It is no secret that I am fiercely devoted to the Hallmark Network, and one of the main reasons is that the people who work for this network are some of the most amazing human beings on earth. One of my favorite people on this planet is Kristoffer Polaha, and the fact that this is my third interview with him within the span of a year is probably a record in of itself. No matter what, he consistently responds to every message I send him, and whenever I request an interview with this undoubtedly busy artist, he strives to ensure that our chat will happen. I have not had the opportunity to meet him in person as of yet, but this most recent interview of ours is definitely our most profound plunge yet into who he is as a professional and as a person. Last weekend, his most recent Mystery 101 movie premiered on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and while I was unable to post this prior to the premiere, this is an interview that no Hallmarkie or Sleuther would want to miss reading!

Kristoffer Polaha Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman

RH: Kris, I am so glad we get to talk again at last! It’s been so busy that sometimes I feel like I can barely catch a break!

KP: Ruth, it’s great to talk with you again as well. And as to you’re being busy, you know what they say. It’s good to be busy. It’s better to be busy than to be bored.

Well, that’s true! {laughs} I don’t think I remember the last time I was bored. That term does not exist in my vocabulary unless I’m doing something I really don’t want to do. Which doesn’t usually happen, thank goodness. 

So how does it feel being in the middle of the second international Ruth Hill day? {This is a holiday Kris created last year on June 20th.} Does it feel kind of good?

Yeah, definitely! I’ve gotten lots of nice messages as a result. And this is one week after my birthday, which is also really great. My daughter and I share a birthday on June 13th. She turned sixteen, and I turned forty-five this year.

You’re still young, Ruth. You’ve still got it! When you turn fifty, you can start saying, “Wait a minute…”

Kristoffer Polaha Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

Well, my brother will turn fifty-one this year. 

What do they say? You’re only as old as you feel.

Honestly, I’m not complaining. I actually have a much better life now than when I was in my thirties. 

Have you found that too? I found that I’ve mellowed in a way that’s very good. I turned forty-two in February. And it’s weird. I don’t worry about certain things that I used to worry about. It’s just different, you know? Your body changes. My metabolism is changing. I know it’s harder for me to get up and run five miles versus five years ago. Back then, it was easier to get up and run each day. I don’t know if that’s a mental thing or an actual physical thing. But I worry about a lot less. I enjoy life more, and it only happened at forty-one. It wasn’t like all of a sudden I turned forty and that was the case. But this is the first year I feel like I get it. I get what this chapter of life is supposed to be.

I think something special for me is having my daughter grow up so we could do things together. Sure, I loved her when she was little, but I enjoy getting to take her with me to events and enjoy her company. 

Kristoffer Polaha, Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman

It’s a totally different relationship as they get older. You’re not the one in charge in the way you used to have to be. When they’re little, your job is to keep them alive and train them up right. And now that she’s a teenager, technically, if she had to, she would be able to make it in this world. Yeah, she’s still a kid and she has a long time to still be mothered. But it’s like this. There’s a big difference between my little Jude, who’s eight…if we were out of the picture, he’d have a hard time making it through the day. Whereas my fifteen-year-old, if he had to survive, he could. It would be hard, but it wouldn’t be the end of him like it would when he was younger. When they’re young, man, they need us for survival.

I am constantly thanking God that I have a child that is making the right decisions and is an excellent student. So I’m definitely with you there. Well, Kris, you sure have been keeping busy lately as well. 

Oh yeah, we probably should talk a little bit of shop, shouldn’t we?

I know you’re filming the third Mystery 101 film. I chatted with Jill {Wagner} recently.

Yeah, she told me.

And you’re filming a fourth Mystery 101 shortly.

Photo: Jill Wagner, Kristoffer Polaha Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

That’s right. Yes, we will soon start filming what I like to call Mystery 101.4. We’ll start filming that one in July. Probably around July 7th is when we’ll start and we’ll film for about three weeks.

This past Sunday, the second installment, Mystery 101: Playing Dead premiered on Hallmark. We all loved the first one, and this one didn’t disappoint.

