I am absolutely in love with all the new Hallmark mystery films that are premiering in 2019 (as well as the new episodes of the established ones), and it just so happens that Ruby Herring Mysteries was the first new mystery series of 2019. Since its initial showing, it has reaired several times in the U.S., and I understand this movie will premiere on the W Network in Canada on March 2nd! In the role of Charlotte Herring, actress Alyson Walker made her Hallmark Movies & Mysteries debut, and I was blessed enough to snag her for an interview, which I happily share with my readers today.
Rebecca Ross Studios
RH: How/why did you decide to become an actress? What kind of training have you had to prepare you for this career?
The Burning Kiss
AW: I was about thirteen to fourteen years old when I started taking drama classes. Initially, I wasn’t taking them to be an actor; it was because I didn’t have a whole lot of self-confidence. So the purpose behind it was actually to build up my confidence! It wasn’t until I booked my first film job that I thought, “Hey, this is pretty fun; I could do this for a living!”
I’ve trained for years with coaches in Perth, Sydney and Vancouver pretty much since I first started out. I actually took a break for a few years and did a finance degree, completely unrelated to the industry! But it was so rewarding and trained me in other ways.
Acting is like a muscle that continuously needs to be worked, and that’s one of the reasons why I like to work with different coaches and schools; all of them offer different methods and I like to be able to pull things from each coach that works for me and just input that into my prep work. I’ve been so fortunate to work with some incredible coaches around the world and always looking for something or someone new and fresh to challenge me, and help me grow.
What was your first professional job in the industry and what are your memories of that job?
Selfie From Hell
I booked my first paid job at about the age of fifteen. It was an informational film about how to cope when parents divorce and how the lives of the children are impacted. I was the daughter.
It’s funny because before I booked the job, I made my mum call my agent and tell her that I didn’t want to be an actor anymore, and during that same conversation my agent said, “No, no, we just booked Alyson on a job!” So everything changed after that!
I remember my dad dropping me off at the shoot and demanding to speak to the person in charge, right in the middle of them shooting a scene with some of the other actors! I was so embarrassed…but he was just being a protective dad.
I think your first Hallmark role was in the film A Gingerbread Romance. What did you know about the Hallmark network before making that movie?
Correct! I’ve been familiar with the network since I moved to Vancouver in 2015. I remember seeing the lobby of my apartment building decked out like it was Christmas and thinking, “What the…its only June!” Then someone told me about the Hallmark Christmas Movies, and I thought, “Hey…it would be really fun to work on a set like that!”
I am also very aware of the Hallmark fan following! Sleuthers and Hallmarkies..their commitment and loyalty just blows me away, I love that it’s such a community, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.
With Taylor Cole
Hallmark viewers recently saw you in the first movie in what is hopefully going to be a series, Ruby Herring Mysteries: A Silent Witness. Any story about how you got cast in that role? What did you enjoy about making this film?
I was actually cast off my first audition for this film, which was surprising and awesome at the same time. I’m one of those actors who doesn’t particularly like auditioning…so to only have to do one audition and get cast off that was great.
I also really resonated with the material that I auditioned with (the scene between Ruby and I where she gives me the slideshow), so that helped. I just felt like it was me talking to my sibling. I recently lost my older brother, and I just felt like I was talking to him. So that was a really special scene for me.
Honestly, the best thing about filming was the cast and crew; we all got on so well and it was such a fun set to work on. That doesn’t happen on a lot of sets, so I feel really fortunate. I made some lifelong friends.
While we are not guaranteed more movies in the series, if there are, do you think there is a possibility your character may come back? If so, what would you hope for your character?
There definitely is a possibility. But it just depends on what direction they want the show to go. I would love to come back!
I would hope to see more of Charlotte and Ruby’s relationship; we have such a strong bond and I would love to flesh that out a bit more. And I would also love to see her get involved in some sleuthing!
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
I had such a crazy year last year filming and a couple of features released, that I’m actually taking this time now–for the next few months at least–to be at home and spend with my family. Ask me in six months time!
As an actress who seems to go back and forth between Vancouver and Australia, how do you make that work in your professional career?
Adam: The Mirror
I’m based out of Vancouver, so the majority of my work is based out of there. I do travel back to Australia at least once a year, and occasionally for work. But ninety percent of my work is in Vancouver.
What are your favorite kinds of movies/TV shows to watch?
I have very eclectic taste in film and TV. At the moment, my guilty pleasure is Outlander on the Starz Network. The lead character Claire is such a strong, smart, decisive and independent woman, a character like that would be a dream role to play.
I watch a lot of BBC, like Luther and Poldark. I just love British television. Their period pieces and dramas are just so well done. They are so intelligent, raw and addictive! I would love to work on a period drama.
Do you have plans/traditions for Valentine’s Day that you would like to share?
My fiancé was away for work this Valentine’s Day, unfortunately…but in saying that I have been so lucky the last few years. He is such a romantic and is very good at surprising me. Surprise seaplane trips, roses, diamond earrings…you name it he has done it. He is just a very genuine, kind and giving person. I’m very, very lucky.
Rebecca Ross Studios
I am truly stunned at just how many Australian actors seem to come to Canada and the U.S. for work, and many of them have become Hallmark favorites. Alyson is an ideal fit with this mystery series, and in many ways, she is beginning her partnership with the network in much the same way many of my friends have in the past few years. From airline steward in A Gingerbread Romance this past holiday season to sister of the lead in this new mystery series, she is following a rather typical Hallmark progression, and I can only hope that when she does return to Vancouver for full-time acting work that Hallmark will snatch her up for more roles, including a second movie in the Ruby Herring Mysteries series (hint, hint!). There is no doubt that Alyson possesses the diverse skillsets, the charming personality, and the pragmatic humility required to pursue a career in the film and television industry. Moreover, in spite of any obstacles she has faced along the way, she continues to pursue her dreams with a dogged determination and an irresistible spunk that causes those around her to cheer for her successes (and that extends to the fans whom she has never met as well!).
I do hope that if you have not seen Ruby Herring Mysteries: Silent Witness that you will check it out on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (March 2nd is the next showing) or watch the Canadian premiere on the W Network (also on March 2nd). Additionally, I invite all of my readers to visit her links below and consider following her on social media, if so inclined. Even though Alyson is taking some time to be with her family at present, I am certain that all the Hallmarkies want to be aware of the next production in which Alyson is cast so that we can enjoy her prowess on screen together yet again. While I have no idea the trajectory of her career in the near and distant future, I am convinced that Hallmark has found a new supporting actress in Alyson, and I can hardly wait to see her next Hallmark (or any network) project, while awaiting a definitive decision on the fate of Ruby Herring Mysteries.
FOLLOW ALYSON
