Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas, airs on ABC this December, offering a dramatized retelling of the story of Mary and Joseph.
As of December 2025, Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas is one of the most-talked-about holiday specials. A blend of faith, storytelling, and the star power of Kevin Costner, it is set to premiere on ABC on December 9 at 8 p.m. ET. Following its broadcast, the special will be available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
The two-hour-long special is a story of the Journey of Mary and Joseph. Instead of a traditional role, Costner serves as a presenter/host, guiding audiences through the story. Here is all you need to know about it.
What is Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas About?
At its core, the special is a dramatized retelling of the biblical nativity, the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, the hardships they faced, and the birth of Jesus.
However, rather than a straightforward biblical epic, Costner, the host, frames it as a storytelling journey: part history, part spiritual reflection, part cinematic spectacle.
While on the red carpet of Art of Elysium’s 2025 Heaven Gala at the Rosewood Miramar in Montecito, California, the actor told PEOPLE:
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It’s a story I think we all think we know. I think maybe some of us know a lot, maybe you know just a little, maybe you’re a believer, maybe you’re a cynic or maybe — hopefully — you’re just curious to find out the real story that’s behind the tradition.
This suggests that the special will be more than just a narrative retelling, not just for believers, but for anyone curious about how the Christmas story shaped culture and why it continues to resonate.
A way to understand the true meaning of Christmas, the special will touch upon everything from the journey beset by hardship and danger to the hopeful scene of birth, and the promise of light in darkness.
Who Stars in Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas?
Apart from Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Costner serving as the narrator and guide throughout the special, the two-hour-long story features several actors portraying the many characters from the biblical tale.
Directed by David L. Cunningham, here is the complete list of the cast (via IMDb):
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Kevin Costner | Self – Host |
| Gia Patel | Mary |
| Ethan Thorne | Joseph |
| Corinne Furman | Rachel Young |
| Paulina Gálvez | Raya |
| Mohamed Zouaoui | Joachim |
| Chaouqi Abdellatif | Asher |
| Saif Al-Warith | Angel Gabriel |
| Anthony Barclay | King Herod |
| Alejandro Barrios | Legionnaire |
| Abdellatif Chaouqi | Asher |
| Robert Goodman | Simeon |
| Ché Grant | Antipater |
| Kods Joundoul | Anne |
| Marco Lo Chiatto | Angel |
| Sinan Sicimoglu | Panthera |
| Stefano Venturi | Priest |
| Alin Wishka | Heli (Joseph’s father) |
Since this is a presenter-led special, much of the emphasis is on Costner’s voice and framing as he delivers the grand story. One among the many 2025 holiday specials, it promises drama, faith, and holiday spirit.
What are your thoughts about the upcoming TV special? Would you stream it or skip it? Let us know in the comments below.
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