Interview With Actor Steve Byers, “The Christmas Cure”

By Ruth on November 23, 2017 in Interview, movie, television

After the premiere of The Christmas Cure during the Hallmark Channel’s annual “Christmas in July” programming, I contacted a few of the actors who were involved with the film. Steve Byers is the male lead for this delightful offering, and now that Christmas is upon us yet again and this film is currently getting plenty of air time, I am honored to finally bring you my interview with an actor who is certainly no stranger to Hallmark Christmas films amongst other well-known programming. {You may notice that Steve does have an exhilarating–ahem–sense of humor, so readers may want to take some of his statements with a grain of salt 🙂 }

TORONTO, ON – MARCH 08: Actor Steve Byers arrives at the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television’s 2017 Canadian Screen Awards gala 2 at Westin Harbour Castle Hotel on March 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic)

RH: Why did you decide to become an actor? What kind of training have you had?

SB: I took part in a few school plays in the very beginning. I hated the parts, so I added some of my own twists to them. When we performed, I got some laughs and was bitten by the response of the audience. I really longed for that connection again and began trying to find it however and wherever I could. It got me into trouble now and then, as “class clown” filled that bucket for a while. Eventually, I was able to focus that energy into a local theater company and then finally into a professional career.

According to IMDB, your first role was on the show First Wave with Sebastian Spence. What are your memories of that role and experience?

Sebastian!! It’s too funny as someone on Twitter just brought up that part I had recently. It was frightening and exciting for me. Sebastian is a lovely guy and was very kind while I was walked through the intricacies of also doing a stunt during the scene. He had an issue with his back and they had a stunt performer do a “cowboy switch” with him to hit me with a fire extinguisher. (Essentially switching Sebastian out for a stunt performer mid-swing) I was terrible. But I had to start somewhere right?

I think your first recurring role was on the show Falcon Beach. How did you get involved with that show? For those like me who have not seen this show, please tell us a little bit about your role and the show itself. What did you enjoy most about being on this show?

To be fair, this was my first Lead in a series. It was an ensemble cast and we had an amazing time making that show. I played Jason, a young man who was trying to keep his marina from being taken by the bank or town villain (who happened to be the father of Paige, the girl he loved). He and his best friend Danny would blow off steam wakeboarding or anything else that they could think of that inevitably got them into trouble. So dramatic 😉

I auditioned for it like everyone else. I look back very fondly on this show. It was a great bonding experience with the entire cast and crew and was invaluable as a tool for learning my craft as we went.

You have had recurring roles on several shows, but it seems you are known best for Smallville, Slasher, and the Man in the High Castle. Please comment on your experiences with any of these shows (or all if you prefer.) Also, is there any chance your character will come back to the Man in the High Castle?

“Masquerade” — Steve Byers as Desaad in SMALLVILLE, on The CW Network.
Photo: Jack Rowand/The CW
©2011 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

**SPOILERS**Smallville was a lot of fun as I got to play an evil comic icon. Who gets to say that they slapped Superman that often 😉

Slasher

Slasher was another show where I got to exercise my “bad guy” skills in a delightfully sneaky way. My character Cam is also “the Executioner”. He is a man who assumes the identity of a serial killer and uses it to ravage the town of Waterbury’s residents. The viewers are left to guess who is actually the Executioner until the final reveal at the end. Although very dark and occasionally exhausting, playing the two sides of Cam was a dream role.

Man In the High Castle

As far as MITHC goes, the role was left open in the hopes that Klemm might return, but availability and timing hasn’t worked in our favor. We’ll see!

Hallmark audiences remember you fondly from your first Hallmark film Catch a Christmas Star. What do you like about working for Hallmark, and what did you enjoy most about that film?

I love working for Hallmark because these are the shows I’ve done that my two little girls are actually allowed to watch. The films are always wholesome and entertaining.

It was a lot of fun playing a dad on the film. Even after having two of my own kids, I am always surprised that people will take me seriously as a father figure 😉

I know you also were in Reign just this past season. What was it like being in the final season of this beloved show?

Photo by Ben Mark Holzberg – © The CW Network,

Hot. These costume dramas are very beautiful and a lot of credit should be given to the tireless work of the Wardrobe/ Costume department. Whenever possible they were using heavy authentic fabrics to lend a realism to the show. It worked…but also lent a lot of moisture from me.

