Last year, I had the amazing opportunity of interviewing one of the most prolific of the “other guy” actors, Lane Edwards. He has been such an integral part of favorite Hallmark movies from The Perfect Bride 2 to Maggie’s Christmas Miracle to The Sweetest Christmas. But all too often, he is the one who got away (and good riddance that he did) or the boyfriend who steps aside and realizes that the leading lady is really in love with the leading man. Thankfully, his latest Hallmark movie, My Boyfriend’s Back: Wedding March 5, features him in a non-stereotypical role, and recently, I got to chat with him about that movie as well as a couple of other items of interest. In celebration of that movie’s premiere on the Hallmark Channel in the U.S. tonight (June 8th), I am thrilled to share our recent chat.
RH: Lane, it’s so great to chat with you again!
LE: Great to talk with you again too, Ruth.
Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs
You’ve been pretty busy since we last chatted which was quite some time ago. I think it was right before The Perfect Bride 2 premiered. That was the last time.
Oh, yes, that’s right!
We enjoyed seeing you as a part of the movie, but of course, your character didn’t end up getting the girl in that movie.
Sure didn’t. That’d be weird if I had in that one.
However, at the time we talked, we didn’t know if there was going to be a sequel to Summer Of Dreams.
You’re exactly right. And thankfully, we had Wedding Of Dreams, and I was opposite Pascale Hutton again as well.
Right! That seemed to happen fast as well. I remember I chatted with her, and she didn’t even mention it. And then a few weeks later, suddenly, the sequel was being made. I assumed that one happened pretty fast.
Yes, it did happen pretty fast. Debbie {Gibson’s} schedule is so tight that she doesn’t have a lot of time to shoot stuff. So once we found out we were doing it… between finding it out and getting it done, it was maybe three or four weeks.
That sounds about right. And then I remember the movie kept moving around on the schedule. First, it was gonna be summer. And then it got pushed more towards fall. The title changed a couple of times too, if I remember right. But it was a fantastic sequel. I really enjoyed it. I thought it was at least as fun if not more fun than the first one.
with Debbie
I would agree. It was more fun to make than the first one, probably because we knew each other and characters better the second time around. But both of them were lots of fun to make. Debbie is such a light-hearted presence. And Robert Gant is such a professional and a wonderful guy to work with. When you’re watching guys like that, a lot of the time, you’re watching to learn how to be a lead…how to conduct yourself on set and how to come prepared to set every day. As the leading man, Robert always showed up incredibly prepared all the time. He loves the work. He’s pleasant to everyone on set. And of course, Debbie is a blast. And Pascale has such a great sense of humor. We both would just kind of sit in the back and heckle quietly most of the time. It’s fun working with her. And of course, Kavan {Smith} is fun to work with as well. With Perfect Bride 2, they have such a great relationship and they’re both lots of fun to work with together. So I will say that those two back-to-backers made those couple of months really fun for me.
And both movies were lots of fun to watch as well. But you did look very different in The Perfect Bride 2. I remember I had to do a double take when your character first appeared.
{laughs} It’s pretty funny what a bit of facial hair can do.
Isn’t that the truth? Now, what I did like about your character, Steve, was the way you played him. We knew what happened with him leaving his bride at the altar, but you didn’t play him as the bad guy. Since we know Steve’s backstory, we already viewed him negatively. We viewers were prepared to not like him. But the way you played him…it was hard to really dislike him. I think we understood that he had grown up a bit since he stood her up. I think he realized he had made a mistake. So in the end, when his character leaves, we weren’t left feeling like we do with some characters, “Oh, we never want to see him again!” I didn’t really feel that way about Steve.
The Perfect Bride 2
I’m glad you saw it that way, Ruth. I felt that the way he was written, I felt it was important that there was room for him to look for some redemption and to try being a better person for Pascale’s character. I felt like his battle and his struggle was walking that line between genuinely wanting to help and be a silent partner for her and do that because he wanted to do the right thing for her. And at the same time, he’s fighting against his true feelings for her. You know, a lot of the time, when we’re in love with somebody, those feelings don’t necessarily go away. The only way we can end up being the best person for them is to not be in their lives. That’s a hard thing. But that’s really what he was about. I think it’s boring to just play someone as a bad guy. I don’t think that’s what most humans are like. Most people are flawed and damaged and doing the best they can with that. So I wanted to be able to play Steve in such a way that people saw that he was trying to be the best guy he could under the circumstances. I’m glad it came across that way. It just didn’t work out for him and Pascale’s character. And once he figured that out, it was pretty easy for him to walk away. I think he really supported her and the journey she wanted to take. So I’m glad you saw it that way and that it came across that way.
