From the moment I first spied Madison Smith as Tyler Burgess, the love interest of Hannah Shannon in Garage Sale Mystery: The Wedding Dress, I knew Madison was destined for prominent things. Over the past four years, I have watched Madison mature and expand his horizons with Hallmark and elsewhere. I was so pleased to see him featured in Write Before Christmas, the new Hallmark Channel Christmas film that premiered on November 17th, and it is my honor to share my most recent chat with Madison where we discussed what he has been doing since Falling For You and beyond!
Photo Credit: Mandisa Photo
RH: Madison, it’s so great to chat with you again!
MS: Same here, Ruth, thanks for inviting me here again.
It’s been quite a while since we caught up. In fact, the last time we spoke, you weren’t engaged yet.
That’s right!
I was so excited when you two got engaged. Do you guys have wedding plans coming up any time soon?
Well, we are both in the arts. She’s a dancer; I am an actor. It’s one of those things where we’re not not excited about getting married, but we do know that we have other things going on and we do have to prioritize. Although we’re excited about getting married, we are both excited about what the next couple of years is going to entail when it comes to acting and dance, not just our wedding. We can’t wait to be married. So while we’re very excited to get married, we’re in no rush.
I fully understand what you’re saying, Madison, and at least for you two, this next step was getting engaged. I know you both had been together for quite some time, but in this day and age, it’s not like you have to get engaged and right away run off and get married.
For me, I always thought that getting engaged was such a big step. You’re both planning on going to your own wedding once you’re engaged, but the actual asking of “Will you marry me?” For me, that seemed like a bigger step than the actual “I do.” By the time you get to that point, you’re both on the same page. But when you’re asking, as much as you might have a lot of confidence, there is a chance that you can get the wrong answer. {laughs} I was sweating quite a bit that day. I still remember that after we were done–it was Disneyland where I asked her if she would marry me–we went on one ride afterwards. And then I basically said, “Hey, can we go back to the hotel? I need a nap. I’m so tired!” {laughs} She went, “Yep, that’s fine.” I basically napped, and she texted and Instagrammed every friend she ever had, telling them that she was engaged.
I think there is a lot of pressure on the guy if things are done in the traditional way where the guy is asking the girl. I know sometimes it happens the opposite way nowadays. But I’m still kind of old-fashioned that way. I think it’s kinda cool that you asked her.
I actually asked her mom and dad before I asked her. That was also pretty scary. Again, not in a way that I was worried they would say “no.” But I always thought that was important. My family and her family had a nice weekend at my parents’ cabin up in northern British Columbia. I was so nervous. We had three days of being together, and I waited till the third day because I just didn’t know…first of all, I had to find a way to get Hannah away. She couldn’t be around when I asked. And then that stepping off the ledge and asking was a scary time. I was really asking, “Hey, will you let me marry your daughter and take care of her the rest of my life? Because I’d like to.” This was my third time meeting her mom and dad, and even though I’d know them for two years, it was still a nerve-wracking thing to go through it.
Once I got the okay from them, then I bought the ring. I had to buy a fanny pack for when I went to Disneyland so I had somewhere to put the ring. I kind of felt dumb from the first moment I bought it, but then I decided I liked it. It was a Herschel one. But I had to convince Hannah that it was okay for me to get it. You know, kind of like, “I kind of want a bag for my stuff because I get nervous about my things.” She offered to put my stuff in her backpack, but I said, “You know me, I’m kinda crazy.” And she was like, “Oh yeah, that’s true, you are.” I was thinking, “Oh man, it’s too bad that my excuse of being crazy worked,” ’cause that meant I was a little bit crazy.
{laughs} Well, that is such a great story, Madison. I would say that is the perfect Hallmark movie story.
Honestly, I love that. If you tell me that I have a Hallmark movie romance, that’s the greatest romance you can have. I think every time you see a romance in a Hallmark movie, they show that these two people connect and love each other, and I think that’s nice. We had to do long-distance for a little bit, and we had setbacks in our relationship when it came to the distance, but we got past it. I’ll take what you said, and I’ll agree.
With his fiancé Hannah
That’s great, Madison, and I don’t think I’m the only one who would say this sounds like a Hallmark romance. And the fact that you’re being somewhat old-fashioned in how you went about everything and being a gentleman…I just love that kind of stuff. I’m not trying to say that everything was wonderful back during those times, and I’m glad that some things have changed in our culture. But when it comes to romance, I still like some of the old ways.
