If anyone remembers the Hallmark favorite movie, A Perfect Bride, from a couple of years ago, which starred the dynamic duo, Kavan Smith and Pascale Hutton, you just might remember Debs Howard. Whenever I rewatch that film, I always remember her as the one who yelled, “I like stomach crunches!” And you just felt like turning to her and chiding, “Would you tone it down, missy?” 😁 Fast-forward to 2018, and she is in two Hallmark Christmas movies! And recently, I had the opportunity to catch up with this up and coming actress yet again!
RH: Since we last spoke, you appeared in an episode of The Good Doctor. What was your experience like working on that show?
DH: The Good Doctor was amazing! I secretly would love to be a doctor, but don’t think I could ever handle that much schooling (or blood, or needles….. maybe I shouldn’t be a doctor!), so getting on the show may be the closest I’ll ever get. Antonia Thomas was so welcoming and friendly and let me talk her ear off in the green room about how much I think I suck at networking events. I didn’t get a chance to meet Freddie Highmore because we didn’t have any scenes together, but I would have loved to because I was a huge Bates Motel fan! All in all, incredible cast, lovely crew. I would have loved to work more on that show!
Travelers
I believe you were also in an episode of Travelers. Please tell us about your experience with that show.
I’m worried I sound like a broken record here by just saying how I had a great time on every TV show, but it’s the truth! Travelers was wonderful. I loved Will & Grace growing up, so it was really wonderful to meet Eric McCormack in person, and he was so down-to-earth and kind. The character was sort of a fun one for me because she’s so different than what I usually play or who I am. My character, Stacey Collins, was a small-time leader of a Faction group, and so I got to be one of the bad guys. I got to have a little more sass and attitude than the usual quirky girl-next-door kind of role I get (which I also love!).
I understand that you are in two Christmas films this year. Please tell us about each film and describe your role on each. Any special memories from filming?
I am lucky enough to be in two Hallmark Christmas movies this year. One is called Mingle All The Way, starring Jen Lilley and Brant Daugherty. I play Jeff’s (Brant Daugherty) ex-girlfriend named Ashely Brock, who there seems to be a lot of talk about throughout the film until I am introduced in person. Molly (Jen Lilley) is unsure of where things are going with Jeff, and once Ashley shows up to a party they’re both at, Jen’s feelings become more clear. And so do Jeff’s.
Small Town Christmas cast
In Small Town Christmas, I play Hayley, who is eight months pregnant and has sort of a sister-brother-like relationship with Emmett, played by Kristoffer Polaha. His old flame Nell comes back to town (Ashley Newborough), and they are confronted with issues of their past relationship and also what to do about new plans to develop the town into a more modern cosmopolitan destination spot. Hayley is Emmet’s favourite (and only) employee of his beloved bookstore that he doesn’t want to see changed, and she supports him fully. I had SUCH a blast on this set. We (the entire main cast) played some highly competitive games of Pictionary between scenes, and on nights off, we all often all went out to Escape Rooms with the director (MacLaine Nelson) as well, and his hilarious wife Claire. All the fun was had.
Before doing these two Hallmark movies, what did you know about Hallmark Christmas movies? How does it feel to be a part of the network’s Christmas films?
Linda Sorensen, Ashley Newbrough, Debs Howard Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
Oh, I’ve known about Hallmark Christmas movies for years! They’re the perfect movies to watch bundled up in a blanket with a warm mug of hot chocolate and the fireplace going. They’ve been a guilty pleasure of mine around the holiday season for a while now! It’s wonderful to be able to embrace the holidays with these fun stories that are always centered on love and family. I am so grateful to the Hallmark network for allowing me to be a part of their Christmas movie extravaganza, and hope to do more in the future!
Any other upcoming/current works you would like to mention?
Daniel Bacon, Linda Sorensen, Ashley Newbrough, Debs Howard Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
I am currently working on a Lifetime mystery movie called Woman On The Brink, which is sure to keep viewers guessing until the very end, and am lucky to be working alongside tons of the same crew members that were on Small Town Christmas, so it’s been a fun reunion!
I am SUPER excited about A.M.I. coming out. It’s a horror/thriller/black mirror-esque type movie that highlights some very real issues in today’s world – social media, mental health, technology, and loneliness, as well as the importance of love and family. I was fortunate enough to land the lead role of Cassie in that movie. We all put a lot of heart, sweat, and tears into that one and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!
What are some of your family holiday traditions?
My family is spread out all over the place–the US, all across Canada, and the UK–so it’s so special for us even to be together for the holidays. Family is absolutely the most important thing in my books, and so seeing them, spending time with them is all I could really ever want for Christmas and I’m so lucky when it happens.
A new tradition that was started over the last couple of years is that my boyfriend INSISTS on us going snowmobiling on Christmas Day, so I bundle up as many layers as possible until I look like the Michelin Man, and head out to the mountains with him.
Photo Credit: Rebecca and Lindsay
Favorite holiday food: Does a nice glass of red wine count? It’s made of grapes?
Favorite holiday movie: A Christmas Story… or Elf… or… Small Town Christmas… or Mingle All The Way… How do I choose!?!?
Favorite holiday drink: Please refer to favourite food above 😉
Favorite holiday activity: This is a tough one… I love going tubing in the snow, and meeting up with friends and family I may not have seen in a while, or just sitting by the fireplace. Basically, anything that involves loved ones!
What is your favorite holiday memory?
Oh boy! It’s so hard to pick. My heart is so full from so many moments with family. But last year, I got a great kick out of seeing my agent’s face when he opened up his Christmas card from me. I had compiled a few photos from films or tv shows that I had booked with him that year, and the photos were all screenshots from the shows. But they weren’t cute. They were the kind of stills that you see when you randomly pause a show you are watching and the actress has one eye half closed, mouth open and a massive double chin. I found all the funniest faces I made on that show, took photos, and gave them to him. #ProudAgent? We both got a kick out of it!
Photo Credit: Marc Boily
One of the things I have continuously appreciated about Debs is that she doesn’t take herself too seriously. Granted, when she is working on a film or a show, she thoroughly immerses herself in the role and always shines as whatever character she is blessed to portray. But when she’s not working, she understands how to enjoy life and truly connect with those around her. She has a delightful sense of humor that is often self-deprecating (I value that highly as I do that myself…in spades), and everyone who has ever worked with her consistently speaks very enthusiastically of her both personally and professionally. The fact that she is quickly becoming a part of a core group of supporting leads at the Hallmark network (and elsewhere) is a testament to that giftedness she displayed back in The Perfect Bride. Thankfully, however, she has remained as sweet, pragmatic, and humble as she was back then, and there is honestly no predicting how far her career may soar from here.
Please tune in for both of Debs’ Hallmark Christmas movies this year, if at all possible. Mingle All the Way premieres on the Hallmark Channel December 1st (December 8th on the W Network in Canada), and Small Town Christmas premieres on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on December 16th (no Canadian air date as of yet). Additionally, be sure that you visit all of Debs’ links below and consider following her on social media if you are so inclined. As her career continues its steady upward progression, I can only hope that a leading role in a Hallmark movie is in the cards for this tremendously skilled young lady. Furthermore, I can assure you that the Hallmark fans will applaud and support her in whatever way we can in the weeks, months, and years to come.
FOLLOW DEBS
Canadian Premiere: W Network December 8th
