Sometimes as I scroll through Instagram, a certain picture will catch my eye, and upon further investigation, I discover an industry professional whose name I do not recognize. This is exactly how I was introduced to Jovanna Burke, and upon further investigation, I realized I had seen her in more than one Hallmark movie. Moreover, she was scheduled to appear in a Countdown To Christmas movie with the network this year entitled Welcome To Christmas (which premiered on the Hallmark Channel December 9th). I reached out to her for an interview, and I am delighted to highlight her today!
Photo Credit: Rebecca Ross Studios
RH: What inspired you to become an actress? Please tell us about your transition from a dance career to an acting career.
JB: My favorite part of dance was always the storytelling. I loved seeing story ballets and longed to play the lead someday. So I always knew acting was something I wanted to do at some point in my life.
As a child, I played dress-up at home all the time, and putting on plays with my little sister was a constant at our house. But I was shy in public, so dancing let me express my emotions without speaking. Naturally, I wanted to be a ballerina, centerstage, telling the stories. But what I came to realize pretty quickly into my budding career was that I was going to be in the corps de ballet for a long time before I ever had the chance to be the storyteller. After a near career-ending injury, I had to take some time to re-evaluate what I wanted to do and I quickly realized that storytelling was still at the core, I just had to find a new medium.
I took my first acting class at twenty-one and I loved it; acting just felt like a natural next step. I absolutely love expressing myself through characters – it is so much fun and so fulfilling to my soul.
What was your first professional job as an actor and what are your memories of it?
On the set of Truth with Stephanie Zimbalist and Thea Gill
My first REAL professional job in film/TVwas a supporting lead role on the TV Movie TRUTH for the Lifetime Network. It was really exciting. At that point, I had been a part of many student productions, done a tiny role in an independent feature and played the lead on a local independent feature, but being on a “real” set felt so amazing. I remember having a trailer for the first time and pinching myself every time I could. I was on cloud nine finally living my dream of telling the story. The character I got to play was a very curious journalist and the sidekick to the lead (Thea Gill) and to date, it was one of the greatest experiences I have had. Perhaps it was extra special because it was my first, but everyone on the show left a lasting impression on me.
You have appeared on several well-known sci-fi shows (and other shows) as a guest star. What are some of your more memorable ones throughout the years? Why do those stand out?
My SCI-FI roles have always been memorable for me. I think my favorites have definitely been: Bloody Mary in Supernatural and The Little Mermaid in the short film The Little Mermaid.
Still from The Little Mermaid
I really LOVE playing monsters, so playing both Bloody Mary and the Mermaid were SO much fun. When I create a character, I often use animals to find their bodies, find the way they move, their quirks. Before you can transform your body to reflect a specific background or personality you must be fully aware of every inch of it. When I get to play monsters like this, I find that my physical training as a dancer really plays into the way I find the animal behind the monster, and instead of stepping into the human character’s skin, I get to live in the animal more, and that is how I make them unique. I really hope to get to play another one soon!
I believe your first Hallmark movie was For Better Or For Worse. What did you enjoy most about being a part of this film? As your introduction to a Hallmark set, what do you enjoy about being a part of Hallmark?
For Better Or For Worse
You’re right! What a wonderful experience that film was! Not only did I get to play a very fun character, but the show starred Lisa Whelchel and Kim Fields, who I remember fondly from The Facts of Life. They were both so lovely and the all-around feel on set was supportive and bright. I absolutely LOVE Hallmark films because the stories are always uplifting and relatable. And it makes me so happy to know that I get to be a part of making something that brightens so many peoples’ day.
Last year, you had the opportunity to be a part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas movie, The Christmas Train. How did that experience differ from your other Hallmark experience? Why do you believe that film resonated with the fans as it did?
The Christmas Train
The Christmas Train was such a lovely show to work on. The story is a best-selling novel, so I believe it resonated well with fans because people knew what to expect. BUT also, it was a little different in that they put together an incredible, all-star cast! Getting to do a scene with Dermot Mulroney was great too! I was a little star-struck when I first met him; I’ve been a fan since My Best Friend’s Wedding, but he was so incredibly down-to-earth and wonderful to work with. I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of such a great Hallmark film that will hopefully be enjoyed for many seasons to come!
