Luke Macfarlane, Italia Ricci Fall in Love While ‘Jeopardizing Christmas’ in Hallmark’s Catch Me If You Claus (Exclusive)

Italia Ricci and Luke Macfarlane are getting into the Christmas spirit… weeks early!

The couple is set to star in a new Hallmark Channel original holiday movie, Catch Me If You Clauswhich premieres on Thanksgiving — and PEOPLE has the exclusive first look.

The story begins on Christmas Eve, when Avery Quinn (Ricci) is woken up by someone breaking into her house. He discovers a man dressed as Santa Claus (Macfarlane) and immediately jumps into action, tying him up – with a string of Christmas lights, of course.

However, her intruder Grandpa — named Chris — begs to be let go because he’s in the middle of a very important job: delivering presents. Chris claims to be Santa’s son and tells Avery that she will be responsible for ruining the Christmas magic for many little children.

Italia Ricci and Luke Macfarlane in ‘Catch Me If You Claus’.

Albert Camicioli/Hallmark Media

“You tied up Santa and put Christmas in jeopardy,” Chris says in the video. “What if you can’t complete the most important task of your life?”

However, Avery, an aspiring news anchor, is not convinced by his heartbreaking story. He suspects that Chris might actually be the elusive Santa Crook who made the headlines – and sees the potential for a career-making story by finally catching him.

“Luke Macfarlane has one night to convince Italia Ricci if he’s mean or nice,” the narrator teases in the clip.

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Italia Ricci and Luke Macfarlane in ‘Catch Me If You Claus’.

Albert Camicioli/Hallmark Media

Just as Avery is about to hand Chris over to the police, a series of accidents sends the duo on the run from the cops, with some baddies on their tail. During the night, Avery and Chris race to find clues and solve the case in time to meet Avery’s deadline, all while Christmas hangs in the balance.

“Will Avery’s news make it to air or will she be late and in despair? Will Chris meet his deadline and deliver all the presents or will this Christmas be one to miss?” the description for the film reads.

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Italia Ricci and Luke Macfarlane in ‘Catch Me If You Claus’.

Albert Camicioli/Hallmark Media

In true Hallmark style, as the plot unfolds, the ice between Avery and Chris begins to melt and they form a bond that could lead to love.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Ricci, 37, called filming the movie “one of the most enjoyable shoots ever,” praising Macfarlane, 43, for being fun on set.

“[Luke] I was doubled over laughing the entire time, and if they let us share some gaffes, I can prove it,” she wrote, before telling Hallmark fans, “I hope you have as much fun watching it as we did! ”

Italia Ricci in ‘Catch Me If You Claus’.

Hallmark Media

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Catch Me If You Claus is one of 31 new original movies showing on Hallmark this holiday season and stars a long list of network fan favorites including Lacey Chabert, Nikki DeLoach, Andrew Walker, Bethany Joy Lenz, Erin Cahill and Jonathan Bennett.

Several new faces will also be joining the Hallmark holiday party, including Bryan Greenberg, Suits star Rick Hoffman and William Moseley.

Additionally, nine new holiday movies will debut on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, while two more movies will premiere on their subscription streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now.

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Catch Me If You Claus premieres Thursday, November 23 at 8:00 PM ET on the Hallmark Channel.

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Source: HIS Education