I think there’s been really great feedback about this second one. In fact, before it premiered, some of the higher-ups with the network got to see it early, and I’ve heard that they really liked it. I really enjoyed what we did with that second one, and hopefully, that translated well to the audience really liking it. You never know how that will go, but it looks like it was pretty successful. But you never know. When you do one thing and people love it, you want to be able to follow up with something equally as great if not better. But if there’s enough time that goes by, there’s a rhythm that people can fall out of and they might say, “Nah, it wasn’t as good as the first one.” And the danger is those people can move on from the series. But hopefully, this second one galvanizes our audience and pushes it forward.

I’ve only heard good things about this second Mystery 101. And with this third and fourth one coming, like Jill mentioned, they are scheduled to air back-to-back in September. I know that can change, but that’s the plan Hallmark has now. 

That sounds like a great idea. That will give us something to look forward to this fall.

As much as I love you and Jill in these movies, I adore the supporting cast. For me, having Preston {Vanderslice} and Sarah {Dugdale} as a part of the regular cast is just wonderful. 

Louriza Tronco, Preston Vanderslice, Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

We always have such a great supporting cast. Now, a bit of insider info here. With Sarah, I know her last name is Dugdale, but at first, I thought it was Dougal. So I’ve been calling her Sarah Dougal. So recently, I told Sarah that someone online had taught me that her name was Dugdale. She thought I was just teasing her and giving her a nickname. But I had to tell her that I was wrong. I will say we have been really lucky. The woman who has done all the local casting for Mystery 101 has done an amazing job. And the supporting cast in Playing Dead is remarkable. It’s just one great actor after another. People who were in Battlestar Galactica and people who have been acting for a long time who know their craft and are great actors. For some of them, it’s their first Hallmark, and some have done several. Like Rekha Sharma. I’m so glad she’s in the Hallmark family now. She was in Battlestar Galactica, and she played the starlet in this movie. She is such a great actor; she’s really good! And that’s how things are for us with Mystery 101.  We are working with top-notch talent up here in Vancouver. 

Preston Vanderslice, Sarah Dugdale, Kristoffer Polaha, Jill Wagner, Kareem Malcolm Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman

For me, I was so excited when Sarah joined the series because I had been following her work since before she was with Hallmark. I didn’t even know she was joining Hallmark when I first interviewed her. But she is amazing! And I was so glad she wasn’t playing the murderer!

Yes, she plays my partner and the chief’s daughter, and she is ingrained into the world pretty deeply now. In the second episode, a few things happen that keep her sidelined, as probably many of you noticed, but you will see her in the third one. But I think in the fourth one, you’re going to see her character blossom and head in a cool direction. Then she’s dating Bud, who’s played by your favorite, Preston Vanderslice. I call him Vandy, and he calls me Popo. Jason Momoa named me Popo years and years ago, and now Vandy is carrying the torch.

I have watched and followed Preston from the beginning of his Hallmark career. He stood out to me in his first movie where he had one or two scenes. And since then, I have been watching everything he does. 

He struck your fancy.

Oh, yeah, I do try to pay attention to the supporting cast members and support them as much as I can.

Kristoffer Polaha, Jill Wagner, Preston Vanderslice, Derek Green Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

I have watched you do that, Ruth. It’s encouraging because if you’re a supporting cast member, sometimes you feel like, “Well, shoot, I’m not number one. I’m not number two. This isn’t my story. I don’t as many days as some on set.” It can be just a job for them, and they don’t get a lot of glory because there’s other people standing in the limelight. But I’ve watched you take the time with these people, and as an actor, it gives you a lot of confidence and encouragement and it boosts morale like you would have no idea. When you’re somebody who is always watching other people get all the attention and then somebody says, “Hey, can I interview you?” All of a sudden, it’s like a gateway into feeling like a star and feeling like you’re ready to go to the next level. So what you do is very special, Ruth, and you should know that.

Thank you, Kris. It really goes back to how things were for me when I was growing up. I was the one who had the talent, but typically got overlooked. Someone else got the solo or the speaking part, and so I know how hard it can be. And then when I became a music teacher, I was always looking for those students who may be getting passed over but had the talent. I would do my best to feature them when I could. What I will say is that Hallmark is very loyal to its lead and supporting cast, which I so appreciate.

