Around three years ago, I had the joy of interviewing the phenomenally-talented Marcus Rosner, and since he was one of my first interviews ever, he has continued to hold a very special place in my heart. As I have watched and supported him throughout his many network appearances, it has been a delectable treat to follow the trajectory of his career from Hallmark to Lifetime and beyond. This weekend, he will appear in the third (and presumably final) film in the Hallmark Channel “Vineyard” series, and I am immensely pleased that Marcus recently spoke with me about this movie and much more. It is my honor to share our fourth interview with my readers today!

Photo Credit: Lane Dorsey

RH: Marcus, it’s so good to get to talk with you again.

MR: Same here, Ruth, always nice to chat with you.

So you have officially moved to LA? Is that my understanding?

Yes, for now. We’ll see what things look like in six months, but for now, I’m in LA. I made the decision back in December, and I decided to dive in with both feet and see how it goes.

Well, I know there’s a good group of Vancouver actors who have moved down there, so you’re in good company, and I hope it all goes well for you, Marcus.

Thank you, Ruth, I’ve been hanging at Chris McNally‘s place until I find my own spot.

Well, that’s good. And it was so nice to meet you back in October when I was up in Vancouver. While our meeting wasn’t that long ago, it’s been a while since we had an official interview.

That is true.

as Warren in UnREAL

In fact, UnREAL was the last time we chatted. And that was a show where I enjoyed your character, but I thought they took you out way too soon in that show.

That’s nice of you to say, Ruth. I’m glad you think so. I will admit that I think so too. I wish my character could have been on there a little bit longer.

I’m glad you were a part of it, and of course, if people want to see you, they can look up UnREAL season three on Hulu. All four seasons are on there since the show has officially ended. And you were also recently on Arrow.

Yes, that’s right, my character came back for a recent episode.

In fact, I had never watched Arrow until recently. Nothing against the show, but I never got into it. 

I understand. I hadn’t kept up with the show since I was on it last. I was very happy that Arrow brought me back as Max Fuller. You can see me on season seven, episode eight, if anyone wants to look it up.

I was glad that they didn’t kill your character off. I was expecting you to be killed off, but thankfully, they just sent you to jail.

Yeah, it kind of leaves it open for…who knows? I haven’t heard if they plan to bring me back again.

Right, but it was pretty cool that they brought you back this time.

Yeah, it was totally unexpected. It was like six years between the episodes.

I know when you posted about being back on a series you had been on in a while, there wereall kinds of speculation from the Hearties that Charles was coming back to When Calls the Heart.

Yeah, that would have been a bit of a tease. {laughs} It was funny and very sweet that so many of them thought that. But speaking of Arrow, it was so fun to be back on that show. It was interesting to see how far that show had come and how the people and the characters had changed.

Since we spoke last, you also had your first Hallmark lead role where you got the girl!

With Jen
Yes, I Do

That’s right. Yes, I Do with Jen Lilley and Jessica Lowndes. And Christie Will Wolf was the director. It was great! I really enjoyed that movie.

With Jessica
Yes, I Do

I really enjoyed that movie too. I thought it was fun. And of course, they worked it out so that you could have your signature shirtless scene in the film.

{laughs} I loved that conversation you had with Christie. I saw that you mentioned that. It gave me a good laugh.

And then I really enjoyed Poinsettias For Christmas as well. I actually saw it twice. I watched it by myself first, and then my mom and I watched it together. 

With Joy
Poinsettias For Christmas

That’s awesome. Yeah, {Bethany} Joy Lenz is such a talent. She really carried that movie, and she has such a good energy about her on screen.

I thought it could have easily been a Hallmark movie, but it was great that was on Lifetime. 

They’re both competing for that market, especially at Christmastime.

With John Schneider
Poinsettias For Christmas

I watched a lot of good Lifetime movies this past holiday season, but not all of them were as good quality as Poinsettias For Christmas. I really thought that one was one of the best Lifetime movies of the season. And not just because you were in it. The story was good and the acting was good.

Oh yeah, I  agree. I really liked it. I think we had such a great cast, and Chrsitie’s a great director.

This weekend we have Valentine In the Vineyard, originally called Wedding In the Vineyard. This is the movie that kicks off the Hallmark’s Countdown to Valentine’s Day programming. 

That’s right.

And my memory about this movie is that I was there with you when your agent called you about this movie. 

Marcus Rosner, Rachael Leigh Cook, Brendan Penny Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

That’s true. We were having coffee, and you asked about that sequel. I hadn’t heard anything. Then midway through our conversation, I got a call from my agent. And I seem to remember that you somehow knew about this movie even before I did. I came back and told you that it looked like we were going to do the third one, and you said that Brendan had already mentioned it.

Yes, that was because a fan asked him about it, and he responded that they were going to try to film it in November. But when you didn’t say anything, I really thought Brendan might have been wrong. 

Yeah, things sometimes tend to get pushed back sometimes. And I have an agreement with my agent that I don’t need to hear about these things until I need to hear about them.

