Let’s be real for a second. Most holiday movies are basically the same story told in different shades of red and green. You have the big-city executive, the small-town woodworker, and a suspicious amount of fake snow. But something weird happened in 2014. Hallmark dropped The Nine Lives of Christmas, and suddenly, everyone—even the cynical viewers—was hooked. It wasn’t just the cats, though let’s be honest, the cats did a lot of the heavy lifting. It was the chemistry. People still obsess over The Nine Lives of Christmas cast because they felt like actual humans instead of cardboard cutouts reading a script.
Brandon Routh wasn't just a guy in a uniform. Kimberley Sustad wasn't just a quirky vet student. They clicked.
The Fireman and the Vet Student: Why Brandon Routh and Kimberley Sustad Worked
You probably know Brandon Routh as Superman. Or maybe the goofy Atom from the DC TV universe. When he was cast as Zachary Stone, a commitment-phobic firefighter, he brought a level of grounded charm that most "leading man" roles in this genre lack. Zachary is a guy who has a literal "five-year plan" to stay single. Then enters Ambrose. Ambrose isn't a girl; he’s a stray orange tabby who decides he lives with Zachary now.
Kimberley Sustad, playing Marilee White, was the perfect foil. At the time, she wasn't the Hallmark powerhouse she is today. She brought this frantic, relatable energy to Marilee—a woman working her way through veterinary school while juggling a job at a pet supply store.
The magic of this duo is that they didn't fall in love at first sight. It was a slow burn fueled by pet care advice and shared leftovers. Honestly, it’s one of the few holiday movies where you actually believe they’d have something to talk about on January 2nd. Sustad has since become a staple of the network, not just as an actress but as a writer, which makes sense because her comedic timing in this film was leagues above the standard fare.
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The Supporting Players: More Than Just Background Noise
While the leads get the posters, The Nine Lives of Christmas cast is rounded out by some veteran character actors who give the movie its "neighborhood" feel.
Take Gregory Harrison. He plays Chief Sam, Zachary’s mentor at the firehouse. Harrison is a TV legend (Trapper John, M.D.), and he brings a "cool dad" authority to the role. He’s the one nudging Zachary toward the realization that being alone isn't the same as being independent.
Then there’s Stephanie Bennett as Jaclyn. In most of these movies, the "other woman" or the "wrong girlfriend" is a cartoon villain. Jaclyn is shallow, sure, but she’s played with just enough realism that you understand why Zachary was with her in the first place—and why she was ultimately the wrong fit.
- Chelsea Hobbs as Blair: Marilee's sister who provides the necessary "get it together" pep talks.
- Dalias Blake as Terry: A fellow firefighter who adds to the camaraderie at the station.
- Sean Tyson as Ray: Part of the firehouse glue that makes the setting feel lived-in.
The firehouse scenes actually felt like a workplace. It wasn't just men standing around in clean yellow jackets; there was banter. That’s a testament to the casting director finding actors who could play "buddies" without it feeling forced.
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The Feline Stars: Ambrose and Queenie
We can’t talk about the cast without the cats. Ambrose is a chunky orange tabby who basically steals every scene he's in. In the world of animal acting, find a cat that can sit still while Brandon Routh talks to it is a feat in itself. Queenie, Marilee’s cat, provided the necessary feline tension.
There’s a common misconception that animal actors are just "there." In reality, the presence of the cats forced the human actors to be more present. You can't over-rehearse a scene when a cat might decide to wash its paw in the middle of your monologue. It added an element of unpredictability that made the movie feel warmer.
Why We Are Still Talking About This Cast Over a Decade Later
Most holiday movies disappear into the abyss of cable reruns. This one didn't. In 2021, fans finally got a sequel, The Nine Kittens of Christmas. Getting the original leads back was a massive win for the network. Usually, sequels switch out the cast or focus on a cousin twice removed, but Routh and Sustad hopped back into their roles like no time had passed.
The chemistry remained. The cats (well, new kittens) were there. But the foundation was laid in that 2014 original.
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What really stands out about the The Nine Lives of Christmas cast is the lack of pretension. Kimberley Sustad has spoken in interviews about how much she loved the "messiness" of Marilee. She wasn't a polished princess; she was a student with cat hair on her sweater. That relatability is why, even in 2026, people are still Googling where they’ve seen these actors before.
Where Are They Now?
If you're looking to follow the cast today, they've been busy:
- Brandon Routh: Has stayed active in the sci-fi world and continues to do voice work and independent films. He’s also become a bit of a nerd icon, often appearing at fan conventions.
- Kimberley Sustad: She’s basically Hallmark royalty. She’s written scripts like Christmas by Starlight and starred in dozens of projects, often playing characters that are a bit more cynical and funny than the average lead.
- Gregory Harrison: He’s a recurring face on General Hospital and continues to pop up in various TV movies, maintaining that silver-fox-mentor vibe he perfected in Nine Lives.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Rewatch
If you’re planning to dive back into this classic or watch it for the first time, keep an eye out for these specific details that make the performances stand out:
- Watch the background during firehouse scenes. The interaction between the secondary firefighters isn't scripted as heavily, leading to some genuine, funny moments of "guy talk."
- Pay attention to Marilee’s reactions to Ambrose. Kimberley Sustad’s "cat person" energy is incredibly authentic; you can tell she’s actually comfortable handling the animals.
- Notice the lighting in the final scene. It’s a masterclass in how Hallmark uses "Golden Hour" to emphasize the chemistry the cast worked so hard to build.
To get the most out of the experience, try watching The Nine Lives of Christmas back-to-back with its 2021 sequel. It’s a rare chance to see how actors evolve their characters over a seven-year gap while maintaining the core traits that made us love them in the first place. Check your local listings or streaming platforms like Hallmark Movies Now, as they frequently bundle these two together during the "Christmas in July" and winter holiday blocks.