US cable channel Lifetime is being sued by a couple after they were called “ugly” in the festive TV movie Christmas Harmony.

Setiam and Katherine Allah sent out 50 family portraits to friends and family, one of which found its way to the set of the film, which premiered in November 2018. In the offending scene, lead character Harmony attaches the picture to a wall but is told by her love interest to remove it. She protests and he responds: “They’re ugly.”

After the film aired on 9 November 2018, the Allahs reportedly received embarrassed calls from friends and family who said they easily recognised them.

In the lawsuit, the Allahs claim the picture was used without their permission and “insulted for cheap laughs” and they are suing for all of the film’s profits.

Christmas Harmony focuses on a songwriter who is dumped by her pop star boyfriend and then finds love back in her hometown. It was one of many festive films premiering on the channel last year alongside A Very Nutty Christmas with Melissa Joan Hart and Every Day is Christmas with Toni Braxton.

Lifetime and the Allahs have been sought for comment.