I’ve never kept it a secret that one of my favorite Christmas movies (or when I just need a pick-me-up) is The Holiday, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026! And this week, major entertainment outlets reported that Apple TV+ is developing a limited series inspired by the film, which tells a story of fresh starts and a house swap between two women from completely different worlds.

The new version, however, will feature original characters, which means we won’t be seeing Amanda (Cameron Diaz), Iris (Kate Winslet), Graham (Jude Law), or Miles (Jack Black) again. The plot will follow the same premise: two women — one British, one American — swap homes during the Christmas season and, in the process, find much more than they expected — including love. But according to Variety, the idea is to tell new stories in the same spirit.

The project is being helmed by Krissie Ducker, a screenwriter known for shows like Killing Eve and Sweetpea. Rob Delaney (Catastrophe) is also on board as a creative consultant. But one absence was immediately felt: Nancy Meyers, who wrote, directed, and produced the original film, is not involved in the adaptation. That might divide opinions, since her unique perspective was essential to the film’s tone and lasting charm.

Released in 2006, The Holiday was a box-office hit, grossing over $200 million worldwide. But its true legacy might be its status as a comfort movie — one that fans return to religiously every Christmas. Now, with the series in development and the cast still unannounced, the question remains: will the spirit of the story hold up without Nancy Meyers at the helm?

And, unsurprisingly, there’s already a bit of controversy. Meyers herself shared a screenshot on Instagram with a blunt caption: “News to me. Imagine my surprise when I opened Instagram and this was the first post I saw.”

The series now highlights a debate that’s become increasingly common in Hollywood: what happens when beloved works are revived without their original creators involved? Meyers’ surprise — finding out just like any fan — only underscores how delicate this territory can be.

Either way, the wheels are in motion. And while the reboot is still in its early stages, fans have time to revisit the original (currently available on Prime Video) — and hope that this new chapter lives up to the charm of one of the most beloved romances of the 2000s.