Jill Wagner, Kristoffer Polaha, Preston Vanderslice, Louriza Tronco Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

It’s an amazing feeling to be working for a company that remembers you and likes you. And then when they like you, they are like, “We like you, and we’re not gonna be shy about it.” Too many times in this industry, people play games like “hard to get” or “you never know where you stand.” It trickles down sometimes from the representatives you have. I’ve been blessed to have amazing agents and managers. But I’ve heard stories where people don’t know if their agent is actually going to work to get them a job or even tell them if the show is picked up or not. Then when you add in ratings and critics, there are a lot of insecurities in this business. So when you work for a company that’s like, “Yeah, we like you. We’re gonna put you in another movie. And we’re gonna do it again. And we’re gonna do it again. And we’re gonna do it again.” It allows you to take some roots and like anything that was potted and then is put into the ground, you watch it flourish. Let me use the fruit tree as an example. If you keep a peach tree in a little pot–and most actors are like peach trees in a pot–we bear fruit. But when you take that outside and you stick it in the ground and you nourish it and it gets fresh sunshine, those roots can dig deep. It’s a whole different ballgame. And that’s where you get to see actors bear fruit that’s really kind of amazing.

Kristoffer Polaha Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman

It used to be the star system with Warner Brothers and Paramount Pictures and Sony or Columbia. Back in the day, they had like a farm system of actors all the way up to Tom Cruise. Paramount was the production company that made all those Tom Cruise movies that we grew up with from Top Gun all the way through. Do you remember when he stood on the couch on Oprah and he was dating Katie Holmes? There was a shift, and all of a sudden, he left Paramount. Brad Pitt kind of took his place at Paramount, and Brad Pitt’s career suddenly took off because he had a studio that was guaranteeing him a movie a year. Clint Eastwood works for Warner Bros. almost exclusively. George Clooney has a production company with Warner Bros. almost exclusively. And when you have a company that says,” We believe in you. You’re good for us,” you get amazing product. And that’s what Hallmark is doing with a lot of their actors. Like that one that just happened at Graceland. Or you look at Taylor Cole. Or when they like something and the audience likes something and they give the audience a sequel.

Photo: Jill Wagner, Kristoffer Polaha Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Allan Stephen

For Mystery 101, they paired up Jill and I for Pearl In Paradise. And then Bill Abbott was like, “You know what? I like them. I like their chemistry. Let’s give them a mystery.” And there was no “wait and see” how the first one does. We knew we were going to make four in the series. We didn’t know exactly when, but we knew they were coming. And here we are! And we are so grateful to you and everyone else for getting the word out for people to watch and tweet. The fans have to be vocal about how much they love these things. Hallmark does listen to its fans. The fans are important to them. And you guys are important to us actors too. We love having interaction with people who love these movies. It’s part of why doing these movies is so much fun. It’s a community. I know I keep saying this in many different interviews, but the fan base is truly as intense as the Marvel Universe is for my thirteen-year-old son. He loves Marvel the same way that you love Hallmark. There is no difference. So for me being a part of the Hallmark universe is a joy because of you guys and because of how intense people are about it.

Kristoffer Polaha, Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman

Well, you know I’m definitely intense about Hallmark. My absolute favorites are the mystery series. There has not been a mystery series that I haven’t enjoyed on Hallmark. I know the first ones in a series are typically good, but I notice that each one gets better and better. 

I hope ours is that way.

It might sound ridiculous, but honestly as far as I’m concerned, while there are no guarantees, I go into each one expecting it to be good, and more than likely, they exceed my expectations. And Mystery 101: Playing Dead did all that. 

That’s good to know, Ruth.

And in addition to Mystery 101, Run the Race is out on DVD and streaming now, right?

Yes, you can get it at Walmart or on demand or in your hotel room–I just found it in mine. But you can get it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, and probably anywhere else if you look for it.

Run the Race

I continue to recommend it to people. I don’t know if you remember just how excited I was when it came to our city’s movie theater. It had been out a few weeks, and it showed up at our local theater. That’s when I announced that the family would be going to see it. It wasn’t, “Do you want to see it?” It was, “We’re going to see it.” Now while my daughter didn’t go see it, I was able to see it with my parents. 

That’s right. I remember that your dad thoroughly enjoyed it.

Yes, he did. In fact, he didn’t fall asleep during it, and that’s quite a recommendation right there. He falls asleep during seventy-five percent of what he watches. And yes, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Your role was very different from what we are used to seeing you on Hallmark. But the message was incredible.

