Stan, Australia’s unrivalled home of original productions, today announced that it’s going to be a Christmas among the gumtrees with production commencing in regional Victoria on the Stan Original Christmas Film, Jones Family Christmas. Starring Heather Mitchell (Love Me)and Ella Scott Lynch (Love Child),
Jones Family Christmas is a warm-hearted multi-generational comedy told through the lens of an Australian family whose Christmas is impacted by bushfires. Jones Family Christmas is based on Tegan Higginbotham’s audio play and is a 2Jons production that will premiere this festive season, only on Stan.
Eccentric grandmother Heather Jones (Heather Mitchell) has finally managed to get her family under one roof for Christmas. But all is not merry and bright in this rural home. From heartbreak and depression, to meddling mothers and forced frivolity – every member of Heather’s extended clan is fighting an internal battle. And externally, things aren’t much better. Before Heather even has a chance to interrogate her kids about their failing love lives, the family receives a fire evacuation order. Suddenly, the Joneses are on the run. As the mercury rises and danger closes in, Heather and her family must band together as they rediscover what matters most – each other.
Following the success of A Sunburnt Christmas, Christmas on the Farm and Christmas Ransom, the Stan Original FilmJones Family Christmas will continue Stan’s Christmas tradition of providing family-friendly Christmas films tailored to Australian audiences.
The cast also includes exciting new talent Max McKenna (While The Men Are Away), Neil Melville (Brilliant Lies), Nicholas Denton (Dangerous Liaisons), Dushan Philips (The Stan Original Series The Gloaming), Tahlee Fereday (Fisk), Jimmy Rees (Giggle and Hoot), Genevieve Morris (The Stan Original Series No Activity), Marg Downey (The Newsreader), Tegan Higginbotham (Oddball), Michael Logo (Colin From Accounts), Akhilesh Jain (Deendayal Ek Yug Purush), Bev Killick (Savage River) and Australian comedian Tanya Hennessey (Wellmania).
Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said: “Following the success of A Sunburnt Christmas, Christmas on the Farm and Christmas Ransom, Stan is delighted to bring another festive, feel-good film celebrating Christmas in Australia with Jones Family Christmas. Another heart-warming family comedy with the incredible Heather Mitchell leading the cast, we look forward to working with director Stef Smith, writer Tegan Higginbotham and the talented team at 2Jons on this joyous production.”
2Jons Producers Richard Kelly and John Molloy said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Stan to bring Jones Family Christmasto Australian screens. Our beautiful, talented cast are set to shine in this hilarious, moving, cross-generational, family Christmas story created by Writer Tegan Higginbotham and Director Stef Smith. We hope the Jones family festivities will find a place in your heart this Christmas – this film about selflessness, family and community is going to be a (Christmas) cracker!”
The Stan Original Film Jones Family Christmas is directed by Stef Smith (It’s Fine, I’m Fine),written by Tegan Higginbotham (This Is Littleton)andproduced by Richard Kelly and John Molloy at 2Jons Productions (The Stan Original Series The Gloaming), with major production investment from VicScreen.
