Holiday movies are dreamy, but not for everyone. How one writer is bringing diversity in

By Lauren Gilger
Published: Monday, December 13, 2021 - 12:00pm
Updated: Thursday, December 22, 2022 - 4:08pm

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Mario Lopez and  Paulina Chávez in “Feliz NaviDAD”
Lifetime
Mario Lopez and Paulina Chávez in “Feliz NaviDAD.”

It’s that time of year again, when we all put up too many holiday lights, eat too many cookies and watch too many holiday movies.

For films, there are so many choices, from the classics, to the comedies, to the new slate of holiday movies on Lifetime every year. And that’s where Peter Murrieta comes in.

Murrieta is an Emmy-winning producer and writer, as well as director in residence at the Sidney Poitier New American Film School at Arizona State University.

He’s been behind series like the Disney Channel’s "Wizards of Waverly Place," which starred a young Selena Gomez. And last year, he dove into the holiday genre and co-wrote "Feliz NaviDAD," starring Mario Lopez of "Saved By the Bell" fame.

The Show spoke with Murrieta to learn what prompted his dip into holiday movies.

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