Candace Cameron Bure has basically become the face of December. If you’ve spent any time flipping through the Hallmark Channel during the holidays, you know exactly what I’m talking about. In 2020, she teamed up with Warren Christie for a movie that took a pretty weird—but charming—swing at a classic story. People still search for the If I Only Had Christmas cast because the chemistry on screen felt less like a scripted movie and more like a group of friends who actually liked each other.
It wasn't just another cookie-cutter romance.
The movie, directed by David Weaver, was a deliberate homage to The Wizard of Oz. You had Darcy, a publicist from Kansas City, traveling to a big "Emerald" city (Connecticut, in this case) to help a cynical VP named Glenn Goodman. The references weren't subtle. We’re talking about a dog named "Z" instead of Toto and a broken-down yellow car. But the real engine of the film was the ensemble. Without the right actors to play the "Tin Man," "Scarecrow," and "Lion" archetypes, the whole thing would have probably felt like a high school play with a high budget.
The Heavy Hitters: Candace Cameron Bure and Warren Christie
Candace Cameron Bure plays Darcy Gale. Honestly, at this point in her career, she could probably do these roles in her sleep, but she brings a specific kind of relentless optimism to Darcy that makes the Oz parallels work. She’s the heart. She’s the Kansas girl. But she needed a foil.
Enter Warren Christie as Glenn Goodman.
Christie is one of those actors you’ve seen in everything from Motive to The Village, and even a stint in the DC universe as Bruce Wayne (sort of) in Batwoman. He has this natural, slightly detached charisma that fit the "Beast" or "Tin Man" vibe perfectly. He’s the guy who has everything—money, power, a massive estate—but lacks a "heart" for the Christmas spirit. The way he and Bure play off each other is the main reason this specific movie stayed in the rotation while others from the 2020 slate faded away.
Who Played the Rest of the If I Only Had Christmas Cast?
The secondary characters are where the Wizard of Oz references really get fun. If you look closely at the If I Only Had Christmas cast, you’ll see the archetypes everywhere.
- Neil Webb (The Scarecrow): Played by Robert Wisden. He’s the guy who needs a "brain" or, in this context, the confidence to trust his own ideas. Wisden is a veteran of the Vancouver acting scene, appearing in legendary shows like The X-Files and Smallville.
- Jackie (The Lion): Lucia Walters plays Jackie, the character who needs "courage" to stand up for herself and her professional worth. Walters brings a grounded, sensible energy to the group that balances out Darcy’s high-energy peppiness.
- Bridget (The Good Witch): Brenda Crichlow plays Bridget. You might recognize her voice from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (she was Zecora), but here she serves as the guiding force that helps Darcy navigate the corporate maze of the Goodman estate.
It’s a clever bit of casting. Often, Hallmark movies suffer from "Main Character Syndrome," where the leads are the only ones with any personality. Here, the supporting players had to represent specific traits. If the "Scarecrow" wasn't believable, the whole metaphor would fall apart.
Why the Locations Mattered as Much as the People
Filming took place in British Columbia, specifically around Victoria and Abbotsford. This is standard for these productions, but the set design for the Goodman estate had to feel "Emerald City" esque. It needed to be grand, slightly cold, and intimidating.
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The production team used the contrast between Darcy’s bright, colorful wardrobe and Glenn’s stark, neutral-toned office to emphasize their world collision. When you’re watching the If I Only Had Christmas cast interact, you notice the lighting changes as Glenn begins to "thaw." It starts out very blue and crisp, moving toward warmer yellows and oranges by the final act. It’s a subtle trick, but it works on your brain without you even realizing it.
The Mystery of the "Wicked Witch"
Every Oz story needs a villain. In this version, the "Wicked Witch" isn't a literal witch, of course. It’s more of a corporate obstacle. We see this in the form of business rivalries and the general coldness of the corporate world that Darcy is trying to disrupt.
There was a lot of chatter when the movie premiered about whether there would be a literal "West" character. Instead, the "villain" is more about the internal struggles of the characters. Glenn’s lack of holiday spirit and the pressure of the hidden "secret" regarding the charity auction provide the tension. It’s less about a flying monkey attack and more about whether or not a PR campaign will fail.
Actually, let’s talk about the dog.
Z, the dog, was played by a pup named Bugz. In many ways, the dog is the glue of the If I Only Had Christmas cast. There’s a rule in Hollywood: never work with children or animals because they’ll steal the scene. Bugz definitely stole his scenes. The presence of the dog allowed Warren Christie’s character to show a softer side before he was ready to show it to Darcy.