During Hallmark’s Christmas in July promotion, we got to see the premiere of The Christmas Cure. How did you get connected with that film? What was it like working with your co-stars? Any behind-the-scenes moments you can share?

The Christmas Cure was a film that came around at just the right time. I’d worked with the producers and John {Bradshaw} the director before as well as Brooke Nevin. All different projects, but it was like a little reunion. Dale {Whibley} was horrible, but everyone else was great and we had a lot of fun shooting a Christmas movie in the middle of summer 😉 Did I mention hot? Yet another sweat warning: Shooting movies that are supposed to play as winter, in the summer…are painful. I was wringing my sweaters out at the end of each day. (You’re welcome for that imagery)

While you have only done Christmas films with Hallmark, do you have hopes to do other Hallmark films? Any plans to do more Christmas films with them or any other networks?

I love to work with Hallmark, so who knows what’s next with them?

Any other upcoming works you can mention?

I am currently working on a video game for Ubisoft called FARCRY 5. It’s a crazy awesome first-person game that is the newest of the franchise. I play Nick Rye and have been fortunate enough to do all of the performance capture for the role. It comes out in February and I can’t wait for fellow gamers to get their hands on it. I’ve also been shooting a show called Shadowhunters that I happen to know our buddy Dale has been on as well. It’s a small world out there, huh?

Do you have any plans to do any writing/directing/producing?

I would love to direct one day and I have written a number of scripts that constantly remind me I need to keep learning. Direction seems to be a more logical step as I have spent hundreds of hours working alongside them in my own craft. I admire directors that have been actors at one time, as I find that they really know how to communicate their wants and needs effectively and in a way other actors understand. Actors are generally strange beasts and it’s always an asset to be fluent in “Strange beast talk”.

How do you manage your professional and family life?

I apologize a lot. I also realize that my career and my sanity would not exist without the rock-solid support of my wife. She and my girls are my everything.

If you could go anywhere for a vacation, where would you go and why?

Sorry…can’t go anywhere, I’m working 😉 Classic rule for an actor is that if you book a plane ticket, work will “get in the way”.

I am constantly intrigued by the vast assortment of male leads featured in Hallmark films. They all come to the network with their unique experience and personality. Still, without exception, they consistently give their best to the role and movie at hand, and the viewers are blessed to regularly interact with such gracious and responsive actors since I know that not all lead actors in the industry are as kind, appreciative and humble as Steve. Furthermore, he brings his signature, sometimes unconventional but endlessly appropriate sense of humor to his persona on and off the screen. In fact, his penchant for not taking himself, nor life too seriously is why I reached out to interview him in the first place. I believe it is quite an art form to be able to keep things light and fun as far too many people in this world are way too serious for their own good. It is consummate professionals like Steve, who have the capacity to provide comic relief while still giving incredible performances that inspire, encourage, entertain, and sometimes even cause us to think on a deeper level. The fact that everyone connected with this production remembers Steve affably and speaks of him admiringly demonstrates his authenticity and ability to expertly and easily collaborate with practically everyone in a business that frequently can be described as fiercely and brutally competitive. Instead, Steve has chosen to be the comedic bright spot who relishes his work and is a genuinely nice guy.

If you have not seen The Christmas Cure, while I am certain that all Hallmarkies will forgive you, there is still time to rectify that before the end of this year. Be sure to check your local listings for this offering on the Hallmark Channel as well as his other Christmas film, Catch a Christmas Star. Additionally, you may wish to investigate all of Steve’s links below as you never know where he may show up next on your television screen (or elsewhere). I look forward to checking out some of his previous works as I feel as though I am completely out of the loop where he is concerned. It is incredibly baffling to me how I have missed his remarkable works over the past few years. Indeed, anyone with his delightful personality and undeniably profound talent, not to mention his altruistic spirit is deserving of the abiding support of all Hallmark fans, and we can hardly wait until this network casts him in yet another delectable production!

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RuthView all posts by Ruth

“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” — Franz Kafka Ruth is an inspirational entertainment journalist who instinctively sees the best in all and seeks to share universal beauty, love and positivity. She is an artist who leads with her heart and gives readers a glimpse of the best of this world through the masterful use of the written word. Ruth was born in Tacoma, Washington but now calls Yelm, Washington her home. She lives on five acres with her parents, a dog, two miniature goats, cats and a teenage daughter who is a dynamic visual artist herself. Ruth interviews fellow artists both inside and outside of the film/television industry. At the core of all she does is the strength of her faith.

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