I think a lot of people did. I think the general consensus was that at the end of the day, we didn’t hate your character. Everybody messes up, and I think we would say that there was a chance for redemption for Steve. You played him well.
Thank you, Ruth.
I also saw you on The Good Doctor. Our whole family loves that show. And it’s always nice to see so many Vancouver actors featured in that show.
That’s great, Ruth. And yes, The Good Doctor has been really good about using Vancouver actors and giving them prominent roles like really great guest star roles with good material. Everybody really likes working for them.
Absolutely. And the thing we love about this show is that everyone in our household can watch and enjoy it. Everyone from my teenage daughter to my parents who are in their seventies. And for my dad, it is one of the few shows around that he truly enjoys and can connect with. So what was the best part about filming your episode of that show?
Well, the best part of that episode was…I don’t know if you know who Gabrielle Rose is.
Yeah, I do.
Well, I got to work with her on this episode, and she was phenomenal. She put a lot of work and research into that heart condition her character had and how it affects your body and your breathing and all that stuff. And she was right in it every day. She’s a true pro too.
She is incredible. I have gotten to interview her before, so I know about her talent firsthand. Oh, and I also watched the Lifetime movie this year Death Of A Cheerleader. In fact, I might have overlooked it, but the reason I watched it was that Kellie Martin said she was in it. I had not seen the original, so I had nothing to compare it to. But I was so glad I watched it. I was not aware of the story, and it prompted me to do some research into the real story behind the movie. I know it got some mixed reviews here and there from what I read, but in my opinion, it was well done.
Death Of A Cheerleaders
It’s interesting. It was written and directed by the same writer and director as the first one. And produced by the same people. It was a husband and wife that produced the first one, and they produced this one as well. And Kellie was in the first one as well. But you know, it’s always hard without shooting a documentary…I think we ran into the same thing with Who Killed JonBenét? It’s not always possible to get the story straight because you’re telling it from one person’s point of view. So that makes it a little bit tricky. I think we tried to be as true to the story as we could. And whenever we’re telling a true story, I always try to be as true to that character as I can possibly be. In this case, I didn’t have the benefit of being able to phone Mr. Locke and speak with him about his experience. I tried to be as respectful as I could be, and I know that Kirsten {Robek} did as well in her role of Mrs. Locke. I do hope it turned out as close to the truth as possible, but it hopefully also made good TV as well.
I certainly thought it was great TV, Lane. I learned so much. Sure, I knew it wasn’t going to be one hundred percent accurate, but that’s not what I expect from a movie like this. I love movies based on true stories, and it made me look up the real story later. Which was also fascinating. I love history, and I could read books or watch documentaries. I love both. But there are times that seeing an actual dramatization of true events make you see it a little differently, even if a few liberties are taken here and there. I love getting to see things from a different perspective. If I read it, I may see it as black and white, but with a movie like this, I went in with an open mind and found myself seeing a few things differently.
That’s good. I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I’m glad that we got something across.
I was happy to tell Kellie that I saw it, and she responded thanking me for taking the time to watch it. She said she was really proud of it, which speaks volumes to me. After all, she was in the original.
Lacey Chabert, Lane Edwards Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs
Kellie is really sweet and really nice person. And getting to work with her in this movie…you know, it’s funny. A lot of people I come into contact with now and work with are people who I actually grew up watching. And Kellie Martin was one of those people. It’s always a bit of a novelty to work with someone you grew up watching for years and maybe had a crush on.
It was the same thing when I got to work with Lacey Chabert in The Sweetest Christmas. Those are times when it’s a bit surreal, and it’s a real treat to get to work with these people. I mean, there I am twenty or thirty years later working on something with someone I literally grew up watching. It’s a pretty special thing, and it was definitely like that with Kellie.
