what the movie needs to keep it from drifting too far into "too-cute" territory.
Then there’s Richard Gant. The man is a legend. Having a veteran like Gant—who has been in everything from Rocky V to The Big Lebowski and Greenleaf—gives the film immediate "prestige" in the world of TV movies. He plays the patriarch of the hotel, and his presence provides the emotional anchor. When he talks about the history of the building, you actually believe him. It doesn't feel like he’s reading lines; it feels like he’s sharing a memory.
- Porscha Coleman also makes an appearance. You've likely seen her in Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! or heard her voice work. She adds another layer of dynamic energy to the ensemble.
- Marla Gibbs... I mean, come on. It’s Marla Gibbs. While her role is a cameo, seeing an icon from The Jeffersons and 227 show up is a treat for anyone who grew up on classic TV. It’s like a wink to the audience.
- Travis Cure plays his part well, adding to the visual appeal and the social fabric of the hotel’s community.
Why the Chemistry Actually Matters
Most people think holiday movies are easy to act in. They aren't. It is actually really hard to act "festive" without looking like a lunatic. The cast of You Can’t Fight Christmas manages to walk that line. They treat the material with respect.
The film was directed by Kristane Cunningham, and you can tell there was a focus on making the Black excellence on screen feel vibrant and authentic. It’s not just a "Christmas movie"; it’s a movie about a Black family legacy and the tension between tradition and the future. That’s a real-world theme. Everyone has that one uncle or cousin who wants to change the Thanksgiving recipe while the grandparents are screaming about "how we’ve always done it."
The actors tap into that. When Edmund (Fuller) talks about ROI and business metrics, he isn't a villain. He’s a guy trying to make sure the family legacy survives in a digital world. When Leslie (Evans) fights back, she’s defending the intangible feeling of home. That nuance is why people still watch this years later.
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Behind the Scenes and Production Vibes
The movie was filmed in a way that makes the Chesterton feel like a character itself. While the actors do the heavy lifting, the production design is the silent member of the cast of You Can’t Fight Christmas. It’s lush. It’s over-the-top.
Interestingly, this movie was part of a wave of programming by TV One to reclaim the holiday narrative. For a long time, holiday movies were very... one-note. Seeing a cast of this caliber—Persia White, Richard Gant, Brely Evans—all in one frame, celebrating a high-end, luxury Christmas experience, was a big deal for representation. It showed a different side of the holiday experience. It wasn't about struggle; it was about legacy and love.
Breaking Down the Cast Performances
- Brely Evans (Leslie): The comedic timing is what saves the character from being too "manic pixie dream girl." She’s grounded.
- Andra Fuller (Edmund): He does the "slow thaw" exceptionally well. You can see the shift in his eyes before he even says a word.
- Persia White (Millicent): She brings the "grown and sexy" vibe to the film, making it feel more like a romantic drama than a kids' movie.
- Richard Gant (Colonel James): The authority. The gravity. The reason the hotel matters to the audience.
The Longevity of the Movie
Why do we keep talking about these actors? Because the holiday movie industry is a juggernaut. Once you are part of a "classic" cast, you’re in people's living rooms every single year. You become part of their tradition.
The cast of You Can’t Fight Christmas has moved on to bigger things since 2017, but this film remains a highlight on their resumes for a specific reason: it has soul. It’s not a cynical cash-grab. You can tell the actors liked working together. The bloopers—if they exist—are probably hilarious because this group has such high natural chemistry.
What You Should Do Next
If you haven’t seen it in a while, or if you’ve only seen clips on social media, it’s worth a re-watch just to study the performances. Most people watch for the plot, but if you watch for the acting, you’ll see some really subtle work by Richard Gant and Brely Evans.
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Next Steps for Fans:
Check out the other "Christmas" titles by the same production teams. Many of these actors cross-pollinate into other holiday films on TV One and Lifetime. If you liked Andra Fuller here, look for his work in The Game to see his range—it’s a completely different vibe. Also, follow Brely Evans on social media; she’s just as energetic and positive in real life as her character Leslie is.
For those interested in the industry side, look up the director Kristane Cunningham. Her vision for the film's aesthetic is what makes the cast's performances pop. Supporting these films ensures that we keep getting diverse, high-quality holiday stories that don't just rely on the same old formulas.
Lastly, pay attention to the soundtrack. The music in this film often gets overlooked, but it plays a huge role in setting the pace for the actors. It’s a full-package production that deserves its spot in the Christmas movie hall of fame.