Brandon Routh and Kimberley Sustad Star in Hallmark Movie 'The Nine Lives of Christmas'

Brandon Routh, Kimberley Sustad. Photo Credit: Copyright
2014 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Katie Yu

When a handsome fireman adopts a stray cat at Christmastime, he changes his confirmed bachelor ways and finally opens his heart to the love of a beautiful veterinary student in The Nine Lives of Christmas, a Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere on Saturday, November 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and Kimberley Sustad (A Bride For Christmas) star with Stephanie Bennett (Signed, Sealed, Delivered), Chelsea Hobbs (Make It or Break It) and Gregory Harrison (Falcon Crest) in this heartwarming, holiday drama.

The Nine Lives of Christmas is part of Hallmark Channel's annual "Countdown to Christmas" event.

Brandon Routh. Photo Credit: Copyright 2014 Crown
Media United States, LLC/Photographer: David Owen Strongman

"The Nine Lives of Christmas is a perfect fit for Hallmark Channel as it not only brings our viewers a special holiday story but also embraces pet adoption, the foundation of the network’s corporate initiative, Pet Project," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President of Programming, Crown Media Family Networks. "As millions have fallen in love with Sheila Roberts' novel 'The Nine Lives of Christmas,' we couldn't be happier to partner with her to bring to life her beloved holiday book into a film that will resonate with our viewers."

Brandon Routh, Kimberley Sustad. Photo Credit:
Copyright 2014 Crown Media United States, LLC/
Photographer: David Owen Strongman

Fireman Zachary Stone (Routh) is a confirmed bachelor who doesn’t believe in love or commitment. When a stray, tabby cat named Ambrose shows up at his door, Zachary takes him in and slowly starts to see that a little companionship might not be so bad after all. Zachary’s commitment to solitude is further challenged when he meets Marilee White (Sustad), an animal lover and veterinary student who teaches Zachary how to care for his new feline roommate. Chemistry immediately develops between the two, but Marilee has vowed not to date until she graduates and Zachary is not ready to jeopardize his independence, though he senses Marilee is special.

With Christmas rapidly approaching, Marilee's sister Jaclyn (Bennett) convinces her to add romance to her nose-to-the-grindstone life of work and school, while fire chief Sam (Harrison) encourages Zachary to understand the importance of love, marriage and having someone special with whom to share the holidays. When Zachary’s model girlfriend Blair (Hobbs) pressures him to get rid of Ambrose and has Marilee fired from her job at a pet supply store that her father owns, Zachary sees the light, realizing he is in love with Marilee and that life is better if shared with someone special.

Brandon Routh. Photo Credit:
Copyright 2014 Crown Media United States, LLC/
Photographer: David Owen Strongman

Brandon Routh is a Des Moines, Iowa native who soared into the media limelight when he was cast as "the man of steel" in director Bryan Singer's highly anticipated revival of the original superhero film franchise Superman Returns. Routh was raised in Norwalk, Iowa, 100 miles south of Woolstock, the hometown of TV’s original Superman, George Reeves. Standing at 6'3," he was a high school athlete who swam, played soccer and starred in several theatrical productions. Routh's early television credits included Undressed and One Life to Live, as well as an episode of Will & Grace. He later reteamed with the show's creators to star in the half hour comedy Partners and also garnered a recurring role on NBC's cult hit Chuck. On the big screen, Routh has appeared in Edgar Wright's comic book epic Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, opposite Michael Cera; Zach and Miri Make a Porno, opposite Seth Rogen; Unthinkable, with Samuel L. Jackson; Life is Hot in Cracktown, based on the novel by Buddy Giovinazzo; and the romantic comedy Table for Three. Routh recently starred in Crooked Arrows, playing the coach of a Native American lacrosse team in a prep school league tournament and is currently shooting the indie thriller 400 Days. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Courtney Ford, and their son Leo.

Kimberley Sustad. Photo Credit:
Copyright 2014 Crown Media United States, LLC/
Photographer: David Owen Strongman

Kimberley Sustad was born in Ottawa and raised in Winnipeg, Canada. A self-professed tomboy, she grew up riding horses and at 5’ 10” shooting hoops, though neither of these skills have yet been required for her roles. A compelling performer, Sustad enjoys keeping her acting gigs – which range from playing supportive sister Vivian Patterson in the Hallmark Channel Original Movie, A Bride for Christmas, to wicked witch Madeline Templeton in Spookville – as varied as her hobbies, which range from accruing different hot sauces to rocking out to Arabic pop music. A Sci-Fi regular, Sustad has appeared in several TV series, including Supernatural, Continuum, Primeval: New World and J.J. Abrams' Alcatraz. Additionally, she's shared the small screen with Kirstie Alley in Baby Sellers and Kristin Lehman in Motive. On the stage, Sustad loves a good farce, having starred in Lewis Black's "One Slight Hitch" at Seattle's A Contemporary Theater and Marc Camoletti's "Boeing-Boeing" at Vancouver's Arts Club. In real life, she has a recurring role playing world traveler, having lived in Ecuador, South Korea, Taiwan, four U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.

Gregory Harrison's four-decade career spans television, film and theater. He has filmed over 40 TV movies, two dozen mini-series and guest-starred on dozens of television series, beginning with M*A*S*H in 1975. Harrison has since starred in numerous television series, including Logan's Run, Safe Harbor, Falcon Crest, Trapper John, M.D., One Tree Hill, Judging Amy, Strong Medicine, Joey and Ringer. He also recently starred in the TV movies Undercover Bridesmaid for Hallmark Channel and After All These Years for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. On the big screen, Harrison has appeared in several feature films, including It's My Party, North Shore, Razorback, Running Wild, Air Bud II: Golden Receiver, Love 'N Dancing, Give 'Em Hell, Malone and the soon-to-be-released The M Word, with Michael Imperioli and Frances Fisher. Harrison made his Broadway debut in 1997 with Kander and Ebb's "Steel Pier" and took the Broadway stage again in the 2001 Broadway revival of the critically acclaimed Stephen Sondheim musical "Follies," co-starring Blythe Danner and Treat Williams. Additionally, he played slick lawyer Billy Flynn in another Kander and Ebb musical, "Chicago," both on Broadway and on the national tour. Other dramatic theater roles include this year's world-premiere of "The Snake Can" (Odyssey Theater), Surf Report (La Jolla Playhouse), Child's Play, Jules Feiffer's Carnal Knowledge and the US and China tour of "Top Secret: The Battle For The Pentagon Papers." He also starred in productions of "The Hasty Heart and Picnic" (Ahmanson Theater), both taped for Showtime on Broadway. Harrison's regional musical credits include "Pump Boys and Dinettes," "Of Thee I Sing," "Paper Moon: The Musical," "Festival," "Guys and Dolls" and "The Music Man."