I am right there with you, Lane. Sometimes I get to interview people I grew up watching, and that is something that is a bit surreal for me at times too. Now, I know you recently finished filming something with Hallmark.
Wedding March 5
Yes, we recently finished a project called Wedding March 5 with Josie Bissett, Jack Wagner, Cindy Busby, Tyler Hynes, and Sunita Prasad. And this one was really special for a lot of reasons. Of course, getting to work with Jack and Josie was pretty special. We were actually shooting at a golf course, the Golf Resort out at Harrison Hot Springs, which was beautiful. It really was like a working vacation. I tried in vain to get Jack to golf a few rounds with me. He wasn’t having that. I don’t think I’m a good enough golfer. {laughs} He was like, “I’m not golfing with you.” And he was right to say it ’cause he knew that golfing with me would mean he probably wasn’t gonna have the best time. {laughs} But it was really fun to work with those two.
Cindy Busby, Sunita Prasad, Lane Edwards Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Alan Zenuk
Then Cindy Busby is an old friend of mine. We studied together years ago, so it was really fun. She is such a funny, funny person, and working with her was a blast. And she and Tyler Hynes together were phenomenal. We just had a lot of fun on a day-to-day basis. I could probably say that it was the most fun I’ve had working on a Hallmark set up to this point. Every day, we just laughed, and there were always little jokes on each other. And stuff like asking Jack to go golfing with me and him literally saying, “I’m not going golfing!” And then walking away. We were just killing ourselves with laughter.
Then Sunita, who plays my fiance, her and I actually worked together in a place here called the Commodore Ballroom. So we’ve known each other for years, and we’re friends in real life. When you find out that a friend of yours is gonna be your co-star, that’s like the best possible thing you can find out. So we had a wonderful time together and with everyone else too.
That’s just so good to hear.
And then as far as humor goes, our director was Mike Rohl. If I remember correctly, he directed our first Perfect Bride movie.
Yes, he did.
Sunita Prasad, Lane Edwards, Cindy Busby, Tyler Hynes, Jack Wagner, Josie Bissett Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Alan Zenuk
He’s just a goofball. He comes from a twenty-five-year background in theater, sports, and improv. So his humor is so fast and so constant. And that really added to the joy and fun we were all having on set. He’s also really good at communicating with all the actors, and he’s a wonderful director.
I’m so looking forward to this one, Lane. It’s a great way to help continue the theme of June Weddings. And I’ve been following The Wedding March from the beginning. We always wonder if they’re gonna do another one, and here they are at number five. Then finding out who else was in the cast! I mean, I just met Cindy in LA, and Tyler has become a huge fan favorite.
The Wedding March 5
You know what’s really great about Tyler? He really is himself. I mean, the same guy that you have talked with and that the fans see on Twitter is the guy he really is. He’s a very straight up, honest, good-natured person who is very grounded. We became good pals on set, and he’s a really solid guy.
So good to know that, thank you, Lane. Now, it sounds like you’re not playing the guy who doesn’t get the girl this time.
I’m not the obstacle in this one!
{laughs} I’m so happy for you, Lane! I mean, I know you do a great job playing the other guy who doesn’t get the girl, and you’ve had lots of experience playing those roles with Hallmark. But it’s nice seeing you have another kind of role for a change.
Yeah, it was a pleasure for me. I mean, it’s lots of fun playing both kinds of roles. I don’t want to give anything away in the movie, but it’s nice that with my role in this one that I am able to provide much lightness and positivity.
Sunita Prasad, Lane Edwards Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Alan Zenuk
Right. And no, you’re not giving anything away. The only people who haven’t gotten married in these movies are Jack and Josie! Everyone else who comes to the inn always ends up getting married. Mind you, they’re always really clever with their storylines and making them fun and interesting, but the ending for the couple coming to the inn is never in question. In fact, the only real criticism people have is that Jack’s and Josie’s characters are taking too long to get married.
So the fans can have a little nugget concerning Jack’s and Josie’s relationship, what I will say is that their relationship definitely evolves a little bit in this one.