It was a nice story to be a part of. Obviously, the Tim Tebow aspect of it…my kids’ childhood hero is Tim Tebow. Caleb got to meet Tim. Tim is so generous and a truly unique individual. He’s cut from a different cloth than I think most people are. If your kids are going to have a role model that’s not you, Tim Tebow is a good one to have.

Absolutely. And the story was one…we weren’t sure what direction it was going to go. It kept us guessing. 

Right, it kept you engaged.

I got really emotional towards the end. I wasn’t expecting that.

Yeah, it is heartening.

People kept saying to be sure to take a box of Kleenex.

Run the Race

I sat next to my little grandma in the movie theater. She’s ninety-two years old now. We got to the end of the movie, and she started weeping like a baby. That’s what made me sad. I was going, ” No, Nanny, Nanny, it’s a movie! It’s okay!” A part of me loved the fact that she was so affected by it. And another part of me was thinking how it was amazing storytelling that I could be a part of something that draws you in and allows the floodgates to open. There’s something very cathartic about that. There’s a release of emotions with films like that. And sometimes you’re ready for it. Sometimes you’ve anticipated that and you want that to happen. Sometimes it gobsmacks you and you’re unaware that you needed that release. But when provoked, the floodgates open. There’s something cool about that. I love it when that happens to me. And I really enjoyed being a part of that movie because it really did the job.

I know you posted about not being able to live tweet with the movie this past weekend. 

Yeah, that’s right. I was traveling during that time. But hopefully, everyone noticed that when I landed I got on Twitter for a moment and read through all those tweets. I want everyone to know I really appreciated the support. I always appreciate the support of the fans. I responded as much as I could, even though it wasn’t live.

Jill told me beforehand that she was sure we wouldn’t be able to figure out who dunnit. And she was right. She said she even had the script, and she was confused. My mom and I were a bit confused and had to run back the explanation a couple times to understand exactly what was going on.

Yeah, one of our things was with the first Mystery 101, we felt that it was too obvious. You saw the murderer way too much. The person was nice, but kept showing up. So we had a conversation with the writers and we were like, “Is there any way that we can bury the mystery a little deeper so that it’s harder to solve the cases?” And to our writers’ credit, they have been doing a really good job with creating complex mysteries that are intricate with red herrings and facts and clues and information that are dropped throughout the movie. If you’re truly a mystery buff and you truly love solving the mysteries as you go, I think that two, three, and four are going to stand up as good, old-fashioned whodunnits. Like, “Woh, hold it! What’s happening here?!”

I know this second one sure did, Kris, and we’re all looking forward to these next two. And I have to say, we are all hoping that you get cast in another Christmas movie this year as well.

I hope so too. I think you and the fans need to start an online campaign. In fact, here’s what I’m curious about. Who would you like to see me paired up with in a Hallmark Christmas movie, and who would the fans like to see me paired up with?

Photo: Emilie Ullerup, Kristoffer Polaha Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Sven Boecker

Wow, Kris, that’s a good question. You’ve been paired up with some great ladies. 

Fans have already seen me with Emilie Ullerup, Lindy Booth, and Ashley Newbrough.

And they were all so good. And as I start thinking, I believe everyone I can think of has already been cast in a Christmas movie. Danica McKellar, Lacey Chabert…Jen Lilley might be nice. I think that could be an interesting pairing.

Ashley Newbrough, Kristoffer Polaha Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

That would be interesting. So here is what I would like for you to do, Ruth. I would like for you to promote what I’m going to call the Kristoffer Polaha Fantasy Casting Challenge. I would like for Hallmarkies who are reading this interview right now to let Hallmark know who they would like to see me paired up with in a perfect world. And let’s have two categories. People who are already cast in Hallmark movies for the Christmas season, and people who aren’t already cast. I usually get cast very late in the season. With Emilie, it was September. It was October with Lindy. And with Ashley, it was November before I got cast in Small Town Christmas. I almost feel like Hallmark tends to wait with me because they know they can get a good movie out of me, so they tend to wait and see what they need to fill for the holiday season, which is fine with me by the way. But it would be fun to know who the fans would like to see me opposite. To be honest, I would feel a little sad if they left me out of the Christmas movie line-up this year.