Absolutely. Looking back on the past, I don’t think anyone would ever say you shouldn’t be a gentleman. I think those are the things that we can say when we’re reminiscing on the past, I think they mean they’re reminiscent of the good things. Looking back on the past, there are bad things that I think we all wish didn’t exist, but there are some really great things that happened too. It was still common for a gentleman to hold the door for a lady, and I try to do that as often as I can for Hannah. In the days of old, there were some gentlemen, and I think it would be nice if we had some gentlemen today. I think if there were gentlemen, I think we wouldn’t have had so many problems with the bad things that have happened in Hollywood.
I am in full agreement with you, Madison. I never expect to have anyone open the door for me or to treat me like a lady, but trust me…I definitely notice when a man goes out of his way to treat me as a gentleman should treat a lady.
phoebemiuphotography
I think a lot of the manners I learned came from my mom. My mom was a big advocate of that. I remember my mom teaching me manners when I was a kid. I remember being with her in a restaurant and ordering my food from the waitress, and when the waitress walked away, my mom didn’t embarrass me in front of her. But my mom said, “Madison, just so you know, you didn’t look her in the eye the entire time. That is very disrespectful.” And from that moment, I was like, “I will never do that again.” I’m sure it’s because I’m a server as well and have served for almost ten years and I appreciate it. But when someone looks you in the eye to thank you, it does feel a lot better than just feeling like a floating head over top just asking, “What do you want to eat?”
Now, the last time we talked was right before we saw you in Falling For You earlier this year.
Yes, where Matt Visser and I played brothers.
Taylor Cole, Chris Shields, Matt Visser, Madison Smith Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss
I loved the movie anyway, and even though your part was small, it was great. I think a lot of Hallmark fans would remember your character from that film.
It was a really fun one, and I got to work with Taylor Cole, who I was a huge fan of for years. And I also got to do the TV show Salvation, and even though we were both in the same episode, we never crossed paths in that show. But then working on Falling For You with her was one of those dreams come true. I love that I can look back on some of the little wins in my career. I remember watching Taylor Cole on a show called The Event almost ten years ago and now being able to sit and chat with her was such a surreal moment. I had such a blast on that one.
Valentine In the Vineyard
Then earlier this year, we saw you in Valentine In the Vineyard. In fact, I have the awesome memory of being with Marcus Rosner in a coffee shop when he got the call from his agent about doing this third Vineyard film. But then when I interviewed Marcus right before the movie premiered, he raved about you. While it was unfortunate the other actor who had played that character in the previous two films was unavailable, but seeing you in the role was fantastic. It was like you just fit right in.
Oh, thank you. It was honestly a blast. Marcus is probably the first person I called after I found out I booked the role because Marcus is one of my best friends since I moved to Vancouver. So the idea that we got to work together on a movie was amazing. Then I got to work with Stephanie Bennett, who was a girl I’d been in class with and who I had known in Vancouver for about five or six years. It was all great things about being able to be a part of that movie. Working With Brendan Penny…he’s one of the most fun people I’ve ever got to meet. The whole cast from top to bottom, everybody I got to work with was just a pleasure from start to finish. The cast, the crew. I had worked with Terry Ingram early on in my career. In fact, he was my first-ever director on set in a movie called Chupacabra vs. the Alamo, a rather quirky little sci-fi movie where my unmentionables get eaten off by a monster. So getting to work with him again was fantastic.
Valentine In the Vineyard
And as it turned out, not only was the gentleman who I replaced unavailable, but the guy who played Rachael Leigh Cook‘s brother was also unavailable. So the love story between Stephanie’s and my character was actually supposed to be him. It was supposed to be Rachel’s brother with her college study partner. But because he was unavailable, they just ended up combining both stories. So I was with Brendan at the holistic planting thing, and also I had the crossover with Steph’s character. So I had a whole bunch I got to do, and it was amazing. I had so much fun. My two days on the farm with Brendan were fantastic, and all the stuff I got to do with Steph when we were downtown was great. It was a blast.
Madison Smith; Brendan Penny; Michael Kopsa; Marcus Rosner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs
Well, I thought it came off very well, and I think the fans liked it too. With this particular series, it was one that you either liked or you didn’t. But I noticed with this one, even if people hadn’t seen the other two, they seemed to really like this one. This was one that had its ups and downs and had to be rescheduled a few times. But the fans seemed to like it, and some are saying we need more in the series.
