The Netflix holiday comedy A Merry Little Ex-Mas arrived on November 12, 2025, blending familiar rom‑com beats with a fresh cast led by Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson. The story follows a divorced couple trying to pull off one last perfect family Christmas before selling their home – a plan that unravels when the ex‑husband brings his new girlfriend. With a runtime of 1 hour 29 minutes, the film was produced by Melissa Joan Hart and Paula Hart, and directed by Steve Carr.
The cast brings together actors with strong comedic and dramatic backgrounds, from Silverstone’s iconic Clueless days to Jameela Jamil’s scene‑stealing turns. Below is a complete breakdown of who plays whom, along with what critics and early viewers have said.
Who Stars in A Merry Little Ex-Mas? Full Cast List
- Movie: A Merry Little Ex-Mas
- Release Year: 2025
- Main Cast: Alicia Silverstone, Oliver Hudson, Jameela Jamil, Pierson Fodé
- Genre: Christmas romantic comedy
Key Insights at a Glance
- Alicia Silverstone leads as Kate Holden, a recently divorced mother and eco‑conscious handywoman.
- Oliver Hudson plays Dr. Everett Holden, the workaholic ex‑husband.
- Jameela Jamil appears as Tess, Everett’s younger, picture‑perfect new girlfriend.
- Pierson Fodé takes the role of Chet Moore, a supporting character in the holiday chaos.
- Melissa Joan Hart appears in a supporting role and also served as producer.
- Wilder Hudson, Oliver Hudson’s real‑life son, plays Gabriel Holden – the couple’s son.
- The film reunites Silverstone and Hudson, who connected via a phone chemistry read while Silverstone was filming in Ireland.
Quick Facts Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Steve Carr (Paul Blart: Mall Cop) |
| Writers | Not publicly confirmed at time of writing |
| Main Cast | Alicia Silverstone, Oliver Hudson, Jameela Jamil, Pierson Fodé, Melissa Joan Hart |
| Rating | Not yet rated |
| Runtime | 1 hour 29 minutes |
| Release Date | November 12, 2025 (US theaters and Netflix) |
| Producers | Melissa Joan Hart, Paula Hart |
| Genre | Holiday romantic comedy |
Who Plays Gabriel, Sienna, and Other Key Characters?
Gabriel Holden – The Couple’s Son
The role of Gabriel, the young son at the center of the family drama, is played by Wilder Hudson, Oliver Hudson’s real‑life son. This detail was confirmed by the Los Angeles Times in a behind‑the‑scenes feature. Wilder’s casting adds a genuine family dynamic to the scenes between the separated parents.
Tess – The New Girlfriend
Jameela Jamil plays Tess, described in the official synopsis as “younger, picture‑perfect new girlfriend.” Her arrival is the comedic catalyst that derails Kate’s hopes for a peaceful holiday. Jamil is best known for The Good Place and recently voiced roles in PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie and appeared in People We Meet on Vacation.
Chet Moore – Supporting Role
Pierson Fodé appears as Chet Moore. Specific character details have not been widely expanded in sources, but the role fits within the ensemble of family and friends that populate the fictional town of Winterlight, Vermont.
Melissa Joan Hart – Undisclosed Supporting Role
Melissa Joan Hart, who also produced the film alongside her mother Paula Hart, plays a supporting character. Her exact role has not been detailed in the main cast lists, but her involvement was confirmed by TV Guide and the official trailer.
The character of Gabriel is played by Oliver Hudson’s real son, Wilder Hudson. This is not a formal casting announcement but was confirmed in press coverage. No actor has been publicly listed for a character named “Sienna” or “Mike” as of November 2025; those roles may not exist in the final film.
Is There a Trailer for A Merry Little Ex-Mas?
Yes. The official Netflix trailer was released on October 14, 2025, on YouTube. It confirms the core cast – Silverstone, Hudson, Jamil, Fodé, and Hart – and previews the central conflict: two divorced parents trying to keep the holidays happy while a new flame shakes things up. The Netflix official trailer runs approximately 2 minutes and includes key scenes set in the snowy town of Winterlight.
The trailer is available on Netflix’s official YouTube channel. As of late 2025, it had accumulated several hundred thousand views. No extended or behind‑the‑scenes clips have been released separately.
What Are the Reviews Saying About A Merry Little Ex-Mas?
Early reviews have not yet been aggregated on major sites such as Rotten Tomatoes or IMDb at the time of writing. The film only premiered on November 12, 2025, so critic and audience scores may take a few weeks to solidify. The Rotten Tomatoes cast and crew page lists the main actors but does not yet display a Tomatometer score.
One of the few published reviews comes from the Los Angeles Times, which focused on the on‑screen chemistry between Silverstone and Hudson. Silverstone told the paper that Hudson was “solid” and had “all the things I needed” after their phone chemistry read. Hudson, for his part, admitted to having a childhood crush on Silverstone’s Clueless character, which he described as a “nostalgic dream” come true.