Behind the Camera: David Weaver’s Vision
David Weaver isn't a stranger to the genre. He’s directed dozens of these films, but with If I Only Had Christmas, he had a specific challenge. How do you do a tribute to one of the most famous movies in history without it being cheesy?
The answer was in the pacing.
He allowed the actors to have longer, more conversational scenes than you usually see in a 90-minute TV movie. There’s a scene early on where Darcy is explaining her philosophy of "positive public relations" that feels surprisingly grounded. It’s not just fluff; it’s character development. This is why the movie has a higher re-watch value than the average holiday flick.
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Common Misconceptions About the Movie
A lot of people think this was a direct sequel to a previous Candace Cameron Bure movie. It isn't. While she often works with the same directors or costars, this was a standalone project.
Another weird rumor that pops up on Reddit and Twitter every December is that the movie was filmed in the summer. While many Hallmark movies are filmed in July with fake snow, this one actually had a bit of a cooler production schedule, which helped the actors look less like they were melting in their heavy wool coats.
People also get the title confused with If I Only Had a Heart or other Oz lyrics. The title is a direct play on the song "If I Only Had a Brain/Heart/The Nerve," which perfectly sets the stage for the character arcs.
Navigating the Career of the Cast Since 2020
Since this movie aired, the If I Only Had Christmas cast has stayed incredibly busy.
Candace Cameron Bure famously moved from Hallmark to Great American Family (GAF), taking on an executive role and continuing her streak of holiday content. This makes If I Only Had Christmas one of her final "classic" Hallmark entries, which gives it a bit of nostalgic weight for fans of the network.
Warren Christie has continued his streak of being the most reliable leading man in Vancouver-based productions. He’s popped up in The Watchful Eye and continues to be a fan favorite for his ability to play both "action guy" and "romantic lead" with equal ease.
Lucia Walters has stayed a staple of the TV movie world, appearing in several mystery series and holiday specials. She’s become one of those "Oh, it’s her!" actresses that viewers love to see because she brings an immediate sense of reality to whatever world she’s in.
Real Insights for the Superfans
If you’re planning a re-watch, keep an eye out for the color green. The costume designers used green very sparingly for Darcy until the final act, signifying her arrival in her own version of the Emerald City.
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Also, pay attention to the names.
- Darcy Gale (Dorothy Gale)
- Glenn Goodman (Glinda/The Good Wizard mashup)
- Z (Toto/The end of the alphabet/The end of the road)
These little "Easter eggs" are what separate a generic holiday movie from one that has a bit of soul. The writers, Kim Beyer-Johnson and Jim Head, clearly had a blast mapping the 1939 classic onto a modern corporate setting.
How to Enjoy the Movie Today
You can usually find If I Only Had Christmas streaming on the Hallmark Movies Now app, or it inevitably airs about 400 times between October and January on the main channel.
If you want to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch the 1939 Wizard of Oz first. It makes the character beats in the Hallmark version way funnier.
- Look for the "Yellow Brick Road." There’s a specific scene involving a walkway that is a direct visual nod.
- Check out the soundtrack. The music cues often mimic the whimsical, orchestral feel of old Hollywood.
The If I Only Had Christmas cast succeeded because they didn't treat the material like a joke. They played the sincerity of the Oz themes—finding home, finding courage, and finding a heart—within the framework of a modern romance. That’s a harder balancing act than it looks.
When you sit down to watch it, don't just look for the romance. Look for the way the three "friends" (Neil, Jackie, and the estate staff) help the lead characters grow. It’s a movie about community as much as it is about falling in love.
Practical Next Steps for Viewers
If you've already seen this one and are looking for more of that specific "cast chemistry," check out The Irresistible Blueberry Farm (also featuring Warren Christie) or A Shoe Addict's Christmas (another Bure classic with a magical twist).
You can also follow the actors on social media; Lucia Walters and Brenda Crichlow often share behind-the-scenes stories from their various Vancouver sets, giving you a glimpse into how these "Christmas towns" are actually built in the middle of a rainy Canadian autumn. For the best experience, try to find the "Making Of" specials that Hallmark sometimes airs during their "Preview Proclaim" events, as they often show the cast joking around between takes, which explains why their on-screen bond felt so authentic.