It never ceases to amaze me at Hallmark’s commitment to not only highlight our favorite Hallmark actors in a variety of winsome, heartfelt films, but they are also enthusiastic about featuring younger and less experienced actors as well. And in the case of Agape Mngomezulu, Hallmarkies are about to welcome him to one of his most significant roles to date in the upcoming Fall Harvest Hallmark Channel premiere, Falling For You (October 6th). This past summer, he and I chatted at length about his career, and I am pleased to share his story and perspective with my readers today.

RH: Agape, I am so glad we get to chat today. I believe I have your wonderful agent to thank for the introduction.

AM: Ruth, it’s nice to speak with you too. And I’m glad they were able to help us make a connection.

Your name, Agape, is rather unusual. Where are you originally from?

Well, I was born in Swaziland in South Africa.

That makes sense. I am familiar with the word itself and its Biblical roots, but I think you’re the first Agape I have encountered. And I was thinking you might have some African ancestry. 

Yes, I lived in Africa for almost eleven years.

So how did you make your way to Canada?

Well, I was about ten years old and my mom was looking to move. She was just looking for a better place for us to live. She considered a few options like England and Florida, but once she came to visit Vancouver, she just loved it. So that’s where we moved. I have a brother and a sister, and we all made our way out here together.

How did you get involved with acting?

I think I got started in high school. I tried a bunch of things out in high school. My school had this system where you could try drama for two weeks, try music for two weeks, try art for two weeks, and so on. I really liked drama, but I didn’t really think too much about it. I just kept taking it up through high school.

In grade nine, I joined the rugby team because I figured that would be fun. But I was five-eight and a hundred and fifteen pounds. We were always playing out in the rain, and I would get sick a lot, so I finally figured it wasn’t for me. After a practice one day, we were walking through the gym, and I noticed the play rehearsals. It looked really cool, so I figured that maybe next year, I would try this theater thing out. And that’s what I did.

So I kept doing theater all throughout high school until I got to grade twelve when I got the lead in the musical. And that was when I knew that this was what I wanted to do because I’m happiest doing it. Right after high school, I went straight into film school.

What was your first professional credit?

After I graduated from film school, about a week later,  I booked a role on Lucifer. It was a non-speaking role. The character’s name was Mr. Vomit. In the episode, there was a high school house party, and I just had to run through the crowd and vomit in this plant. {laughs}

But that is a major show. It was one that got canceled initially and then got picked up for a fourth season on Netflix. So even though that was a non-speaking role, what a way to enter the industry.

While I was in film school, I had learned all these things, and then to step out in a show and actually put them into practice, it was like, “Wow!” Unlike just learning about it in class, everything moves so quickly. And everyone is expected to know what to do. So on my first day on my first ever professional set, I was really just taking it all in.

What a great way to begin. Now, I did get to see you in The Simone Biles Story. And I even remember your character. You were playing one of her brothers, right?

Yes, that is correct.

That movie was fantastic because, of course, I followed her career. So this was a very special movie to watch.

Making this movie was amazing. Before this, I had only seen her as the Olympian, but it was neat to see how she started off and accomplished all that she did. It is such an incredible story.

I always think it has to be something to play an actual living person and act in a movie based on that person’s story. Did you guys have any interactions with the family?

I think one of the days, the main cast, Jeanté Godlock, who played Simone, and Tisha Campbell-Martin and Julius Tennon, who played her parents–those three got to meet their real-life counterparts. That was their opportunity to get a real feel for the people. But myself and Dion Riley, who played the other brother, we didn’t really get a chance to chat with them much. But there was one day where the two parents and Simone were actually on set, and it was just really cool to see them. I was a bit starstruck, I admit.

I can imagine. Simone Biles is an amazing young lady. I think I would have felt very much the same way. And that’s cool that you had that experience.  Now I noticed you were also in iZombie as well as Supernatural. What were those experiences like?

It was great to be on both popular sci-fi shows. But it’s true that Supernatural is amazing! I mean it’s getting ready to start its fourteenth season! And if you are an actor in Vancouver, there is a good chance that you have been or will be on Supernatural.

With both shows, they have quite a fanbase. 

It was so much fun to be on iZombie and Supernatural both. In fact, with both shows, the main cast and crew are just like family because they’ve done so many seasons together.  It’s really fun just jumping into that. Those are some of the biggest shows on TV and on Netflix too. They work really efficiently and yet at the same time, they have lots of fun while they’re doing it. They never give you the feeling that they’re above you or better than you. It is a collaborative feeling between everyone who is there that day on set, which is honestly the best thing.

That’s so cool. And what’s great is I hear that from every person I talk to. Some people might think it’s just one person’s opinion, but everyone from kids, to young actors, to more seasoned professionals…they all love these shows. So I understand you recently filmed your first Hallmark movie, Falling For You.

Yes, I did. It was so much fun.

I’ve talked with several people who are in this film as well. Madison Smith, Matt Visser, Lini Evans, and Alison Wandzura. 