You’ve got it, Kris. I’ll get the word out. And of course, as I prepare this, you know that Christmas In July is quickly coming up. So many of your movies will start to play again. I’m sure all three Christmas movies that you’ve done will make their rounds during July.

Photo: Kristoffer Polaha, Lindy Booth, Treat Williams Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

They’ve already been doing something a little different with the ten-year anniversary of Countdown To Christmas, right? Aren’t they playing Christmas movies every week?

Yes, Thursday on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Friday on the Hallmark Channel. And some of yours have already gotten to be played this year because of that. In fact, I think Hearts of Christmas played just this past week.

I think you’re right. Someone called it a Kristoffer Polaha weekend or something like that.

I would l0ve to see you cast with a new Hallmark actress, someone who hasn’t been on the network. I think you’re the ideal person to do that with. They like to bring in a new person to Hallmark opposite an established person with the network.

I have to admit I’ve been thinking of reaching out to Shiri Appleby.

Oh my goodness, Kris! That is a pairing I would love to see on the network! 

Kristoffer Polaha Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

I have a really cool movie that I’m producing that takes place in a beautiful tropical location, and I thought about reaching out to Stana Katic from Castle for that one. Her audience for Castle is at least a similar audience if not the same for Hallmark. And that Castle audience is amazing too. I think people would get a kick out of that, and we had really great chemistry on Castle. Beyond that, obviously Nikki DeLoach and I have worked together in the past. On her show, Awkward, I played her high school boyfriend in flashbacks. But we’ve never done a movie together. And we haven’t done a Hallmark together.

I look forward to seeing who people would like to see you paired up with. I wish I could think of a hashtag for it, but maybe one of my readers can come up with a hashtag. Something with Kris and Christmas. 

In addition to everything I’ve mentioned, there is a movie I’m working on with Michael Larkin, who was the producer for Rocky Mountain Christmas. We have a wonderful writer who is coming up with a great script that has been greenlit. Our writer’s name is Geralyn Corcillo. And she is new to the Hallmark world. But she’s got two scripts. One was a spec script that was used to hire her for us to get approval from executive Randy Pope. They bought the spec script and our idea, so she has two scripts in the pipes with them, which is really great. She’s got a wonderful writing voice, and she’s a strong female and a fan of the network and she understands how the stories work. I’m looking forward to working with her in the future on other stuff too.

Now in addition to Hallmark, in other news, I’m a member of the DC Universe. I’m doing reshoots for Wonder Woman 1984 this summer, which will be released June 2, 2020. So that’s something pretty cool too.

I am a latecomer to all the superhero movies, but I will make it a point that my daughter and I see it next summer. We already saw the ads for it at our local theater. I loved Wonder Woman when I finally got the chance to see it. 

Definitely see it in the theater if you can.

Well, I am very excited for Mystery 101 since the first and second were so amazing. 

I noticed the networks like to do two or three at a time on back-to-back weekends. I notice they did that with Ali Sweeney’s Chronicle Mysteries.

Mystery 101

That’s true. It started with Garage Sale Mysteries a couple of years ago, and it took off, so now they try to show two or three at a time for all these mystery series.

That’s a good marketing technique, I would say.

Speaking of Ali Sweeney, that is someone I’d love to see you paired up with.

Oh, Ali is a wonderful example of a very smart, talented, independent woman who is producing those movies of hers. I saw her when she was doing location scouting for her next Chronicle Mysteries film while we were filming Playing Dead. Ali and my wife are friends from a long time ago. They were both on Days Of Our Lives. So I’ve known Ali for the past eighteen years. I’m so impressed by the powerhouse businessperson she is. She’s producing these movies. She’s orchestrating how they’re written. She hires the directors. She was with the tech scouts. She’s a part of the film every step of the process. I worked with the same costume designer that she did. I asked how it was working for her, and they said, “Oh my gosh, she cares about every little thing.” She’s very hands-on. And she’s raising two amazing kids. She’s also a doting wife and mother. It’s so cool. She is doing a great job. She’s so busy, but it’s inspiring how she is just crushing it. When anybody can do all that she does as well as she does, it’s always great to see.

Back to what you said, we keep saying we’re gonna make a movie together. I’d love to make a movie with her.

Mystery 101

I know she doesn’t always do Christmas movies depending on her time, but she does do them. You two together would be dynamic. I would put that request at the top of my list. 

