I always make the claim that Hallmark consistently selects the best young actors for their productions. And in the case of the upcoming Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film, Christmas At Grand Valley, that is decidedly true. Recently, I connected with Gage Graham-Arbuthnot, who plays the son of Brennan Elliot‘s character in the film, and I discovered that this movie will not mark the first time I have seen this young man in action. In anticipation of Friday’s premiere (it was supposed to have premiered in Canada already, but I’m not certain if it did), I am happy to share our interview with my readers.
RH: Why did you decide to become an actor? How old were you when you first started acting? How old are you now?
First Headshot
GGA: When I was really young, whenever my Mom read to me, I would act out the story. I loved playing dress-up and make-believe and putting on little shows with my stuffed animals. People kept asking my Mom if I was an actor. I was often told that I looked like Ralphie from A Christmas Story. It’s funny; now I’ve been in three Christmas movies, so maybe they were right.
on the set of Terrific Trucks when the stunt air cannon was being used
When I was six years old, my Mom sent my picture to a talent agent and we got signed. I started auditioning and I booked my first real job, a TV commercial, from my first audition. I am nine now and I’ve been working ever since. It was truly like a fairytale come true. I couldn’t be happier.
What was your first TV/movie role and what are your memories of that role?
With Matt
Terrific Trucks
My first role was in the Terrific Trucks Save Christmas. I got to do a funny scene with the star {Matt Baram} where he was dressed like a giant Christmas tree.
On the set, everyone was incredibly nice and helpful. I even got to watch the stunt crew set off an air cannon full of glitter confetti. It was hilarious, messy and really, really loud! And I really remember the craft truck. There was so much food! My mom said not to say that. Oops! 😉
You were on Designated Survivor (one of my favorite shows). What do you remember about being on that show?
Designated Survivor
Keifer {Sutherland} was super nice! The set was incredible! It looks exactly like the White House complete with flowers in the window boxes and everything! Backstage, I even saw material backdrops of cityscapes that were so realistic it was like you were there. It messed with my head!
You had a recurring role on Condor? What was it like being on a darker show like that? Any chance your character could come back for season two?
With Max
Condor
Working on Condor was a dream come true. Max {Irons} was a blast. He would wrestle and play with me just like a brother. Kris{toffer Polaha} and Kristen {Hager} were both so sweet. Even though some of the scenes were sad, I really like doing them because I’m an actor and I know it’s a character. I cried in the scene where I’m told my Dad (Kris) had died. I felt so close to all the actors that it was easy to be sad for the scene. It was never scary for me. Later, I even got to work with a stunt coordinator to do my own stunt! In the scene where I fall out of my treehouse, I leaned back and he scooped me off the ladder and set me on the ground.
Condor
Jason {Smilovic} and Todd {Katzberg}(the show’s creators) made the set so much fun to be on, it was incredible. I hope they will invite me back for Season two. I’d love to work with Max and Kristin and everyone again!
You were in Autumn Stables earlier this year. What did you enjoy about that film?
The whole cast and crew were super, but I think the most fun thing was working with the horse. It was amazing! It was so well-trained that it could do tricks better than any dog I have ever met. It was so gentle, I even got to snuggle its nose.
You’re in two Hallmark Christmas movies this year: A Veteran’s Christmas and Christmas At Grand Valley. What did you know about Hallmark movies before making these?
Amanda Lisman, Gage Graham-Arbuthnot, Eloise Mumford, Sean Faris, Jenna Weir Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
I mainly knew about Hallmark from the birthday cards I had gotten. But everyone I told got so excited when I said I was doing a Hallmark movie, so I knew it was something special for people. Now I know they make wonderful movies that celebrate happiness, love and the importance of family. I love them! And I find it funny that my Mommy always cries when she watches them with me, but she says they’re tears of joy.
Please tell us about your two Christmas movies including your role and any memories you may have about making them.
A Veteran’s Christmas
In A Veteran’s Christmas, I play Tyler. He’s really excited and into Christmas. I remember when we were shooting the church scene and it was actually really hot even though it was supposed to be Christmas. That was pretty funny.
In Christmas At Grand Valley, Max is a fun-loving kid. He’s adorable, but kind of awkward too. He really loves his Dad and really wants him to be happy. My “sister”, Hattie Kragten, and I are trying to push Brennan Elliott and Danica McKellar together. It was so nice working with Brennan and Danica. They took the time to teach me lots of stuff about acting. I learned so much from them.
Gage Graham-Arbuthnot, Hattie Kragten, Brennan Elliott, Danica McKellar Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ben Mark Holzberg
My favourite scene was the skating scene. I got to do my own stunt, again! I was really on skates and got to go skating around on the ice and the fall down onto mats.
Also, I got to celebrate my birthday on set! The whole cast and crew surprised me with my absolute favourite cake…a Carrot cake! They all sang “Happy Birthday.” So I got to act and have a birthday party. Best birthday ever!
Any other upcoming roles you can mention?
Nothing I can say yet, but waiting to hear on a couple things. Fingers crossed. For my latest updates follow me on Instagram (link below).
Hattie Kragten, Gage Graham-Arbuthnot, Brennan Elliott Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ben Mark Holzberg
What are your favorite holiday traditions?
Every year we go out as a family and cut down our own Christmas tree. This year I was big enough to use the handsaw by myself. We also always bake cookies together and I love when I can snuggle with my Mom while my Dad reads Twas the Night Before Christmas. We all know it so well, we can all just say the lines it.
Also, every year we pick out a family ornament that represents the year. Last year, it was a popcorn box ornament to celebrate being on TV and movies. This year, we bought The Christmas Story ornament, from Hallmark, of course!
Hattie Kragten, Gage Graham-Arbuthnot Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ben Mark Holzberg
I remember how impressed both Danica and Brennan were with Gage on set (be sure to come back later this week for my interview with Brennan), and it is very easy to understand why. Gage is only nine, and yet he has the perfect spirit and spunk for film and television. In addition to that, he’s undeniably talented, and for him, being on set is an adventure filled with incredible experiences and happy times. While he is committed to playing his role to the best of his ability, he’s still a typical kid who is being raised in the kind of environment that will ensure he does not get involved with negative influences that sometimes interfere with and harm children in the entertainment business. Gage’s parents are committed to ensuring that he enjoys every experience, and while they foster and nurture his love of performing, that is not his sole focus. And I definitely applaud his parents for taking the lead in this area.
If you live in the U.S., make sure that you tune into Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Network Friday night (12/21) for the premiere of Christmas At Grand Valley. (I am not finding it on the Canadian schedule at this point.) On the other hand, A Veteran’s Christmas has been regularly replaying on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and has been on the W Network, so check your schedule for any additional showings. If you are as passionate about supporting young performers as I am, be sure that you check out Gage’s links below and follow him on Instagram. Followers will regularly find behind-the-scenes photos as well as his latest news on his account, and it should guarantee that you never miss any productions in which he appears. I cannot thank Hallmark enough for casting this young man in not one, but two, Hallmark Christmas movies. And I send a special shoutout to both Danica and Brennan for highlighting this young man; otherwise, I may have overlooked him. Furthermore, I am eternally thankful for Gage’s parents as well for all their support of Gage and their willingness to share him with the world (He has a pretty special mother!). I genuinely hope that we will continue to see Gage in a wide variety of roles for many more years to come!
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