This holiday season, actress Katelynn Bennett is giving audiences the ultimate gift—not one, but two starring roles in festive films that showcase her range, charm, and undeniable on-screen presence. While both projects place her at the center of a love story, the journeys couldn’t be more different. Together, they mark a defining moment for Bennett, whose rise in television and film continues to accelerate with purpose and power.
In A Christmas Surprise, Bennett lights up the screen as the daughter whose well-timed holiday announcement turns an ordinary family Christmas into complete chaos. When her character reveals she’s engaged, her mother—played by the incomparable Wendy Raquel Robinson—is sent spinning into a whirlwind of opinions, emotions, and comic misadventures. Add in a less-than-impressive future son-in-law, his overly involved mother, and the pressure of a fast-approaching wedding, and the result is a hilarious, heartfelt story about love, family, and unexpected joy.
Directed by Terri J. Vaughn, who also appears in the film alongside Keesha Sharp (Girlfriends), A Christmas Surprise blends humor and heart in a way that highlights Bennett’s natural ability to hold her own among industry veterans.
But while A Christmas Surprise taps into the delightful chaos of family and holiday stress, Bennett’s second seasonal release explores romance through an entirely different lens.
Watch The Trailer Below!
In The Love Doctor, she stars as Emma—a talented, career-driven woman who’s placed dating on the back burner. Created and produced by David “DJ” Rowell and directed by Terrence “T.C.” Carson (Living Single), the film casts Bennett opposite Rowell in a story that balances humor, sweetness, and the emotional warmth audiences crave this time of year.
Emma’s dynamic is tender and refreshing: a woman who hasn’t been hurt by heartbreak, but rather swallowed by ambition, routine, and the comfort of independence. When she meets Nick—played by Rowell—a relationship consultant still nursing his own emotional wounds, their worlds collide in a way that nudges both characters toward rediscovery, hope, and connection. Under Carson’s direction, the film shines with classic holiday charm and modern relatability, rounded out by a memorable appearance from Kellie Shanygne Williams (Family Matters).
Watch The Trailer Below!
Both films highlight Bennett’s evolving artistry and her growing ability to lead a story with nuance, humor, and emotional intelligence. After standout roles in Law & Order, BET’s A Christmas Surprise, Zoey 102 on Paramount+, Hulu’s Reasonable Doubt, and Up Here, Bennett’s continued momentum feels not only deserved—but inevitable.
This season, she isn’t just starring in holiday films.
She is the holiday mood.
A Christmas Surprise is now streaming on BET and BET+.
The Love Doctor is available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.