Well, go ahead and suggest it, and we’ll see what the fans and Hallmark think. I’d love to do any season movie with her whether Christmas or summer or whatever.

Well, I think you two could do a crossover movie with both of your mystery series. I’ve been pushing for crossovers in the mystery series for quite some time. Can you imagine a Chronicle Mysteries/Mystery 101 crossover episode? 

Wow, Ruth, that would be a big deal. That would be like two universes colliding. You would get a big budget, and you’d have four people that the fans love plus all their supporting cast. It would be the marriage of two worlds. You come up with a clever device to get us there or them to us. It would be fun. I can remember when Life Expected did that with One Tree Hill and the fans went crazy. Their minds were blown.

I can imagine. Well, back in the day, there was a Murder, She Wrote/Magnum P.I. crossover. And a Diagnosis Murder/Matlock crossover. Both of those were huge and so much fun. I don’t know about the logistics, but I think the fans would love it. 

Well, Ruth, I say the fans need to talk this up so that the executives begin thinking about it. I think it would be amazing.

Well, Kris, I just want to thank you for taking the time today. It means a lot to be able to chat with you and thank you for the appreciation day as well.

Behind-the-scenes with Jill Wagner
Mystery 101

I’m happy to do it, Ruth. But we’ll have to see what this Ruth Hill Appreciation Day is like in ten years. I was thinking about how recently I was watching American Idol with my family. I was watching those kids go home and prior to being on American Idol, they were just normal citizens. They had their friends and people who loved them, but they weren’t celebrated and loved in the way they are now when they went home with cameras and had all the attention of the media…what we call fame. I remarked to my kids while we were watching…I have a really strange relationship with being someone who is moderately famous. I’m a quasi-celebrity. I have the perks of being sort of famous, but I’m not mobbed. I can go to Disneyland, and I will get recognized, but it’s not like I can’t function. I can go to the grocery store and I can function. I can go places with my kids, and we’re not interrupted, and then when we are, it’s always charming. But it happens so infrequently. For me, it’s this litmus test of where you are in the industry. And it becomes a whole other conversation when you are watching it on American Idol. I realized in a moment that I think God gave us fame to show us how much we are loved. Does that make sense?

Yes, it does.

Kristoffer Polaha Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Sven Boecker

In its purest form, which is when these kids go home and the cameras are rolling and these young people come out and the town just screams their name…the streets are lined and they are waving banners and they show up to the concert and all it is is about loving this person. And for whatever reason, it is compelling those people out there to love that person. Maybe it’s just to be a part of the thing and the cameras are there and they’ll be on TV. We know it’s not genuine love; it’s fame. And fame is a fleeting thing. But it’s there. And it’s cut in half. There’s a human element to fame, but I think there’s another reason why. I think God put it into the human psyche because He wants to give us a preview of what it’s gonna be like when we’re up there with Him. And for me, I love the idea of International Ruth Hill Day because you deserve to be loved the way that you love. It’s great to let it rain on you, and I hope it continues to build for you throughout the years. So don’t thank me now. I think it’s the idea that when you can pull attention to anybody and it’s a selfless thing where you just want to celebrate the person, I think that’s kind of how we all should move through the world. You know what I mean? Anyway, I know this is a very deep conversation, but thank you for letting me have it.

Kris, that’s what I love to do with my interviews! Do you realize how much more we just got to know you as a result of what you said? That’s what I like to do. Thank you so much, Kris, for sharing as you did. I have a feeling that the fans are gonna love what you have to say. And thank you for being so encouraging to me. I really appreciate that. Oh, and by the way, I listened to you on the Bubbly Sesh too.

Oh, really?

Yes, but I knew from the moment you started that you and Jill were up to something. I just had a feeling.

You did not! You were fooled right along with them.

No, this time, I wasn’t. I have been with others. I could tell you a story about how Jack Wagner once got one over on me. (Read about that here.)

