Last year, Eirene Tran Donohue found herself watching Taylor Swift at Arrowhead Stadium supporting the Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce and thought to herself, “This could make for a perfect romantic comedy.”

“I’ve created several Christmas films for Lifetime,” Donohue explains.

The writer was chatting with her friend Tia Maggini, an executive at Lifetime, about the idea of a love story between a famous singer and a down-to-earth football player.

She recalls, “Maggini asked, ‘Do you want to turn this into a movie?’ And I immediately said, ‘Christmas and Taylor Swift? Those are my two greatest passions!'”

This conversation led to the creation of “Christmas in the Spotlight,” which premieres on Saturday at 8 PM EST/PST.

A unique take on a familiar love story

While the romance between Kelce and Swift was showcased through NFL broadcasts, blurry livestreams of the Eras Tour, and occasional paparazzi shots, the Lifetime film takes inspiration from their relationship without directly mirroring it.

The film features two distinct main characters: Bowyn Sykes, a pop sensation preparing to launch her much-anticipated Christmas album, and Drew “Gonzo” Gonville, a wide receiver for the fictional Bay Spring Bombers.

For example, Bowyn’s father has passed away and her mother is absent, while Gonzo’s brother plays on the same team as him. Their love story begins at a fan meet-and-greet after Sykes performs. (Kelce famously called out Swift on his podcast when the chance to meet her at one of her Kansas City shows was missed.)

It’s clear why Donohue ranks among the top 0.1% of Taylor Swift fans on Spotify. Her script is filled with clever references, including Gonzo wearing the No. 13 jersey. The film features lines such as, “Let the games begin,” “I’m sorry Uncle Gonzo can’t take your call right now he’s dead,” and “Why must they be so unkind?”

When news of the film was announced, Reddit users shared a range of opinions, from humorous to critical.

@luvlyyung commented, “I love their love story so far, and I enjoy these kinds of films, so I’m excited to check it out.”

@spirited-acadia4769 expressed, “I feel this is quite strange and intrusive, but I recognize it’s just a movie and perhaps I’m the odd one. Still, it feels a bit like exploiting their relationship.”

@Natural_Ad_6803 added, “I’m not going to lie. I’ll definitely be watching this with some popcorn and a warm blanket”

Donohue has seen the discussions and feels that some concerns are premature. “I believe this film can stand on its own even if someone has never heard of Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce,” she states. “I truly believe it works as a Christmas romantic comedy. Swifties will appreciate it, knowing it comes from a place of admiration and is not meant to exploit them.”

The film features many references that may pass unnoticed by those unfamiliar with Swift, yet devoted fans will catch phrases like “you are the best part of this party” and “you look like you’re enjoying yourself,” along with the names of the opinionated sportscasters, Chad Marcus and Aimee Hannah.

Donohue wishes for Swift and Kelce to enjoy the film.

“I hope they find it entertaining and humorous and see that it’s made with love and celebration,” she states. “There’s also a clever Kelce reference that most viewers might miss. (Jason Kelce) would totally get it.”

A fitting culmination of their creative effort

Laith Wallschleger, 32, and Jessica Lord, 26, star as Gonzo and Bowyn, respectively.

In a lighthearted moment, Wallschleger remarks, “We managed to make a puzzle montage quite risqué—I don’t think that’s ever been done before.”

A former college and professional football player, he transitioned to acting five years ago. He mentions that he’s heard through shared sports connections that Kelce knows about the movie and plans to watch it.

“Apparently, he’s planning a watch party to view it, which is pretty exciting,” Wallschleger shares.

His undeniable on-screen chemistry with Lord is striking, reminiscent of the complexities faced in the Swift and Kelce relationship. The characters navigate challenging discussions, such as the desire to keep their romantic life private before going public, facing skepticism about their relationship’s authenticity as merely a PR stunt, and striving to maintain a sense of normality in the face of constant public scrutiny.

“We had a Zoom table read followed by an hour-long phone call where we discussed our feelings and got to know one another,” shares Lord. “From the start, we formed a connection, which really influenced our dynamic throughout filming, fostering a deep respect for each other.”

Lord and Wallschleger finally met face-to-face during their two weeks of filming in Toronto— notably where Swift will conclude her tour at Rogers Centre on Saturday.

Wallschleger hopes to receive a last-minute invitation to the Kelce screening, saying, “I’m completely free.”

While they wait, both he and Lord are urging fans to watch the movie. “I truly hope it brings a smile to someone’s face,” Wallschleger expresses. “There’s a lot of negativity and hostility in the world.”

“It’s a light-hearted and heartwarming holiday film,” adds Lord. “I think it delivers a meaningful message about perseverance and fighting for what you love, especially regarding family and dreams.”