I know, I was all excited about that. If they don’t want to do another one with Brendan and Rachel, they could just have Stephanie and me as the leads. We’ll do it. We could have our own little thing. Dog-walking and winemaking.
Valentine In the Vineyard
I’d be all for that. I was just glad this one did well because sometimes when characters have to be replaced, the fans aren’t kind to the actor who takes that person’s place. But the fans seemed to really like you.
That’s just the nature of the business. Sometimes they have to replace people for various reasons. Everyone was super open and welcoming. And it was obviously very wonderful to have already have worked with Rachael in Frozen In Love. And to be close with Marcus. And getting to know Brendan was just a wonderful thing. It is one of the greatest experiences I’ve had on a show up to this point.
Write Before Christmas
I was very happy to find out that you got cast in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
I’m very excited, yeah.
And I was even happier when I realized which one it was. Write Before Christmas was one of the movies they highlighted in the Christmas In July preview show, and from the moment I heard the premise for this one, I knew this was going to be a phenomenal movie. I didn’t even know who was in it at that point. I probably didn’t even care. I just thought the story sounded great. And I think you messaged me about being in a Christmas movie coming up, and once I made the connection about which one it was, I was ecstatic!
This one is amazing. It stars Torrey DeVitto and Chad Michael Murray, which is already exciting.
Yes, and it sounds like it’s something very different for Hallmark too.
Write Before Christmas
It’s really fun and a little bit different because it has multiple storylines that are connected by one thing. Other non-Hallmark movies have done similar things, so Hallmark is kind of doing a play off of that. Almost like a Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve movie where you have four or five storylines that intersect and end up coming together. It was really cool to work on this one. I know that you interviewed the actress who played my love interest, Lanie McAuley. She and I have our own story in the movie. It was kind of awesome to have our own mini-movie inside of a movie where nothing else going on outside our story really affects us. But as the story goes on, you see that it is connected. We had a really close time of working together. We did it all in only a couple of days and then put it all together. We had a blast doing it. Some of the best scenes that we got to do were on our last day.
So can you tell us a little bit about your character?
Write Before Christmas
Absolutely. I play Carter, Torrey’s character’s younger brother. Carter is a private in the U.S. army. He’s at base training and waiting for his orders for where he’s gonna be sent next. It’s his first time away from his sister for Christmas, and he misses her quite a bit. He runs into this lovely young girl who he is immediately attracted to. She is played by Lanie. He puts his foot in his mouth, as I think all Madison Smith characters do, which is always fun. The audience follows our relationship as it grows. Before the title was changed to Write Before Christmas, it was called Five Cards of Christmas, which meant that it followed five storylines. What brings it all together is I get a card from my older sister, which is what sort of brings Lanie and me together and connects our story to everything else. We got to have some really fun times. We got to have a snowball fight in the middle of June, which was a really good time. I’m excited for everybody to get to see it.
Write Before Christmas
How cool is it that you get to work with Lanie? Those of us who watch Chesapeake Shores saw her this past season and got introduced to her that way because I was unfamiliar with her before that. And you two got to work together! I just love the whole idea behind this movie. Torrey’s character has purchased five Christmas cards for her boyfriend who breaks up with her before Christmas, and rather than just throw the cards away, she sends them to five people who have impacted her life.
Write Before Christmas
It was so heartwarming. Even when we were reading the script, everything about it had such a heartwarming Christmas feel to it. Every part of the story made me happy. Everything that Carter does for Lanie’s character always just warmed my heart. He’s just a young, nice guy who really wants to make this girl he just met very happy. This person he just met is going through a hard time, and he doesn’t really hold anything back. He just wants to make this person smile. It’s kind of cool how the whole movie stems from the idea that Torrey’s character is going to send some cards to people who mean a lot to her in her life. And then we see how it reverberates out and pays it forward. It was a really cool one to be a part of.
Write Before Christmas
Doing that instead of saying, “Well, I’m just gonna sit here and eat chocolate and cry…” how cool is that? She took something that had broken her heart and went outside of herself to do something for other people. I really think that’s special. That’s the best thing she could have done in that situation. And how cool to have you back, Madison. We’ve missed you.
I missed it too. It’s always a pleasure to be on Hallmark because when I watch and live-tweet along with the fans, everybody’s so happy. Everybody is so engaged. It’s nice when you have a scene that felt good, and then you look on Twitter and go, “Wow, people are really enjoying it.” I enjoy doing it, but at the same time, to know that the fans are enjoying it…that above and beyond is the greatest part about being on Hallmark.