Oh yeah, all great people to work with. And, of course, Taylor Cole is the main star. She is such a wonderful person to work with.

So can you tell us the main premise of the story and your role in it?

Agape Mngomezulu, Taylor Cole Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss

Well, Taylor Cole plays the character Lacey, and I play Ty. Lacey has a radio show, and Ty is a teenage intern who basically helps her around the station. He’s a shy, introverted person. He really has this passion for radios. He secretly has a desire to host himself in the future. Then Tyler Hynes’ character, Zac, comes to town, and Ty steps in and helps him as well. And in helping everyone, he starts to come out of his shell. Now I don’t want to give it away, of course, but you’ll have to watch and see what happens on Saturday.

Being a Canadian who doesn’t have access to the Hallmark Channel, were you aware of the network before you started working on this film?

Oh, definitely. Hallmark does like sixty or seventy productions at least up here a year. So I was familiar with the network, and a lot of the people I know in the business had done Hallmark work.

This being your first Hallmark film, did the on-set experience live up to your expectations?

I did know some of the cast and crew from previous productions, but it was nice to come in as the new kid. But at the same time, for everybody I didn’t know, it’s just a really fun environment. One of the things that is really nice is that the set is always positive. And working with people who had done other Hallmark films made it a fantastic experience as well. We all got to embody the Hallmark spirit. The first day, I was a little nervous. I didn’t know very many people. But halfway through the first day…Tyler is really like his character somewhat in real life. He was very helpful and made sure to say, “Hey, if you need anything, let me know.” I was somewhat familiar with how Hallmark movies and the network works, but all my on-set interactions just reinforced that. And Taylor was just wonderful too. And also the director, Peter DeLuise, was just fantastic. It was great to meet and work with everyone on set.

One of the things I appreciate about Hallmark with this role is that I feel like in a way they did take a chance on me. Obviously, they had seen my audition, and they thought I was the right person for the role. But from my perspective, this is one of the biggest things I’ve ever done. And my biggest concern was that I didn’t want to mess up. I kept telling myself that. But really, they were just very welcoming, and it made me feel like I could do what I needed to do to play this role and have all the support I needed from the cast, crew, and the network. It’s really great to see Hallmark do that because a lot of networks would normally go for the person with the bigger resume as opposed to someone like me who can do the part well but doesn’t have the massive credits to back it up.

Agape, that is something I have appreciated about Hallmark more and more as a network. They do take chances on people and give some actors their first big break. Even if someone has only done some little role here or there, Hallmark might be the network to give someone their first supporting or even main lead. Now, are you aware of the Hallmark fanbase?

I am definitely aware of the Hallmark fans.

I promise that once the movie comes out and if you are able to start interacting with the fans, you will discover, as so many have that Hallmark has some of the best and most loyal fans around. 

Then I can say I’ll look forward to seeing what they think of the movie and my part.

With Crystal Ballint
The Bletchley Circle

I notice you’re also in The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco, which is streaming now on BritBox as well as in Canada and in the UK.  Can you briefly tell us the premise and how your character figures into it?

The story follows four women who worked as codebreakers during WWII. They would break down Nazi messages and decode them. So after the war, these women use their skills to solve mysteries and crimes. Two of the women are from the UK, and they decide to move to San Francisco. The main woman, Iris, is played by Crystal {Ballint}. All of the women have different skillsets and they are able to help each other. I play Iris’ son, Dennis Bearden. You’ll see me in a couple of episodes.

So is the plan for this to be a continuing series with more seasons to come?

We are hoping to get more seasons. It does have the potential to continue on, but for now, it’s just the one season. We’ll just have to see how people receive the show.

Well, it sounds like you have kept very busy, and we’ll definitely look out for Falling For You and also The Bletchley Circle. And we can hope that Hallmark puts you in another movie soon, maybe even a Christmas movie, but I know it might be a little late for that now.

We’ll see. I would certainly love to do a Hallmark Christmas movie. Falling For You was a great first experience, and I hope for many more.

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today, Agape. And I wish you all the best!

Thank you, Ruth. I hope that the fans really like the movie tomorrow night!

Even though Agape is still fairly young and only at the inception of his career, his passion and drive are two qualities that have emboldened him to invest the time and resources necessary in order to excel within his chosen profession. His pragmatism and groundedness are readily apparent, and there is no doubt that his gratitude to Hallmark (as well as the other studios where he has worked) is unbounded. While I have only seen him in one role at this point, I am certain that his adherence to excellence will illuminate the screen tomorrow night (October 6th) as he portrays a vital role in the Hallmark Channel premiere of Falling For You.  His outlook on his career and the business demonstrates wisdom beyond his years, and I tend to think that even more remarkable opportunities are in store for this young man in the near future. In addition to tuning in tomorrow night, I do invite you to check out Agape’s links below while investigating some of his earlier and current works as listed. Agape’s work ethic and natural enthusiasm are elements that I thoroughly appreciate, and I greatly anticipate whatever is next for him in his compelling journey.

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