Last Christmas, Hallmark produced a movie that became an instant favorite in our household–Christmas Next Door. I was pleasantly surprised by the performances of all actors involved, and the story was decidedly memorable. I reached out to interview Liam MacDonald (who, incidentally, played Liam in the movie), and at the time, he was a particularly busy stage actor in addition to his fledgling TV/film career. We connected earlier this year, and while I planned on sharing this interview prior to this month, with the premiere of Good Witch season four finale happening this evening (July 1st), I am proud to share my interview with this promising, steadily rising talent from Toronto.

RH: Liam, so nice to speak with you.

LM: Thank you, Ruth, so happy to be speaking with you too.

When did you first start acting, Liam?

I always liked movies and TV, and my sister was an actor. She was auditioning for a professional theatre production and convinced me to audition as well. I was six years old and got the role of Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. We were both cast in that show, actually. It was the only time we ever acted professionally together. I loved that experience but spent the next few years focusing my time on sports. I started acting again at age eleven and was connected with an agent just over a year ago at age twelve. Things started getting busy at that point.

Do you remember what the first thing was that you booked?

The first thing I booked was a commercial, followed by a couple more commercials. The one I’m most proud of is a commercial for Star Wars Battlefront II. I was so lucky to be a part of that project and I’ve been nominated for a Young Artist Award for my role.

And your first movie was 48 Christmas Wishes, right?

from 48 Christmas Wishes

Yes, that’s right.

Did that ever air on TV, or is it just available online?

I understand it did air on TV, but it is also available on Netflix {and other streaming services as well}.

What can you tell us about your role in that movie?

I played the role of Blake, who was grieving the loss of his father at Christmas time. Blake meets a couple of elves from the North Pole after a series of mishaps. Blake helps the elves while they also help Blake and his family to heal. It’s a movie that young kids and families can enjoy.

Last Christmas, Hallmark audiences got to see you in Christmas Next Door.  Did you know about either of the stars {Jesse Metcalfe and Fiona Gubelmann} before you made this film?

When I first met Jesse Metcalfe, I had done some research about him, so I kind of knew who he was.

That was smart of you to do that research before you started working with them. I will tell you that Christmas Next Door was a favorite in our family this past Christmas, and with Christmas in July playing on the Hallmark network this month, people might be able to see it again or for this first time, if they haven’t already.

Jesse Metcalfe, Fiona Gubelmann, Jenna Weir, Liam MacDonald Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ben Mark Holzberg

I really want to thank everyone for their support with the film. It was such an amazing and fun experience, and I’m so glad I got the chance to do it. It was so great and everyone treated me so well when I was on set, from the director to the producers to the actors and crew members. And especially Jesse and Fiona and Brittany {Bristow} were so nice to me. We had a lot of fun on set and Jenna Weir, who played my sister, is still a good friend.

That is so good to hear, Liam. I hear that a lot from Hallmark sets anyway. Now, I think you have been in some theater productions recently. What can you tell me about those?

After I finished shooting Christmas Next Door, I was cast in a professional theatre production called The Last Christmas Turkey at Theatre Orangeville which is where I got my start in acting. The movie shoot actually overlapped with the theatre production, so it was a busy time. It was a musical and a great experience because the people at Theatre Orangeville are like my family.

Fun Home

I began rehearsals for a Musical Stage Company and Mirvish production called Fun Home in March. I played the role of John Bechdel and got to sing and dance in a casket in one scene. This was a heavy story to be a part of and a true story based on the graphic novel by Allison Bechdel. It helped me grow as a performer. This production brought together some amazingly talented people and after it closed on May 20th, we had many award nominations and wins. I was honoured to be nominated for a Dora Award with my cast mates.

Any other upcoming works you can mention?

Good Witch

Yes, I had the honor of appearing in the finale of season four Good Witch. Getting to meet Catherine Bell and James Denton and work with them was just the best. They were both very kind. James shared some acting tips and advice with me that I have taken very seriously.

I have also just finished my first voice acting role on a new animated series called Xavier and I am beginning a new movie shoot this week. It’s another Christmas movie, but this time, I will play a child that is battling cancer.

In your free time, what do you like to do?

I used to play a lot of sports, but I don’t have a lot of time for sports now. But I still like to play sports when I can.  I am currently on a traveling baseball team but I will probably be missing some games with my upcoming movie shoot. I don’t like to let my team down so I have to really think about committing to a team in the future. When I’m not acting, I’m usually going to school or at home or with my friends. I like to snowboard and golf when I can. I really don’t have much time for these things though.  I am really happy to focus on my acting, so I’m good with that.

Yet again, Hallmark has kept its consistent track record of finding not only the most talented children in the business but the most grounded and pragmatic as well. Liam is young, but there is no doubt where his true passion lies. Whenever he is given a role, whether in the theater. television, or film, he commits to it with a professional maturity that not every young man his age can marshal. Additionally, he does all he can to prepare for each role and attempts to glean as much as he can from every experience. He keeps up with his schoolwork as well (he is in a gifted, artistic program at a school in Ontario that sounds incredible to me), and he continues to live the life of a “normal” kid when he can. I greatly commend his family (especially his mom) for supporting him in all of his endeavors, and I know for a fact that without the unconditional encouragement of those closest to him, there would be no way conceivable for him to be encountering the success he is enjoying today. 

If you have not had the opportunity to watch Christmas Next Door, be sure that you watch out for it during Christmas Keepsake Holiday Preview on the Hallmark Channel July 13th-22nd, as this acclaimed 2017 offering is showing three times (check local listings for dates and times), and it is one well worth checking out whether for the first or fiftieth time. In addition to this, don’t forget to tune in tonight (July 1st) to see Liam make a special guest appearance on the season four finale of Good Witch on the Hallmark Channel (you were planning to watch anyway, right??). And if you have a moment, please visit all of Liam’s links below and consider following him where applicable. While I cannot guarantee success for this young man as the entertainment business can be quite fickle and unpredictable at times, I do know that with his fierce determination and dedication to honing his skills and making himself available for such quality productions as he has had the opportunity for involvement so far, the possibilities for him are endless as he maintains his infectious spirit of optimism and commitment to excellence as the years pass. I can only hope for him that one of these days, I will be one of many who will get to stand off to the side and say, “And to think I knew him when…”

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