No audience or critic aggregate score is yet available. The film’s reception will become clearer once platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb publish user ratings. Check back for updates after more reviews surface.
Who Is the Cast of A Merry Little Ex-Mas Now? (Latest Updates)
As of its November 2025 release, the cast remains the same as announced in the trailer and press materials. No cast changes have been reported since production wrapped. The Movie Insider page confirms the same lineup, and no additional supporting actors have been publicly added. The only notable behind‑the‑scenes detail is that Paula Hart and Melissa Joan Hart produced the film, with Steve Carr directing.
What Is the Release Timeline for A Merry Little Ex-Mas?
- Casting announced: Details emerged with the first trailer in October 2025, but earlier casting announcements were not publicly documented in available sources.
- Trailer release: October 14, 2025 – Netflix posted the official trailer on YouTube.
- Film release: November 12, 2025 – simultaneous theatrical and streaming debut in the United States.
Which Cast Members Are Confirmed?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Alicia Silverstone as Kate Holden – confirmed by all major sources (IMDb, TV Guide, Rotten Tomatoes, LA Times). | Whether any rumored roles like “Sienna” or “Mike” actually appear in the film. No credible source lists those characters. |
| Oliver Hudson as Everett Holden – confirmed. | Full supporting cast beyond the six main actors. The film may have minor roles not yet listed on public databases. |
| Jameela Jamil as Tess – confirmed. | Exact nature of Melissa Joan Hart’s supporting role. |
| Pierson Fodé as Chet Moore – confirmed. | Any post‑production recasts or uncredited appearances. |
| Wilder Hudson as Gabriel Holden – confirmed in LA Times interview. |
How Does This Film Fit Into the Holiday Rom‑Com Genre?
A Merry Little Ex-Mas follows the recent trend of holiday romantic comedies that focus on blended families and ex‑couples reconciling. Alicia Silverstone’s career has included several family‑friendly and comedic roles, from Clueless to Walk of Shame, making her a natural anchor for this type of film. Oliver Hudson brings experience from ensemble comedies such as Pretty Thing and Bugonia. The addition of Jameela Jamil, known for her sharp comedic timing in The Good Place, adds cross‑genre appeal. The film’s setting – the fictional snowy town of Winterlight, Vermont – is a classic backdrop for holiday chaos and family reconciliation.
Where Can I Find Official Cast Information and Quotes?
The most reliable sources for the cast are dedicated movie databases and entertainment news outlets. Below are key quotes and their sources:
“Recently divorced Kate hopes for one last perfect family Christmas before selling her house.”
— Official synopsis via TV Guide
“Alicia Silverstone noted Hudson was ‘solid’ and had ‘all the things I needed.’”
— Los Angeles Times, November 12, 2025
“Hudson cited his crush on Silverstone’s Clueless role, calling the movie a ‘nostalgic dream’ for its stars.”
— Los Angeles Times, November 12, 2025
For the full cast list, visit IMDb, Wikipedia, or Rotten Tomatoes.
What Is the Cast of A Merry Little Ex-Mas?
The cast of A Merry Little Ex-Mas features Alicia Silverstone, Oliver Hudson, Jameela Jamil, Pierson Fodé, Melissa Joan Hart, and Wilder Hudson in the key roles. The film premiered on Netflix and in theaters on November 12, 2025, and explores a divorced couple’s attempt to give their son a memorable holiday despite the presence of a new partner. For more on the movie’s development, see A Merry Little Ex-Mas (2025) – Cast Research.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was A Merry Little Ex-Mas released?
The movie was released on November 12, 2025, in US theaters and on Netflix.
Where can I watch A Merry Little Ex-Mas?
It is currently streaming on Netflix and playing in select theaters. Check local listings for showtimes.
Is A Merry Little Ex-Mas based on a true story?
No, it is a fictional holiday romantic comedy written for the screen.
How many cast members are in the film?
At least six main roles are publicly confirmed; full supporting cast lists are available on IMDb and Wikipedia.
Does the film have a soundtrack?
No official soundtrack information has been released as of November 2025.
Who plays the son Gabriel in the movie?
Wilder Hudson, Oliver Hudson’s real‑life son, plays Gabriel Holden.
Is there a character named Sienna in the film?
No credible source lists a character named Sienna. It may be a rumor or a minor uncredited role.
What is the movie’s rating?
The film has not yet received an official rating from the MPAA.
Who directed A Merry Little Ex-Mas?
The director is Steve Carr, known for Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life.
Will there be a sequel?
No sequel has been announced. The film is currently a standalone holiday release.
Oliver Bennett is Managing Editor at ShowbizUK.co.uk, responsible for daily editorial planning, the publishing schedule, newsroom workflow, article commissioning and final editorial preparation.