It is safe to state that Hallmark fans have been in love with the delightfully gifted Lisa Durupt, at least from the time we first saw her opposite Alison Sweeney in the popular Murder, She Baked mystery series. Since that time, Lisa’s roles have been diverse and engaging, and the Hallmarkies have followed her career and enjoyed her works on a variety of networks. But as we know, there is a special connection between her and Nikki DeLoach, so it is quite fitting that Lisa is returning this Christmas with a very special film starring Nikki (who is also the executive producer) which will premiere tonight (November 21st) on the Hallmark Channel, Reunited At Christmas. Recently, I had the opportunity to catch up with this busy lady, and I am quite pleased to share my interview with the fans today.
RH: Since we last chatted, we have seen you in a Garage Sale Mystery film and an episode of UP network’s Date My Dad. While both are different, a lot of the same fanbase watched these. What was special about both of these opportunities?
Garage Sale Mystery
LD: Garage Sale Mystery: A Case of Murder was so fun! Lori Loughlin is a dream to work with – I can see why she is a fan favorite. We spent an entire day in a forest location and it started raining first thing, of course, but she was such a trooper. We hung out in a tiny tent with heaters between takes and chatted about her love of a very specific cookie she can only get in Canada. We also talked about When Calls the Heart and some funny behind-the-scenes details of Full House.
Date My Dad
Date My Dad was kind of a family affair because of all people, Nikki DeLoach knew the writer. Talk about a small world! I also quickly found out I had worked with the director before. Plus, Lilah Fitzgerald had played my daughter in a 2011 film, The Pastor’s Wife.
What turned out to be a bonus was working with Barry Watson. He is so nice, so fun, and just so kind.
The best part, though, was working with Raquel Welch! She and I bonded instantly and I took every opportunity to chat about her amazing career. She is Hollywood royalty, really. Coming from a time that did not include social media or self-marketing, she was and still is a living legend that worked with some of the most memorable actors and actresses in history. She is a stunning vixen that is not shy about being a strong female with class, sass and a brilliant sense of humor. I absolutely loved working with her!
For those who watch Heartland, you had a recurring role in seasons eleven and twelve. I admit to not being current on the seasons, but what do you appreciate about your role on this iconic show?
Heartland with Kevin McGarry
Heartland is a much bigger show than I had realized prior to joining. The first day, I showed up and saw the fans from all over the world lined up down the street outside Maggie’s Diner. I was speechless, but getting to know the cast and crew, plus seeing all the locations we shot at every day quickly helped explain the following. I mean, after twelve years, the cast is like a big family and they welcomed me instantly. The scenery, the animals and the very passionate horse culture is absolutely beautiful – breathtaking, really.
I love that Heartland has been on the air as long as it has and that it has stayed true to an overall goal of creating family television. I appreciate that they treat their cast like family and even when you are working on other projects, they will always work with you to keep you on the show. That is a rare and much-appreciated gesture that is not always the case.
Noel Johansen; Nikki DeLoach; Lisa Durupt Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
This Christmas, Hallmark fans will see you return with Nikki DeLoach in Reunited at Christmas. Please tell us about your role in this film and how it fits into the overall plot of the film. Why was it so special for you to be a part of this film?
Yes!!! DeLoach and Durupt are back! Nothing makes me happier. She is my sister from another mister without a doubt! Nikki called me to ask if I wanted to play her sister… again… and of course I said yes. For Nik? Always yes!
Mike Faiola; Eileen Pedde; Nikki DeLoach; Andrew Airlie; Lisa Durupt; Noel Johansen Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
Nikki came up with a beautiful story about a family that is brought back together over the holidays – after their grandmother passes away and sets up a bit of a treasure hunt for them to follow. I play Annie, Samantha’s (Nikki DeLoach) sister who tries to help her navigate the beautifully awkward scenario of having the whole family back under the same roof for the first time in years. It was Nikki’s first time executive producing (and she crushed it), so I was beyond proud of her, not to mention honored that she included me in the journey!
I notice you’re in a Lifetime Christmas film. Please tell us about that as well.
This was a fun one!
As long as I can remember I have been told, “You kinda remind me of” or “You look like” or “Does anyone ever tell you that you sorta resemble Kristen Bell?” Three times a week, minimum. So it was really cool to work with Tiya Sircar, who actually works with Kristen Bell on The Good Place.
Fun fact: Tiya did not see it. She knows her very well and thought we were both lovely but quite different!
Christmas Lost and Found
Christmas Lost and Found is about Whitney (Tiya Sircar), who comes home to spend time with her Grandma (Diane Ladd) over the holidays, only to make a huge mistake when she throws out a box of Christmas ornaments that have been in the family for years. She gets sucked into helping the local department store owner Gloria (Me) re-design the iconic store windows for the holiday season at the last minute. In the meantime, Grandma takes matters into her own hands to help Whitney see what is really important in life and of course…there may be love in her future.
Working with Lifetime was great. I love that they are adding more and more fun holiday movies to their roster. Tiya was hilarious and so easy to work with, I will be keeping her as a friend for life! Diane Ladd is one of the most professional actors I have ever met. She never missed a line and was always trying to come up with more ways to play with her fellow actors on each take. I loved to just sit and listen to her stories about her iconic career. I was really spoiled.