Polaha family

Well, those two wanted to prank Jill, and she and I decided to prank them. I’m glad that made the episode. It all stemmed from a prank Jill pulled on me for April Fool’s Day this year. I was looking at a new house, and I was literally standing there talking to the representative for the house. And Jill calls me. I couldn’t answer it. So she texts me. She’s like, “Buddy, sorry I got this amazing gig in a movie, and it’s a big franchise and we film in Bulgaria” or someplace like that. This was before we were gonna do Mystery 101 2, 3, and 4. She told me that her whole summer was done and she couldn’t do these movies. I went white, and I left the house, saying, “Thank you so much.” My wife asked me, “What do you think?” And I said, “Babe, we gotta get in the car.” My wife said, “What’s up?” And I started telling her how Jill couldn’t do any more Mystery 101. I mean, Jill had me! My wife looked at me and said, “Babe, it’s April Fool’s Day. Jill is fooling you.” I was like, “I don’t know.” She got me so good that I was sweating. And then I was like, “Dang you!” And that’s why we pranked the Bubbly Sesh ladies.

Well, you did it well, and you definitely got them good. It was a fun episode to listen to. So thank you again, Kris. I’ll let you go.

You’re welcome, Ruth. Thank you for your time and letting me really share as I did. I look forward to chatting again soon. And I hope everyone continues to enjoy Mystery 101.

Kristoffer Polaha Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Starbuck/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC.

As I reflected on my interview with Kris, I was dumbfounded at the direction this chat went and how much territory we covered. In fact, that is one of my all-time favorite things about doing these interviews. I never know exactly what trajectory any given interview will take, and the more I chat with the person, the more I genuinely get to understand them. And because we have a solid foundation, we begin to have extraordinarily heartfelt chats that demonstrate how incredibly phenomenal these people are. Kris is one who consistently thinks on a rather esoteric level. Sure, he has a great sense of humor, and comedy is always at the door just waiting to poke its head through any open crack. But the beauty of these conversations is that I am at liberty to allow Kris the freedom to share his heart. And no matter what one appears to be on the exterior or how cleverly they display their craft on screen, it is all for naught if that person has an odious or artificial heart. I can unreservedly declare that Kristoffer Polaha possesses one of the most brilliantly attractive hearts in the business, and connecting with him is a sincere blessing. Yes, it is an unexpected delight to have him proclaim a day in my honor (he is the first person to EVER do that in my entire life), but that is not why I support this man in his artistic and personal endeavors. While I have not had the honor of meeting him in the flesh, there was an instant connection that can only be explained by divine appointment. While it may sound trite, I can guarantee that when God draws people of faith together in a way that wouldn’t make sense in the natural world, it can only be described as a humbling, enthralling experience that reminds you of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty. Thankfully, my persistence in attempting to interview Kris finally came to fruition. (I asked him the first time back during The Dater’s Handbook, but he never responded.) And in truth, I cannot imagine my life without having the inspirational, kind, sensitive, and supportive Kristoffer Polaha in my life. 

If you have not had the opportunity to watch Mystery 101: Playing Dead, you may have to wait until Christmas In July is over in order to watch this film on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries again. However, do not despair because more are coming, and there is even a preview of the third one over on the Hallmark website. I cannot wait till the next two come our way this September! I am not certain when these mysteries are scheduled to air in Canada or elsewhere in the world, but I’m sure they will find their places eventually on other networks, so keep watching for them and requesting them if you are so inclined. In the meantime, be sure to keep an eagle eye out for Kris’ Christmas movies this next month as I am sure they will be playing at some point. And while you’re doing all that, don’t forget to suggest to Hallmark and to Kris who your choices are for the Kristoffer Polaha Fantasy Casting Challenge! And if that isn’t enough to keep you entertained, be sure that you head to Kris’ links below and follow him on social media. When it comes to Kris, you never know what exactly to expect, but you can always count on his posts to be hilarious, profound, authentic, and uplifting. I cannot thank Hallmark enough for continuing their partnership with Kris over the years, and I can hardly wait to see what the future holds for him in this world where he is adored and admired. However, no matter what, I intend to be a sympathetic, encouraging ally as he moves forward in his career and his life, and I am eternally grateful to him for showering me with the kind of love that only comes from God on High! That is a gift for which I shall never be able to reimburse him, but I intend to dedicate the rest of my life to attempting to repay him the debt that I most obviously owe!

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READ MY OTHER INTERVIEWS WITH KRIS

Interview With Actor Kristoffer Polaha, “Small Town Christmas”

Interview With Actor Kristoffer Polaha, “Pearl in Paradise”

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