Next in my series of interviews to promote Love In Design, the original Hallmark movie premiering tomorrow night (September 15th), is my interview with the remarkably talented and dynamically intelligent Danica McKellar. Unlike so many Hallmarkies, I did not grow up watching her on The Wonder Years, but I became a fan of hers because of her Hallmark movies. I have interviewed practically every Hallmark leading man with whom she has filmed (Paul Greene, Cameron Mathison, David Haydn-Jones, Kavan Smith, Andrew Francis, and many more), and without exception, they have always raved about her in the utmost. However, her busy schedule has often precluded us from making a connection. Thanks to the wonderful people at Hallmark and with a little bit of persuasion from her most recent co-star, Andrew Walker, I now present this illustrious and ingenious woman to my readers in anticipation of tomorrow’s premiere!

Photo: Danica McKellar Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman

RH: What is it specifically that attracted you to your character Hannah in Love in Design?

Photo: Danica McKellar Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman

DM: I’ve always loved home improvement and home renovation shows, and I loved the idea of playing the host of one! I love trying new things. I’d never played an actress or a television personality before, and I had never done a “show within a show” before, and that was its own fun challenge: We had the real crew – the real director, producers, camera crew, and the pretend crew, too! And so when you heard “cut!”, you had to remember if it was part of the scene, or if it was the real director ending the scene. And then you’d see the pretend crew getting touched up with makeup, a part of my brain would be like, “Wait, why are they putting makeup on our crew?” Ha! It was pretty hilarious.

Photo: Andrew Walker, Danica McKellar Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman

Since this is the first time you’ve worked with Andrew Walker, how was your experience working with him? How did he make you feel comfortable and set you at ease?

It’s funny, for about a year now, people would say, “Wait, you haven’t worked with Andrew Walker yet? How is that possible? You both do so many Hallmark films!” So I was delighted when I heard Andrew would be my co-star. And he totally lived up to his reputation of being a total sweetheart, a real collaborator and professional, and a great partner on set. I hope we get to do it again sometime!

What do you see as the overall message of the film, and why do you feel that message is important?

Photo: Andrew Walker, Danica McKellar Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman

Hannah and Jeff were high school sweethearts who lost touch and unexpectedly get a second chance. This adorable romantic comedy reminds us that sometimes we need to go back home to find our future, and that even though you and your partner might not always see eye to eye (like how Hannah and Jeff have totally opposite design sensibilities!), if you keep an open mind, you might come together in the most unexpected and delightful way.

Please tease anything you have coming up (Hallmark or otherwise).

In addition to being an actress, I also write math books for kids. I just released two new books in my McKellar Math line, Do Not Open This Math Book, which is an addition/subtraction book for 6- to 8-year-olds, and teaches the new Common Core methods in a fun, accessible way, with cartoons and comic strips. It’s great for kids and baffled parents!

The other book that just came out is Bathtime Mathtime, which is a sweet, math-themed book for toddlers and teaches the very beginning of addition with bright, colorful tabs. All my books can be found at McKellarMath.com.

I’m also about to shoot my Hallmark Christmas movie! I’m very excited about it – this one is called Christmas at Grand Valley and it will be the first Christmas movie I don’t shoot during the heat of summer, ha! Can’t wait to share that with you in a few months.

Photo: Andrew Walker, Danica McKellar Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman

Also, I’ll be live tweeting for the premiere of Love in Design Saturday, Sept 15th at 9/8pmC.

Photo: Danica McKellar Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Brendan Meadows

While I always treasure in-depth interviews with those who honor me with their presence and trust me with their thoughts, there are times when concise responses can exhibit a person’s genuine prowess just as well as (and sometimes better than) lengthy discourses. In the case of Danica, she is such a proficient professional that she has the uncanny knack for packing a massive amount of meat into a precise, elegant pocket. In her brief comments, she promoted her movie in a unique way, gushed about her co-star, emphasized the uplifting message of the film, and still found time to mention her math books and her upcoming Christmas movie (Yay!!). Moreover, she did all of that in her inimitable style! If that’s not the sign of a true craftsman with a heart of gold, I don’t know what is. In fact, to be honest, I don’t know what Danica CANNOT do! I tend to put her in the distinctive category of people in existence on this planet who can unquestionably do anything they want to and do it impeccably. Her determination, creativity, talent, and pragmatism are qualities that have set her apart in a world where conformity and conventionality are the established norm. She readily connects with her fans (and even grants enthusiastic interviews to last-minute journalists who never figured they’d have a chance…namely me!), and she perpetually stimulates and encourages others, along with herself, to continually improve and even try new things. She has almost single-handedly eradicated the stereotype that has subsisted in society far too long regarding girls not succeeding at math, and she continues to challenge everyone to attempt the impossible one step at a time.

I sincerely hope that everyone is tuning into the Hallmark Channel tomorrow (September 15th) night for the premiere of Love in Design where Danica will illuminate the screen with another of her stellar performances that will entertain her viewers and encourage all of us to not abandon the promise of true love and/or our dreams. Additionally, if you have not visited Danica’s links below, please do so as soon as possible and consider following her where you can. If there’s one actress in this world who has demonstrated that women can accomplish whatever they want to and that nothing is impossible, it’s Danica McKellar. And for me, as a single mother who believes strongly in education, positivity, healthy lifestyles, and love, I fully support Danica in her perennial ambition to make this world a better place in whatever way she can. 

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