I am always on the hunt for stand-out supporting characters, especially in Hallmark movies. When I watched Return To Christmas Creek earlier this month, I noticed the character, Nathan, who in some ways, was a bit of comic relief at times. I researched the talented actor who portrayed this role, and I immediately reached out to Byron Abalos for an interview. I was thrilled that he agreed, and I am happy to share our Q & A session with my readers today!
Photo by Denise Grant © Denise Grant
RH: Why did you decide to become an actor? What kind of training have you had?
BA: I knew I wanted to be an actor when I was nine years old. Our school went to watch a musical about the environment and I remember being moved in my seat and thinking, “I want to be a part of this.” The fact that they could tell a story that could affect me personally even though they didn’t know me was like magic. The following year, I auditioned for that same company and got in. I performed with them for four seasons. They also had a talent agency, so I signed up with them as well. I’ve been acting professionally now for twenty-six years, which is a large chunk of my life. When it came time to choose a university, I decided to go to Ryerson University in Toronto because they had a well-renowned program, and I got a full scholarship.
What was your first professional job in the business and what are your memories of it?
My first professional job was a commercial for Cadbury’s Chocolate Fudge Caramilk bars, which I shot when I was ten years old. I had to shave my head for it because I was playing a young Tibetan monk. It wasn’t very common for ten-year-olds to shave their heads back then so that was a pretty dramatic thing for me to do. The commercial played a lot here in Canada so it was fun to have family and friends be excited when it came on.
You have been featured in a few series and movies before your most recent Hallmark movie. Which ones stand out the most to you and why do they stand out?
2018 has been probably the best film/tv year for me. I studied theatre acting, and most of my career has been in independent theatre in Toronto. It’s been fun branching out and doing some fun things. A few projects I worked on this year, which I’m really excited about, I’m not able to talk about. But one of the things I was super excited about was being in a couple of sketches on the show Baroness Von Sketch. It’s a sketch comedy series created by four Canadian women (Aurora Brown, Carolyn Taylor, Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen). It comes from the point of view of women in their forties, and it’s smart, original and hilarious.
Hallmark viewers recently saw you (and loved you) in Return To Christmas Creek. Although it was a supporting role, you seemed to provide some of the lighter moments in the film. What are some of your memories of working on this film, and what did you enjoy most about your role?
Being a part of Return To Christmas Creek was a big deal for me because it’s one of the larger parts I’ve done on camera lately. I’m used to doing larger parts on stage, but haven’t had that much opportunity to really follow a character on camera. It was also the first time that I got to be the comic relief. I love comedy and currently teach at The Second City in Toronto so it was fun to showcase that side of me. Being on set was a joy. Don {McBrearty}, our director, is just a lovely, warm and kind man and the entire cast and crew were fun. Steven Weber was a complete joker, on set so he was really fun to play with. We also shot in northern Ontario, which was just so beautiful in August. On lunch, many crew members would jump into the lake for a quick swim. It was by far the most beautiful place I’ve ever shot anything in.
Any other upcoming roles you can mention?
For TV? Not that I can mention yet. In February, I have a small role in a suspense/horror movie called The Prodigy, which stars Taylor Schilling of Orange Is the New Black fame. On the theatre side of things, 2019 is going to be a big year for me. I’m directing my first professional play, called Good Morning, Viet Mom by Franco Nguyen, and we’re doing the show in Toronto, Mississauga (a nearby suburb) and Victoria, British Columbia. After that, I’m acting in an interactive basketball and theatre piece that I co-created called Monday Nights in Toronto. And in July, my wife Andrea and I are producing a play for young audiences that we wrote called Through the Bamboo.
It seems that things are changing for Asians in the business, but traditionally, Asians seem to be underrepresented in the business. How do you see this changing positively in film/TV?
This is a great question and thank you for asking it! I see progress in some ways, but not in others. In Toronto, when I used to go to auditions, I’d see the same other Asian guys around me because we’d all be going out for the one Asian role. But now, I’m often in the waiting room with people from all sorts of backgrounds. That’s where there’s some progress. Writers, casting directors, directors and agents have a wider view of what’s possible. I played a small role in Designated Survivor (that was eventually cut) and my character’s name was Jack Grimes.
Where I don’t really see progress is in the types and sizes of roles Asians are getting on screen. Outside of Crazy Rich Asians, can you name another North American movie in the past ten years that stars an Asian lead? I bet it’s not easy. We’re often relegated to secondary supporting characters. I joke that a lot of my career on-screen has been being nurses or space technicians. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, but I’d like to also see more of us as leads. Don’t get me wrong though. I’m very grateful. It’s the best time ever to be an Asian actor in North America and hopefully, it only continues to get better.
Do you have plans to do any writing/directing for film/TV in the near future?
I’d definitely like to get into a TV writing room at some point. I recently submitted some scenes for a comedy show already on air, so we’ll see if anything else comes out of that. Since I’ve spent a lot of my career in theatre, I’m only now feeling more comfortable in front of the camera, and I’d like to do a lot more there before heading behind the scenes.
Since Return to Christmas Creek was your first Hallmark movie, what was your experience like with the network? What do you appreciate about this network, and why do you think it is experiencing unprecedented growth?
I had a wonderful time working on this project and with Hallmark and hope to do more with them in the future. I think the network knows their viewers and supporters very well and they have perfected the art of the “Hallmark Movie.” When you watch a Hallmark movie, you generally know what you’re going to get and what they’ve successfully done is to continuously reimagine how you get there.
What I appreciate about it is that it can provide people with an escape from the darkness that can often be so present in our world. Sometimes it’s good self-care to get a little distance from the problems of our lives and the real world. Hallmark movies allow viewers to take a break from the world around them and dive into an idyllic fantasy that espouses positive values. That being said, I think it’s important to always remain connected to our world and to do what we can to make it a more empathetic, kind and generous place. My hope is that people are inspired by the goodness they see in Hallmark movies and bring some of that into the real world.
Does your family have any holiday traditions that you would like to share?
I have two favourite traditions: At Thanksgiving, we gather around the table and each person shares what they’re grateful for. Everyone shares, even the little kids. There’s something so beautiful about expressing gratitude out loud and to having your gratitude be witnessed by your family. It’s something we should really be practicing year round The second tradition I love is that we always spend New Year’s Eve with my grandmother. We treat New Year’s Eve as our Christmas on my mom’s side. That’s when we exchange gifts and eat too much. There’s something beautiful about starting the new year with your family. In my entire thirty-six years, there’s only been one time I haven’t celebrated with her and the tradition continues.
Even though Byron does not have the most extensive role in his first Hallmark movie, there is no denying the fact that his role was noticed and appreciated by the fans. And after chatting with him here, it is easy to understand why. His talent is undeniable, and his attitude is still one that is permeated with humility, kindness, and gratitude. Even after all his time in this career, he has chosen to surround himself with positivity and focus on what is good about his life and the world as a whole. I sincerely hope that we have not seen the last of this artist on the Hallmark network, and I can only hope that as he continues to pursue his passions that more opportunities will open up for him. While I still cannot find any showings for Return To Christmas Creek outside of the U.S., if you have Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, you can keep an eye out for other showings of this film in case you missed it the first time around (or just feel the need to rewatch it). Additionally, feel free to visit Byron’s links below and follow him where applicable. As a traditionally underrepresented ethnic group in the arts, it is a joy to see Byron’s career expanding and more opportunities come his way. I could not be happier for him, and I look forward to supporting his career for many years to come!
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