Oh, that’s good to know! I know I read somewhere that they’re already thinking about another one. So I’m thinking that there will be at least one more movie out of this series. And I think that’s great because this series has been Jack’s baby.
Sunita Prasad, John Innes, Lane Edwards, Tyler Hynes Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Alan Zenuk
You’re exactly right, Ruth, this is his baby. It’s really important to him. But you never feel like you’re working with your boss on set because he’s unbelievably helpful. We had a scene where we had to rehearse our first dance, and we choreographed it. I don’t have a dance background and Sunita doesn’t either. So we were struggling a little bit with that. Jack came in and stopped everything, choreographed the scene, showed us how to move and make the moves we needed to make. And he made it so effortless for us to figure it out. By ourselves, we never would have. We didn’t even have a scene before. So he may not have brought his golf game to set, but he brought his dance background, and that sure helped us out. He also added some music…I don’t want to give too much away. He made that scene, and when you see it in the movie, I think you’ll see what I mean. He’s very talented. He has so many talents; it’s unbelievable!
Oh, I know he is amazing! And I’m so glad to hear this story because my mom often complains how the actors on Hallmark can’t dance. And I’ve seen the fans complain about it too. So maybe my mom and the fans can all breathe a sigh of relief after hearing this.
Sunita Prasad, John Innes, Lane Edwards, Tyler Hynes Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Alan Zenuk
Also, when the movie does come out, I’ll try to do some live tweeting. But if it’s not showing at the same time here, it’s hard for me to live tweet. But if nothing else, maybe I can put a poll up at the end of the movie so the fans can grade us and let us know how they thought we pulled off the dance scene.
It’s good to know that Jack is singing. Well, I don’t think the fans would let him get by in this series without singing.
Yes, and he wrote the song he’s singing too.
Exactly. And speaking of the other members of the cast, I never would have thought about bringing that group together, but from the previews I’ve seen and the behind-the-scenes clips, I would say Hallmark did a great job of bringing you all together.
The Twilight Zone
Well, I will look forward to hearing what everyone thinks about this movie.
So I see you’re also in an episode The Twilight Zone.
Yes, we did that at the end of last year, and it aired here in Canada about a month ago.
I have not had a chance to see that one because I don’t have CBS All Access. That’s the only way you can watch it here in the U.S. right now. But it’s one I’m very aware of and would like to watch at some point.
Here in Canada, it showed on City TV. We got to see it on a network, not a streaming service like the U.S. does.
I may have to break down and subscribe in order to see it. But I’m hoping that in time another streaming service will pick it up. Like maybe Hulu. We’ll see.
All of the episodes of The Twilight Zone use a lot of Vancouver actors. And the one that we shot was a blast. The storyline was really fun. It’s essentially a campaign manager who’s come off of a failed presidential bid. He decides to rejuvenate his career. He goes out and finds an eleven-year-old YouTube sensation and attempts to make him into the President of the United States. So you can see how it somewhat mirrors what has been happening in the U.S. It was lots of fun. The episode is also with Jacob Tremblay and John Cho and Allison Tolman. Kimberley Sustad actually plays my wife. I think this is the third time she’s played my wife. In fact, she actually calls me “husband,” and I call her “wifey” now. {laughs}
I’m curious. Did you see the old Twilight Zone?
Oh, sure. Obviously, I grew up with that iconic airplane episode with Will Shatner. And that was the first episode in this one.
So how do you think this version compares to the old version?
I think they’re lucky enough to be making a show that’s in that vein with the production value that we have in 2019. It’s shot beautifully. The Twilight Zone always did what it could to tell relevant stories through an interesting portal. I definitely think–especially in our episode–that’s what it’s doing. It seems very relevant to me. I think it compares in the sense that the writing is as good or better than it ever was if that’s even possible. And the production value is just through the roof. I think fans are gonna love it. In fact, the fans have loved it so far. There’s a lot of great reviews on it. There’s always going to be people that complain about this or that and claim that the first one was so much better. But it’s twenty years later. Things have evolved and changed a bit since then.
I was thinking I had seen some positive press about it. So that’s good to know. I’m sure I’ll see it at some point. So is there anything else coming up that you can mention?