Write Before Christmas
Well, I have to say, before watching it, it was in my top five most-anticipated movies. Or at least top ten. And it did not disappoint.
I’m so glad to hear that, Ruth. When I went in for ADR, I was talking with our director, and he said he was really happy with the movie and that Hallmark seemed really happy with it too. I’m excited for the fans to see it if they have not. Or to rewatch it as well.
So as I was looking at what’s coming up for you, I noticed Riverdale in your credits. You’re finally going to be on that show?
Yes, I actually was on Riverdale earlier this month, episode five of season four. I don’t have a lot of information about what my character will be in the long run. I also don’t want to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet. My character has a lot to do with Jughead’s storyline with the new school he’s going to. When you watch the episode, or if you already have, I play Young Francis Dupont, so I’m sure people will understand that there is an older Francis Dupont. And my character may not be present-day.
I am not caught up on the current season, but I have been a fan from the beginning. So I’ll be watching for your character.
Speaking of Riverdale, I think that’s a show that has done a great job of keeping you on your toes and keeping you excited about what’s to come. I find that sometimes shows that are twenty-two episodes this day and age have a hard time sometimes keeping you invested because it can sometimes feel too drawn out. But I find with Riverdale that so much is going on. They feed you enough information that you’re always excited, and every episode is one you cannot miss. It was really awesome to be on Sabrina a couple of seasons ago. And now having the chance to be on a show like Riverdale, I’m so happy to work with Berlanti Productions. They’re so fun to watch, and everything about it is entertainment.
Anything else coming up that you can mention?
Write Before Christmas
Yes, I have something I’m really excited about. I can say I will be a part of a Netflix series for its second season in a couple of episodes. Once I’m able to let you know which series it is, I will absolutely let you know. I’m really excited, and some of my favorite scenes I ever got to shoot, and some of my favorite stuff I ever got to be a part of happened in this one. And honestly, it’s one of the greatest casts I ever got to work with. So I’m really excited. I can’t wait to tell everyone.
That is just great, Madison. I’m glad there are so many great things filming up in Vancouver now. With all the network stuff, Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus…it’s a great time to be in the industry.
I love the industry. I love the struggle, and I love the success. I love it when you get the little success and the little wins. I’m so happy I get to do this for my job…for my career.
Madison, as long as I’ve known you, you have always had the right attitude, and it’s great to see that hasn’t changed about you. You have grown and matured, and it’s just fabulous to be able to follow your journey.
Thank you, Ruth, for all your support. And I’m just grateful for the support of all the fans. Hallmark has been so great, and I really hope everyone gets to see Write Before Christmas and really enjoys it.
Madison is one of those extraordinary young men whose journey is such a pleasure to follow. He has never uttered a negative word about anyone or anything in this business, and whenever I reach out to him, he is invariably amenable to an interview to promote all of his past, present and upcoming projects. Moreover, he is not an impatient man by any means. When I explained why I delayed the publishing of this interview, he was extremely kind and supportive and never once made any demands nor expressed any demeaning sentiments. For those who have seen Write Before Christmas, I have no doubt that his portrayal of Carter had to totally knock your socks off! I already have a great deal of respect for the military, and the fact that Madison was circumspect and respectful about how he played every portion of Private Carter’s journey…I was absolutely thrilled! There is no doubt in my mind that those early lessons his mom taught him about behaviors and respect have paid off abundantly in this role as well as everything else he does in this industry.
If you have not had the opportunity to watch him in Write Before Christmas, there are several more opportunities to see it this season on the Hallmark Channel, the first of which happens to be November 20th (check your schedule and local times for more). For my Canadian friends who have not seen it, check the schedule for W Network to see when the next rebroadcast will be. In addition to all of this, be sure that you visit Madison’s links below and consider following him where applicable. As an actor who has played practically everything on Hallmark heretofore, Madison has more than earned his first lead role with the network, and I sincerely hope that honor is soon to come his way. While we have no control over who is cast when and where, I think most Hallmarkies would agree that Madison has proceeded to demonstrate that his unpretentious values, his humble attitude, and his obvious talents make him an unequivocal choice for leading man in the near future. Regardless, I know that we will continue to delight and revel in the career Madison has steadily been building, and I know that we shall endeavor to support him in whatever roles, films, and shows happen to come his way for the duration of his career!
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CHECK OUT MY OTHER INTERVIEW WITH MADISON
Write Before Christmas
Interview With Actor Madison Smith, “Salvation” & “Narcoleap”
