When I finally met Kiefer and the beautiful British actor who played his wife, Natascha McElhone, along with Adan Canto, the actor who plays President Tom Kirkman’s chief of staff.  I was blown away.  We all met at the blocking.  I knew in my heart how this scene that involved my character, the DC appellate judge who swears in Kiefer’s character as the next president of the United States should be played.  In my mind, it was clear.  Somehow I needed Kiefer to know that I have given this a lot of thought and research.  I don’t know what got into me, except that I was passionate about giving my very best to Kiefer and this production.

Your first Hallmark movie was in the recent Christmas film, A Song for Christmas. How did you land that role? What was that experience like? What did you enjoy about working for Hallmark and do you hope to do more with this network?

Yes, Ruth, this was my very first Hallmark film and landing this role was another fluke. “What’s for you…..will come to you.”

Hallmark productions are warm and cozy. They have a small town feel to them and seem to feature good people, who have the salt-of-the-earth kind of personas. Their storylines surround characters that may have lost their way for a while, but somehow find their way back to the goodness that was always there. That is what describes, North Bay and the surrounding small towns and villages in the area. Hallmark is committed to bringing opportunity, work, production, exposure and promotion to an area of Northern Ontario that was for such a long time forgotten. The talent, technical crews, camera people, hair/makeup and wardrobe professionals and the locals are eager to participate in this industry. There is enough work to go around, so being part of a Hallmark production is a good thing.

What is most interesting is…..I was born in Sudbury, which is an old nickel town, one and a half hours north of North Bay. I don’t know what it was like to live there as my family moved to Base Borden shortly after I was born. So going North to shoot this Hallmark movie A Song for Christmas was personally very attractive. The role of Bev was originally awarded to an individual who lived in the North Bay area. The goal of Hallmark was to use as much of the talent and crews from the North as possible. Unfortunately, the woman who was originally cast was not up to the task of the role and they needed to re-cast. I auditioned for the Los Angeles Director, Rich Newey in Toronto, and was booked, to my delight. It was a long four-hour drive up to North Bay from Toronto, but it gave me an opportunity to really see the country, the people, the homes and absorb the feel of a small town again. I cherished this opportunity. The production had taken over a Northern country lodge and I stayed for three days shooting the film and welcoming each day.

The cast was warm and friendly starring Becca Tobin from Glee and Kevin McGarry, both talented singers and actors and direction was clear and on point. I appreciated the gentle direction from Rich, who still allows his actors to put their own spin, however subtle, on a scene. I saw the film and was very happy about the choices that were made and how it was edited. This is a film that a family could watch together and not fear that their children were going to see something that they shouldn’t. Everyone learns something when watching a Hallmark film. It’s not life-changing, but it’s “food for the soul” kind of entertainment.

The word among actors is…..if you do a Hallmark film and they like you, you’ll do more and more. I’m hoping that this is how they saw my work. Of course, I would love to have a more prominent role as either a lead or a guest-starring role, where I could tell a story in beautiful country and be able to somehow bring horses into the picture. Horses are my solace and the crystals in my life. I would like to be able to show the growth of an individual and redeem the essence of the character.

Any other upcoming roles you can mention?

This question is rather painful because I am always joyful when I am working. Yes, I am working on a feature film of which I have been sworn to secrecy. I am not allowed to speak on it except to say……NO COMMENT! Please stay tuned as in time you will see. I’m happy and regretful at the same time.

Since you have children, how has that impacted your career? Have you found it difficult to have this career and still be a mother? Any secrets to share with us about how you can manage your personal and professional time?

Wow, Ruth…..now this is a HUGE question and one that has taught me a very important lesson. First, I need you to know that I have two adult sons that I have raised and loved and scolded and nurtured on my own. I have never married; I chose not to. I had opportunities, but the idea of marrying for convenience and not because of a blissful love was something that I would never consider doing.

I was blessed to experience an amazing and successful single parent adoption of a three-month-old baby boy and also give birth to another healthy full-term baby boy. My sons are my everything, but at times I made career decisions from a mother’s point of view. I never traveled without my sons and I vowed to never work in a different city from where my sons attended school and where we lived. I always tried to put my sons first. I’ve had to do other jobs around my work as an actor to ensure that the mortgage was paid and that our refrigerator was always full. I’ve worked as a private investigator, a catering supervisor, a driver examiner and a background/stand-in actor.

I became an expert with juggling time, but always knew that my boys were the crystal balls in my life that needed to be caught and given a soft landing. Other things in my life had to take a backseat. There was a time when an incredible director, someone that I respected with absolute adoration, offered me a role that I felt I had to turn down because I had promised my younger son a trip to New York City during March break. I couldn’t let him down. He had just recuperated after undergoing a couple of surgeries. This director was Jim Sheridan. The movie was Dream House. I would have been working opposite Daniel Craig, who by the way, has the bluest eyes I have ever seen. Jim had offered to fly both my son and I to and from New York after the completion of the film. With the extra money, I could have taken both of my sons to Cuba for Christmas and still have money in the bank.

I had made the decision of turning down the film because I thought I was being a good mother. About a year later, I found out from my son, that if given the choice, he would have chosen the Cuba option, with New York City happening whenever. I learned that kids are resilient; they adjust and are tougher than we think. I learned that I could have made the decision to do the film and still not disappoint my son. I should have stopped for a moment and thought it through. Instead, I turned down the most generous opportunity of my career in an instant. So, if I could offer advice to other actors with family and children, before making huge decisions that could really affect your career, slow down and think. Consider the pros and cons and come to the decision that really makes the most sense for everyone as a family. Today, I wished that I had taken the movie and had given myself time to figure it out.

Lesson learned. Slow down. Sleep on it. The answers will come.