I don’t think so. Not at the moment, at least. I think we covered everything. Since Wedding March 5 wrapped, I’m back to the grind and auditioning. I’m hoping for better news with more to tell you in the next few months.
Well, it would appear that Hallmark likes you, so here’s hoping they still like you and keep bringing you back. I’m grateful for their loyalty to so many fine actors like you. And here’s hoping that Hallmark finally decides to take a chance and cast you in a lead role.
That would be wonderful. And very exciting.
I know it’s easier said than done, but it never hurts for the fans to ask the network about this possibility.
Lane Edwards, Josie Bissett, Sunita Prasad Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Alan Zenuk
You know, what I really appreciate is just getting to be a part of Hallmark. Tyler and I were talking about how we get to make the TV that I used to watch on Wednesday and Thursday nights with my family. We used to sit around our TV and watch Little House On the Prairie. And Christmas movies. And we get to make those movies now. It’s great to be a part of that. I don’t fret about when I’m gonna get a lead role. That’s up to the network. I appreciate that they have me back and that we get to keep telling these stories to people. And aside from that, I think the rest takes care of itself.
I agree with you completely. And your attitude, Lane, is exactly what it should be. I know you’re not counting on something that hasn’t been promised, and I know you’re happy to be working for the network period. But I just like to put the thought in people’s heads in case they haven’t considered it before.
That’s very kind of you, Ruth. You know, we actually talked about you on set. We really appreciate you and how supportive and gracious you are with your time and how kind you are to us and how much a part of the Hallmark family you really are. You’re a really good link between the fans and the rest of the Hallmark family, and that helps to bring us together. It’s a really important role for us and for the fans. So I hope you know that every one of these interviews we do is always a pleasure.
Lane, thank you. I really appreciate that. For me, it’s just great to have the honor to support your work and to be able to connect you with the fans. I love doing that, and I thank you all for embracing me the way that you have. Very excited for Wedding March 5, and here’s to lots more Hallmark for you in the future.
Thank you, Ruth, indeed it is my pleasure. I hope everyone enjoys the movie.
Sunita Prasad, John Innes, Lane Edwards Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Alan Zenuk
Lane is one of those distinctive people who always “tells it like it is” with positivity, humor, and humility. He has amassed enough credits on his resume that he could easily get a big head and demand more significant roles, However, that is the antithesis of who Lane intrinsically is, and that is exactly why Hallmark and the fans continue to be so loyal to him both professionally and personally. Even after all this time, the Postables fondly remember his role in the series Signed, Sealed, Delivered, and the commitment and support demonstrated throughout the various segments of the Hallmark community is something extraordinary to witness. Of course, Lane proceeds to delight us with skilled, charming, impressive character depictions that resonate on multiple levels, and that merely reinforces what we already know about his tremendous giftedness and his dynamic ability to play any role. Lane is one who invariably places the needs and comfort of his other co-stars first and foremost, and he never forgets the fans nor their influence on his career. Under no circumstances will he ever minimize the opportunities he has been afforded in this business, and he is willing to invest the time, energy, and tenacity necessary to remain one of the most sought-after working actors in today’s entertainment universe.
I hope that everyone in the U.S. will tune their television sets to the Hallmark Channel this evening (June 8th) for the premiere of what is purported to be the most entertaining movie in the Wedding March series so far–My Boyfriend’s Back: Wedding March 5. (If you are in Canada, you will have to wait until July 27th for the premiere on Super Channel Heart & Home.) In addition to this can’t-miss premiere, I would invite all my readers to visit Lane’s links below and consider following him where applicable. While Lane is not overly active on social media, one thing you can count on is that he genuinely appreciates the support of the fans, and eventually, he does respond (even if he is unable to live tweet). While I don’t know if Hallmark will ever make the decision to cast Lane in a leading role, the thing I do know is that regardless of the character Lane portrays in any work, the viewers can always be assured that he will thoroughly immerse himself within that role with a fervency and relatability that not all actors in the business today possess. As far as I am concerned, Lane is one who will continually captivate my attention whenever I am treated to his presence on-screen, and I have no doubt that many other Hallmark fans foster that exact same sentiment!
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