‘CHRISTMAS LAND’

CAST BIOS

Nikki DeLoach (Jules Cooper) – Born in a small town in South Georgia, Nikki Deloach always knew she wanted to be an entertainer. She started dancing at the age of three which led to singing, modeling, and eventually, acting. All of her hard work paid off and at the young age of 12, DeLoach became a member of “The Mickey Mouse Club,” alongside Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Ryan Gosling. After the show, DeLoach spent several years in Los Angeles pursuing acting where she starred opposite Mark Wahlberg and Bill Paxton in the movie “The Traveler” and played Anthony LaPaglia’s daughter in “The Jimmy V Story” and TV series “Misery Loves Company.” Soon after, she was offered the opportunity to venture into the music industry. She signed to RCA and BMG records, and became a part of the 90’s girl group Innosense. Since then, DeLoach has gone on to enjoy a successful and diverse career as an actress in Hollywood.

DeLoach can currently be seen on MTV’s #1 scripted and critically acclaimed show, “Awkward.” She is considered one of television’s “hottest moms” with her portrayal of Lacey Hamilton, the young and well-meaning mother of Jenna, the show’s focus. The series has been praised by fans and critics alike, and has appeared on numerous “Best of TV Lists” including TV Guide’s Hot List, Variety, USA Today, Huffington Post, The New York Times and Time Magazine, to name just a few. The series along with the cast was recently nominated for a Young Hollywood Award for Bingeworthy Television Show, as well as for a People’s Choice Award for Best Cable TV Comedy. The show returned for the highly anticipated Season 5, which premiered in late August 2015.

Though she is perhaps best known for her role on “Awkward” and “The Mickey Mouse Club,” DeLoach is no stranger to television and film. DeLoach has recently been seen guest starring on hit shows “The Player,” “Castle,” “The Exes,” “NCIS” and “Criminal Minds.” She was also a series regular on the popular show “North Shore.” Other credits include guest roles on “CSI,” “CSI: NY, Ringer,” “Major Crimes,” “Sirens,” “Cold Case,” “Mad Men” and “Without A Trace,” to name just a few. Some of DeLoach’s most recent films include “A Kind of Magic,” “Love & Other Drugs” where she starred opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, “Flying Lessons” opposite Maggie Grace and Hal Holbrook, and the French comedy “Hollywood.”

Outside of acting, DeLoach is dedicated to sharing her passions and idea with others. She started a blog with SheKnows.com that is a platform for women all over the world to come together through common experiences. She is also very well-versed in current events and enjoys sharing her views on politics and pop-culture as a guest panelist with “The Young Turks Network” and “Dr. Drew On Call.” DeLoach shares her love for acting by coaching at the renowned Warner Loughlin Studios. She also co-founded an organization called “iWe" (Industry that Works for Everyone), that fights for gender equality in the entertainment industry.

With such a busy schedule, DeLoach works hard to find a happy balance between work and her personal life. It has been almost two years since she was blessed with a son, and a brand new role to tackle. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and watching football. ###

Luke Macfarlane (Tucker Martin) – Luke currently stars as one of the leads on the Syfy series “Killjoys” and will soon be seen in the PBS Civil War medical drama, “Mercy Street.” He made his feature film debut in Bill Condon’s “Kinsey,” opposite Liam Neeson and Laura Linney. He also starred in ’s “Tanner on Tanner,” a limited series for the Sundance Channel, opposite . On the small screen, Luke was a series regular on the Canadian sitcom “Satisfaction” and has appeared as a guest on hit shows such as “Smash,” “Person Of Interst” and “Beauty and the Beast.” On the stage, Luke starred in the Where Do We Live, written and directed by Chris Shinn at the Vineyard Theater, as well as the play Juvenilia. Most recently, Luke has starred in the Playwright’s Horizons production of The Busy World is Hushed opposite .

Macfarlane is a graduate of The Juilliard Drama Division, where he starred in the productions of The School of Night, Blue Window, The Grapes of Wrath and As You Like It.

Macfarlane is best known for his role on ABC’s hit television series “Brothers and Sisters.” He is also known for his work on the critically acclaimed Steven Bochco FX series, “Over There” and Macfarlane most recently starred in the CBC mini-series “Iron Road” leading an all-star cast including Peter O’Toole and Sam Neill.

Macfarlane hails from London, Ontario and resides in Los Angeles.

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