The Santa Clauses

### Executive Producers

Jack Burditt, Tim Allen, Jason Winer, Jon Radler, Rick Messina, Richard Baker and Kevin Hench

### Production Companies

Double Wide Productions
 Small Dog Picture Company
 20th Television

### Original Release

November 16, 2022 - December 14, 2022

**The Santa Clauses** is an American television series created by Jack Burditt.

It focuses on Scott Calvin who is about to turn 65, and realising he can't be Santa forever, sets out to find a suitable replacement.

The series premiered on Disney+ on November 16, 2022 and aired for one season until December 14, 2002.

## Plot

Scott Calvin is on the brink of his 65th birthday and realizing that he can't be Santa forever. He's starting to lose a step in his Santa duties, and more importantly, he's got a family who could benefit from a life in the normal world, especially his teenage son and daughter. His adult son grew up in Lakeside, Illinois while his two teenagers grew up at the Pole. With a lot of elves, children, and family to please, Scott sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in a life south of the pole.

## Cast and Characters

### Main

* Tim Allen as Scott Calvin / Santa Claus
* Elizabeth Mitchell as Carol Calvin / Mrs. Claus
* Austin Kane as Buddy "Cal" Calvin-Claus
* Elizabeth Allen-Dick as Sandra Calvin-Claus
* Matilda Lawler as Betty
* Devin Bright as Noel
* Rupali Redd as Grace Choksi
* Kal Penn as Simon Choksi / Santa Claus
* Gabriel Iglesias as Kris Kringle

### Recurring

* Isabella Bennett as Edie
* Sasha Knight as Crouton
* Izaac Wang as Hugo
* Laura San Giacomo as La Befana
* Liam Kyle as Gary
* Ruby Jay as Riley

### Guest Stars

* Eric Lloyd as Charlie Calvin
* Peyton Manning as Himself
* David Krumholtz as Bernard
* Mitch Poulos as Saint Nicholas of Myra
* Mauricio Mendoza as Papa Noel / Santa Claus
* Dirk Rogers as Krampus
* Jim O'Heir as Santa Claus XVII
* Casey Wilson as Sara

## Production

### Development

In January 2022, it was announced that a limited series that would serve as a legacy-sequel to The Santa Clause films was in development, with Tim Allen reprising his role in addition to serving as executive producer. Initially given the working title of "The Clauses", the project was conceptualized with intent for a streaming release exclusive to Disney+. Jack Burditt serves as showrunner and executive producer, while Jason Winer is a director in addition to serving as an executive producer.

According to Allen, “It originally had a lot of otherworldly characters, and ghosts, and goblins. I said no, this is Christ-mas. Its Christ-mas. It literally is a religious holiday. We don’t have to blow trumpets, but I do want you to acknowledge it. That’s what this is about. If you want to get into Santa Claus, you’re gonna have to go back to history, and it’s all about religion.” On December 14, 2022, The Santa Clauses was renewed for a second season, with Tim Allen and Elizabeth Mitchell set to return.

### Casting

Tim Allen and Elizabeth Mitchell were announced to be reprising their roles as Scott Calvin / Santa Claus and Carol Calvin / Mrs. Claus, respectively. In addition, Kal Penn joined the cast as a character named Simon Choski. Elizabeth Allen-Dick, Tim Allen's real life daughter, had been cast in her acting debut as Scott's daughter. Austin Kane, Rupali Redd and Devin Bright also joined the cast. Matilda Lawler joined the cast as a series regular. In late July 2022, it was confirmed that David Krumholtz would be reprising his role as Bernard, while the following month, Laura San Giacomo was announced to be portraying the Christmas Witch. On February 24, 2023, Eric Stonestreet joined the cast in undisclosed capacity while Marta Kessler was cast to guest star for the second season. Three days later, Gabriel Iglesias was cast as a series regular for the second season.

### Filming

The series began filming in March 2022 in Los Angeles, with JP Wakayama serving as the cinematographer. Filming wrapped in June 2022. Production for the second season began in February 2023.

### Music

In November 2022, it was revealed that Ariel Rechtshaid would compose the score for the series.

## Release

The Santa Clauses was released on November 16, 2022 on Disney+, with its first two episodes available immediately.

The first 2 episodes made its linear premiere on Freeform on December 16, 2022 followed by airings on FX on December 17, 2022, ABC on December 24, 2022 and on Disney Channel on December 25, 2022.

## Reception

### Critical Response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 57% of 21 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6 out of 10. The website's consensus reads: "The Santa Clauses is a bit ho ho ho-hum as a continuation of the holiday franchise, but it's hardly a lump of coal thanks to Tim Allen's spirited return as Father Christmas, along with a dash of yuletide nostalgia." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 55 out of 100 based on six critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".