I am sure glad this third one is happening. It’s been a long time coming. I do know there was a change in the cast because Jeremy Guilbaut was unable to be a part of due to schedule conflicts.

Madison Smith; Brendan Penny; Michael Kopsa; Marcus Rosner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

Yeah, we definitely missed Jeremy, but I will say that having my buddy Madison Smith join the cast and play the younger brother was great for me. He’s got some really great scenes in this one.

Which is great for Madison. I was so excited when he told me he was a part of this one because I’ve been following Madison from the beginning of his Hallmark career. 

Madison is my buddy. Originally when I moved up to Vancouver to start acting, we worked in a restaurant together. So we’ve known each other a long time. So not that Madison is better than Jeremy. Of course, we missed him. But it was nice to reconnect with Madison and have him in this movie and take over the role of the youngest DeLuca brother.

And then, of course, your love interest played by Tegan Moss came back. I was very excited about that. 

Yes, because there was a change in the cast after the first one. Ali Liebert was in the first one, and she was unable to come back, so it’s nice that there is some consistency here between the second and third one.

Since we fans have been waiting anxiously for this third one, what can we expect from Valentine In the Vineyard?

Tegan Moss, Marcus Rosner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

I guess the best tease is that there will be a wedding, but don’t be too sure about whose wedding that will be. And there’s also a nice “ABC” storyline with the three brothers and their potential love interests. I think it’s got a really nice balance to it. All the characters are back. We feel like we’ve created a community now and you kind of get to revisit them and see what their lives are like a year later.

It looks like you guys had a blast filming. There were many Instastories, and it seems like a lot of wine-tasting went on. 

We have way too much fun filming these movies. We definitely put in the work, but it definitely felt like a vacation sometimes.

Did you film this one in the same area where you filmed the last one?

Behind-the-scenes
Valentine In the Vineyard

Yes, we filmed them on the Naramata Bench in B.C., which is wine country, and we filmed in the exact same spot. Obviously, it’s the opposite time of year, which presented a few challenges. It gave it a different look I think, but it’s still such a beautiful landscape. I would say this one is much more rustic. The last one was so lush with greenery. In this one, you have the same setting, but different colors, which probably provides a different tone for the film.

I was wondering if the weather would be an issue during the filming of this one. 

I was puzzled at how they were gonna pull it off, but luckily there was no snow ’cause that would have really screwed things up.

Now, who directed this one? Has it been a different director for each one?

Yes, it actually has been a different director for each of the three films. Scott Smith directed the first one. Martin Wood directed the second one. And this one was directed by Terry Ingram. And I will say it’s been fun having different perspectives. Jim Head, the producer, has been the constant on all three. He’s been there for every one of the three films.

Tegan Moss, Marcus Rosner, Rachael Leigh Cook, Brendan Penny Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

I have not met Terry, but I’ve certainly heard good things about him.

Terry’s awesome; he’s so chill. We had some great times on set. He’s got such a relaxed way about him and keeps the set calm and everybody level-headed.

Do you think this will be the end of the series?

My understanding as of now is that this is the end of the series.

I realize things might change. But I’m just glad that the third one is actually happening. For a while, I was concerned this third one might not happen. 

This third one definitely took some time to happen, but I’m very glad it did happen too.

So is there anything else upcoming you can mention? Possibly another movie with Lifetime?

We have in the can right now The Killer Downstairs. Cindy Busby and I filmed that last year. But I’m not sure where this movie is going to appear. There’s talk it might go to Netflix or it might be Lifetime. I’m just not sure.

With Cindy

So this movie is a thriller, I believe, which means I have a feeling your role is not going to be a “nice guy” role.

I play a…yeah, there’s no way around that. Yep, I’m the bad guy.

I feel like the description of the film gives that away. Whenever I think of your thriller roles, I always think of Infedility in Suburbia. You played your part so incredibly well in that movie.

Thank you.

I remember cheering when your character was dead at the end! He needed to be gone! He had created enough trouble.

True psychopath.

Had you and Cindy worked together before?

That’s funny actually. My very first professional acting gig I ever had was on a show called The Secret Circle on the CW back in 2012, and Cindy and I played husband and wife in this flashback scene. She was the first actress I ever worked with.

I’m so glad I asked; I wasn’t aware of that. So all these years later, they brought you back together.

Yeah, full circle. We have known each other for a while through our mutual friends, so it was really relaxed and easy. And she’s such a consummate professional. She really makes an effort to bring good energy to set each and every day, which is something that not everybody does. So that was much appreciated. And in these films, you work from the top down. So when you get that from both lead actors, it really is infectious.

I am sure many Hearties will tune in for that one, especially since you and Cindy both were on When Calls the Heart.

I tell you, these Hearties are so supportive. I was just telling Chris the other day, “Now that you’re on When Calls the Heart, anything you do going forward, they will watch. They will support you.” I was on one season of that show playing a character nobody liked, and they still support me all these years later in every project. It’s amazing! It honestly blows my mind, and I’m so grateful.