Earlier this year, I got to see you in The Simon Biles Story. Since this was based on a true story, how was it playing the part of someone who is a real person? What did you enjoy most about being a part of this film?
I have always been a HUGE fan of biopics. I have had one on my bucket list for years, and getting the opportunity to work on this one was brilliant. I am a huge fan of Simone Biles; not only is she INCREDIBLE at her sport, but she is also such a huge inspiration to so many. I felt honored to get to play a character in this very special show and also work with the show’s brilliant director, Vanessa Parise.
On the set of Welcome To Christmas
Hallmark viewers recently saw you in Welcome To Christmas. What can you tell us about your role and overall film? Any special memories from filming this movie?
I am so excited to see this one and share it with the Hallmark fans!! I love this story! It is such a great Christmas movie!! The film is about a workaholic woman Madison Lane (played by the incomparable Jennifer Finnigan) who builds resorts for a living (I play her assistant, Dana Piretti). Madison ends up going to the small town of Christmas, Colorado to check out the location and town incentives …for a potential resort…and ends up getting into a fender bender and kinda gets stuck there…but you will have to watch so that I don’t give it all away. Lol. I was recently in the studio doing ADR and the show’s director Gary Harvey has done a fantastic job!
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
13 Miles
Yes! Thank you! A feature film that I am super proud of called 13 Miles is in the final stages of post-production and will hopefully be released in early 2019. The film is a sports drama that follows a champion at the height of his field and a woman who has sacrificed her dreams to help him achieve his. (You can probably guess I play that woman) Split in two, they both end up turning to the sport they know, triathlon, to find the meaning and purpose of their lives. It is a great story and I hope that you watch it when it comes out!!
Photo Credit: Rebecca Ross Studios
Another project that I am very excited about is one that has been a true labor of love for the last four years. My writing partner and I, Chelsea Hobbs, have been working together on creating projects that are female-driven through our production company Golden Door Productions. The one that we are getting ready to pitch in early 2019, is currently called Hartley House. The series is a Sci-Fi Mystery set in the 1930/40’s about women inside an asylum. I can’t wait to share these incredible stories with the world!
And for all the Hallmark fans out there, I have some even more exciting news. I will also be appearing in the upcoming Ruby Herring Mysteries on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. It will be an extremely exciting character which I cannot wait to share!! That is about all I can say, I think 🙂
Any special holiday traditions that you would like to share?
Christmas has always been my favorite holiday! Since starting a family (I have two young children), it has become extra special. We have started new traditions: elf-on-the-shelf, baking cookies, donating to a local family in need, watching Hallmark Christmas Countdown.
But we’ve also kept old ones too like: attending The Nutcracker, advent calendars, decorating the tree and house the first weekend of December, watching Holiday classics as a family and of course, as many holiday lights as our house can handle!!
Photo Credit: Rebecca Ross Studios
Jovanna is the ideal example of what a working actress is in this business. Acting is never an overnight success tale, and very often, much of one’s work may go virtually unnoticed. Nonetheless, this industry requires dogged determination and steadfast persistence in addition to undeniable skill. In her career thus far, Jovanna has demonstrated that she possesses these qualities in spades, and thankfully, she and Hallmark have a mutually beneficial relationship. While Jovanna’s roles may go undetected at times, the discerning viewer will examine these films and discover the great talent and beauty that is Jovanna. Moreover, this lovely artist has proven that she can enjoy a robust life outside of acting and still continue to pursue her dreams and goals. Thankfully, she’s married to a fellow industry professional, and it would seem that they are both equally supportive of each other professionally and personally.
If you were not able to tune into the Hallmark Channel for the premiere of Welcome To Christmas on December 9th, I would invite the U.S. viewers to investigate and catch the next showing before its final seasonal showing. If you are a Canadian viewer, you can watch the premiere on City TV on Friday, December 21st. Additionally, if you are so inclined, I would invite you to visit all of Jovanna’s links below and consider following her where applicable. While she has not landed her first major leading role as of yet, there is no doubt in my mind that exceptional things are on the horizon for her as she proceeds to chase her passions in every area of her life, and I can hardly wait to see what opportunities present themselves to her in 2019 and beyond!
FOLLOW JOVANNA
