There is a standing joke amongst those who regularly follow my interviews. Invariably, I will interview the murderer from one of Hallmark’s mystery movies, and although that wasn’t necessarily the case the last time I interviewed Preston Vanderslice, it wasn’t too long after that when he emerged as the unassuming nemesis bent on destroying Lori Loughlin’s character once and for all in a 2017 episode of Garage Sale Mysteries movies. As one who has closely watched and followed Preston’s Hallmark career from the beginning, I am ecstatic to see the way his opportunities, in general, have expanded and how he has become one of the favorite supporting cast members to play “the bad guy,” “the jerk,” or “the other guy.” However, no one can deny the unmistakable talent this young man has, and it was my special honor to have the occasion to interview him yet again.
Photo by Mandisa Photography
RH: Preston, so nice connecting with you again!
PV: Hi Ruth! Thank you for reaching out to chat again, it’s always a pleasure!
Cooking With Love
Earlier this year, you made an appearance in Cooking With Love. What did you appreciate most about your role? What was it like working with Ali Liebert on her first executive production?
Cooking With Love was a special project on multiple levels. I was going through a really tough challenge in my personal life while we were shooting and the cast/crew, led by the wonderful Ali Liebert, were a lifeline and welcomed reprieve for me. I was familiar with Ali’s work, but we’d never done anything together and when I went in to audition for her and the director, Jem Garrard, I knew immediately that they were a team I wanted to work with.
Though I’m familiar with the show, I’m afraid I didn’t watch Cloak & Dagger. What was it like to guest star on that show?
Cloak & Dagger was an enjoyable experience. It shot in New Orleans, which is one of my favorite American cities so I was already excited to be down there before I ever even got to work. I’d never done a project with Marvel before and it was interesting to get a glimpse of how that impressive, creative machine works.
Behind the scenes with Kristoffer Polaha
Small Town Christmas
You have returned to Hallmark this Christmas in two movies. Please share a little about each and any behind-the-scenes moments you would like to share.
Yes, I have returned to Hallmark twice this Christmas: first in Mingle All The Way, which first aired on December 1st and again on the Hallmark Movie and Mysteries channel in Small Town Christmas on December 16th. Both were tons of fun to shoot and I’m excited to see how they turned out!
Kris{toffer Polaha} and I worked on Small Town Christmas together along with the talented Ashley Newbrough. To be honest, nothing about that shoot felt like going to work in the least. Those two along with the director, Maclain Nelson, became instant pals of mine. When we weren’t shooting, we became super obsessed with going to this Escape Room in downtown Vancouver. It was pretty comical actually; we’d wrap for the day, haul back into town and be working together to solve the Escape Room puzzles an hour later. Which, for the record, we did four in seven days and got out of all of them. I just have to boast on the collective genius of that bunch for a moment!
Mingle All the Way
In Mingle All The Way, I play a somewhat similar character to the one I played in Cooking With Love. I was a work nemesis (and hopefully, comedic relief) to the lead guy and despite what you see on screen, I had a great time shooting with Brant {Daugherty}. I think we’ve talked about this in the past, but as much as I would love to play the lead at some point, I don’t mind being the guy you kind of like to dislike. Behind the presumed “meanness” or “evil” of those characters is someone who is rather broken and, typically, at some point in the movie, gets a gentle comeuppance. And I think there’s room for an element of comedy in that. I once heard a definition of humor as the result of being told the truth quicker and more directly than we’re used to. I think that applies to the final scene of some of the work nemesis’ that we see in romantic comedies like Mingle All The Way or Cooking With Love.
Small Town Christmas
I’m not sure how much I can say about the plot of Small Town Christmas for fear of giving too much away. It’s very adorable and I think people will enjoy it a lot… how’s that? One thing I will say is that it provided me with a chance to play a slightly more conflicted character that is torn between a blossoming new love and his ambition at work; an ambition that he sees as helpful and good but that those around him see very differently.
Any other upcoming/current works you would like to mention?
with Jill Wagner
I’m currently shooting a new mystery project for Hallmark Movies and Mysteries that has me working alongside The Kristoffer Polaha again. We’re in the final week of filming right now and it’s coming along very well. I don’t know when it’ll be released, but I would imagine early next year so stay tuned!
All too often, we viewers see you in the “other guy” role or as the murderer or just as one of the supporting cast members. Why do you believe it is sometimes difficult for supporting cast members to move into leading roles?
I’m not totally sure, to be honest. But if I had to guess, I’d say it’s likely a matter of timing and patience in most cases.
Favorite Holiday Food: The one bite combo of a little turkey, a bit stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce on one fork. I realize that’s very specific and weird, but it’s the truth!
With Kristoffer and Ashley behind the scenes
Small Town Christmas
Favorite Holiday Movie: Christmas Vacation is certainly a staple in my books. This one is a little less about the holidays themselves (though it does take place over them), but I also have a soft spot for The Family Man.
Favorite Holiday Activity: Spending time with my family at our cabin in East Texas. I also like going to the movies on Christmas night, despite the fact that it’s typically a madhouse at the theater!
Favorite Holiday Song: I like a simplistic arrangement of “O Come Emmanuel.” It’s not near as upbeat as other holiday songs, but I like the stark, poetic beauty to it; like a cold winter day.
Favorite Holiday Tradition: Christmas Eve is a festive time in my family. We typically go to a candlelight service before heading to my parent’s house to eat some form of Tex-Mex food and have a game night. I have two nephews under the age of five now, and seeing Christmas through their eyes is always fun.
Any news on any potential scripts/shows/films that you’ve written?
I’ve got a few things on the go right now, but I’m hesitant to discuss them before they’re put into development.
How will you be spending the holidays this year?
I’ll be heading back to Texas for a recharge of family and old friend time. Nothing big planned other than relaxing and catching up with folks. Which is exactly how I want it!
Photo by Mandisa Photography
In all the time I have known Preston, I have been impressed with his skill, his kindness, and his humility. Moreover, in addition to all these distinguished attributes, Preston’s strong work ethic has afforded him fun roles on a wide assortment of productions. Preston is aware of the fact that one never “arrives” in this business, and his outlook has always been to thoroughly appreciate every role that comes his way and continue to invest the time and work necessary to create memorable, compelling, and sometimes sinister personalities on screen. In truth, I am the impatient one who is always waiting for him to have the “nice” role in one of these films, and I am genuinely hopeful that in Mystery 101, that chance may finally happen (But with my luck, he just might be the murderer again!). I greatly anticipate the day when Preston begins to book the kinds of roles that some of his peers have booked, and I truly think it’s just a matter of time when we will see Preston breathing life into a character that gains him positive acclaim amongst the Hallmark fans.
If you did not happen to see Preston in Mingle All the Way, be sure that you check out its next viewing on the Hallmark Channel (in the U.S.) or the W Network (in Canada). Also, if you are in the U.S., be sure to watch and/or set your DVR’s for the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries premiere this weekend (December 16th) of Small Town Christmas. (I am still waiting on a Canadian air date.) Additionally, if you are interested, please check out all of Preston’s links below and consider following him where applicable (his Instagram is his most active social media platform). Preston has never disappointed me in any role in which I have had the honor of witnessing his prowess, and I am overwhelmingly enthusiastic to see what this new mystery series will be and whether Preston will be a hero or a cold-blooded psychopath!
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