So anything else we can expect from this movie?

They can expect very similar things from what they saw in Infedility In Suburbia. The lack of shirts and the lack of kindness from my character.

Any update on the short film Dance With A Demon?

I believe their intention is for it to make the film festival circuit. But I don’t think they have a final cut as of yet. I know we did some serious ADR work on it a few months ago, but I know there are a lot of special effects that will be going into it. The filmmakers are employed filmmakers doing major film stuff like Deadpool and other big movies coming out. Like our director is working on the big Sonic movie that comes out soon. I know the film is taking a little longer than anticipated, but what I have seen I’m very excited about.

Dance With A Demon

Well, I know enough about indie films like this to know those things do happen. 

I know that everyone involved really wants to stand by the film and make sure it’s something really great. So the wait will be worth it for sure.

Anything else upcoming you can mention?

That is all I have at the moment. I’m focusing my time on settling myself here in LA and getting my bearings. I really want to set some roots here and grow a community.

Well, since you’re in LA, you can see the Hallmark movies on the Hallmark Channel. And pilot season is upon you, so hopefully, some good things will come your way.

Yeah, it’s the golden age of television.

Unfortunately, the Cowboys won’t be going to the Superbowl this year. 

Yeah, they could have been, but alas, that did not come to pass.

But they got closer than last season. I will give them credit. 

We have a good young core. We’re like the youngest team to get in the playoffs in a long, long time.

The Cowboys even beat the Seahawks, which I was very pleased about. Whenever I hear anything about the Cowboys, I always think about you first, Marcus.

To all my fellow Cowboy fans and Cowboy nation, let’s hang in there, and we’ll be just fine.

Since you’ve been staying with Chris, I hope you both got to see his Hallmark film. I recently posted his interview too.

Yeah, we watched A Winter Princess. 

And now a lot of the Hearties are trying to make the decision about whether they will go with Chris’ character or Kevin’s {McGarry} character in the upcoming season. I think a lot of people are already going with Kevin’s character. After all, he’s the Mountie, and he actually had two Winterfest movies. Chris only had one. I’m kind of the one in the background rooting for Chris. But Kevin said he’s Team Chris. 

Well, I don’t know what’s going on with the characters, but I know I’m Team Chris.

I don’t think Chris is known as well as Kevin, so that might be why more people are on Kevin’s side.

Well, I think that if there’s any unknown quality about him, that’s going to be an advantage as far as helping his character and his storyline. I’m looking forward to seeing it.

Thank you again, Marcus, for your time. I can hardly wait to see your movie this weekend!

Me too, Ruth, and thank you for your support and for all the support from the fans.

Tegan Moss, Marcus Rosner, Rachael Leigh Cook, Brendan Penny

Marcus is a true Vancouver success story, at least, in my opinion. He has labored intensively over the years, and all too often, he has not received the kind of recognition that actors with a fragment of his talent and experience may receive merely because of logistics. I have been one who has impatiently awaited his first lead role in a Hallmark movie, and throughout his tenure in the industry, he has merely continued to do the work to the best of his ability while perpetually raising the bar. No matter the roles that have been afforded him, he has taken advantage of each and every opportunity while maintaining his signature humility and generous nature. Meeting him a few months ago was literally the icing on the cake, and I shall never forget the way that he sincerely focused on me and my ideas and stories instead of merely concentrating on things that only interested him or pertained to him. Indeed, the hallmark of a genuine human being is one who understands and practices the true art of active listening, and I will never disregard the kindness he has shown me in each of our conversations over the years.

If you are in the U.S. and have access to the Hallmark Channel, I invite you to tune in tonight (February 2nd) for the premiere of Valentine In the Vineyard. (I don’t see a premiere date for Canada as of yet, but I do hope one is secured soon.) Additionally, I invite all of my readers to check out Marcus’ links below and follow him where applicable. While he may not be a prolific social media junkie, his fans can consistently count on him to keep us aware of his upcoming works and appearances with plenty of behind-the-scenes tidbits. I wish him every success imaginable as he establishes himself in LA, and here’s hoping that this new chapter in his career will provide even more incredible opportunities for this young man whose career is definitely on the upward swing. There is no one who is more deserving in today’s entertainment industry than Marcus, and it is a true honor to continue to promote someone who is so compassionate, authentic, and pragmatic. I entreat the Hearties and the Hallmarkies to continue to support and encourage this amazing man, and I can hardly wait to see what new opportunities 2019 furnishes him!

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Marcus Rosner, Brendan Penny Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

behind-the-scenes
Valentine In the Vineyard

Picture Credit: Lane Dorsey

Links to my other interviews with Marcus:

Interview With Actor Marcus Rosner, “Autumn in the Vineyard”

Interview With Actors Marcus Rosner & Tegan Moss, “Summer In the Vineyard”

Interview With Actor Marcus Rosner, “UnREAL”

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