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
Coming up in 2019:
February
You can check out the comedy Benchwarmers 2. If you remember the original comedy The Benchwarmers with David Spade and Jon Levitz, this will not disappoint. I play ex-pro baseball player Chris Klein’s sassy wife Dana, who does not make life easy for him after their divorce.
March
Hallmark TCA’s
I will be back alongside my other sister from another mister Ali Sweeney, as Gina DeSavio, in her new Hallmark mystery series, The Chronicle Mysteries. I think Hallmark fans will really like this one!
April
Look for the faith-based feature Breakthrough in theatres on Easter weekend. Playing Paula Noble the wife of Pastor Jason Noble, it was my first time portraying a real person in such a moving, true story. I was thrilled to be a part of this A-list cast with the likes of Chrissy Metz, Dennis Haysbert, Josh Lucas and my movie husband Topher Grace.
Season 12 of Heartland will air on both Netflix and UpTV in the spring and my first animation feature, Norm of the North 2 is set to come out before the end of the year.
I understand you have started a new venture as well. Please tell us about your new film school.
Photo credit: JANIS CLEUGHTHE TRI-CITY NEWS
After thinking about it for quite some time, I decided to open a film training and audition training studio in my area – Tricities Film Studio. I have always loved teaching and coaching everything from musical theatre to fitness classes and hockey, so it just made sense. There was a need for a professional facility that was accessible to people living in the cities surrounding Vancouver. The industry is booming here, but people are moving further out of the city for various reasons. I am thrilled with the response and am even more excited that outstanding actress Ellie Harvie has come on board for our next semester.
I am also thrilled to be working with Vancouver’s newest production company, Kafka Pictures, as a producer. Being part of a female owned production company from the ground up is something I am really looking forward to. I am very excited for 2019!
I notice that you are also very active in several charity/social causes. Could you please tell us about these causes that are important to you and why you are active in supporting them?
For the last three years, I have hosted an event called Hockey Helps the Homeless. It is a charity hockey tournament for one day where all the proceeds go right back into the surrounding community to help eliminate homelessness. I am extremely passionate about it as homelessness is a heartbreaking, growing problem that no one should ever have to live through. I believe everyone deserves to have a safe, warm place to live and that it is 100% a human right! As a society, it is our responsibility to help and take care of those that for whatever reason are not able to take care of themselves. Anyone who scoffs at it should note that life is unpredictable, and you never know when you might be the one needing the kindness of others.
I am also a big advocate for the MS Society. Having lived very well with Multiple Sclerosis since the age of sixteen, I believe it is my duty to support others living with it. It is the coolest club of people you never knew you wanted to be a part of. The more we can all support each other, the better the chances are that people living with MS can have a great quality of life.
Lisa Durupt; Eileen Pedde Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
Hallmark fans are hopeful that you will have the opportunity to sing more whether in film or maybe a recording. Is this something that you are considering?
Well, you never know. At the moment no, but thank you! If anyone has any ideas, I would do it in a heartbeat! I do sing a heck of a lot in my car, though, watch out!
What are some of your favorite family traditions for Christmas that you would like to share?
To this day, I live for waking up early, making coffee with my hubby (with Bailey’s, of course) and walking our dog in the snow on Christmas morning at the local park. There are so many of other people out and everyone is so happy. It fills my heart. Working on a Wasjig puzzle in front of the fire and then tuning in to watch the start of the World Junior Hockey Tournament the next day with family is by far the best it can get!
I cannot tell you just how much I adore Lisa’s work on so many levels. She was one of my very first interviews way back when, and the kindness she continues to demonstrate towards me is something I continue to cherish. No matter the role she is playing, viewers can always count on a meticulous development of her character, a comprehensive embodiment of the role, and an impressively authentic performance from her. And through all of this, she remains a beacon of light who shines on and off the screen. It is easy to see why she and Nikki have such a profound kinship because they both share a nature of humility, an incredible work ethic, and an eagerness to spread joy and love to as many people in this world through whatever means is afforded them. Without hesitation, I declare that Lisa is a role model for other young women who may be inclined to pursue a career in the world of entertainment, and the fact that her career continues its outward and upward expansion is a testament to who she is as an actress and as a person.
I hope that everyone makes plans in the U.S. to tune in tonight (November 21st) to the Hallmark Channel for the premiere of Reunited At Christmas. Canadian viewers will be able to see this movie on December 24th on the W Network. Additionally, if you have not had the opportunity to check out Lisa’s other works, be sure that you click on all her links below and follow her where applicable. Lisa is one of those extraordinary actresses whose obvious expertise illuminates the screen in such a distinctive way that viewers are enraptured with her and cannot help but embrace this transcendental connection she consistently has with her fanbase. Her positive aura inspires all who see her on screen, and I can only hope that one of these days she will finally get that much-anticipated, highly deserved leading role in a Hallmark movie (and one where she can have the opportunity to do some more marvelous singing). Regardless, her fans all over the world will persist in singing her praises and spreading her renown near and far.
Andrew Airlie; Mike Faiola; Nikki DeLoach; Noel Johansen; Lisa Durupt; Eileen Pedde Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
Andrew Airlie; Eileen Pedde; Santa Clause; Lisa Durupt; Noel Johansen; Nikki DeLoach; Mike Faiola Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
