The Facts of Life cast is reuniting, but it’s not for a reboot of the iconic ‘80s sitcom. Instead, the stars of the long-running series are coming together for a new holiday movie that will air on Lifetime in December. 

‘You Light Up My Christmas’ premieres December 1 

The latest addition to the “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” lineup comes from executive producer and star Kim Fields — aka Dorothy “Tootie” Ramsey. She’ll share the screen with her The Facts of Life co-stars Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn, and Nancy McKeon in You Light Up My Christmas. It airs Sunday, December 1 at 8/7c on Lifetime. 

In the movie, which is inspired by true events, Emma (Fields) returns to her hometown, which is built around her family’s pioneer Christmas Light Factory, two weeks before Christmas. However, upon her return, she discovers the lights have gone dim in the once festive town, prompting her to reconnect with an old flame (Adrian Holmes) to set their hearts and the town ablaze with light again.

Kim Fields says it’s been ‘amazing’ to work with her ‘sisters’ 

Fields says that once the opportunity presented itself, reuniting with Whelchel, Cohn, and McKeon was a no-brainer. The actresses appeared together on the NBC show from 1979 to 1988. (McKeon joined the cast in 1980.)

“We’re sisters. We have a ball when we get to hang out personally and holidays are about family, memories and fun,” the actress said. “So, when the opportunity came up to combine all of that with You Light Up My Christmas, I invited Lisa, Mindy and Nancy to make some fun, Christmas cameos and was thrilled they all enthusiastically jumped on board.” 

“It’s been amazing to work together again and have the ladies’ input on their characters, from their wardrobe to their names, as well as provide fun inside jokes for fans,” she went on to say. “We truly are a family so it was great to work together on something new!”

Sadly, one notable Facts of Life star won’t be in the movie. Charlotte Rae, who starred as housekeeper Edna Garrett for seven seasons, wasn’t available for You Light Up My Christmas. She died in 2018 at age 92. However, Rae will be there in spirit, Fields said, explaining that she asked production to name the ice-skating rink in the movie after the actress, who also appeared on Diff’rent Strokes.

Fields told People that even though The Facts of Life ended more than 30 years ago, the cast is still close. She recalled going to a concert last year with McKeon, a pizza party with Cohn, and promotional events with Whelchel. 

You Light Up My Christmas is one of more than two dozen new holiday movies that will air on Lifetime this year. The annual programming event kicks off on Friday, October 25 at 8/7c with Sweet Mountain Christmas and concludes Sunday, December 22 at 8/7c with A Date By Christmas Eve. You can see the entire schedule on the Lifetime website.