Since Gloria arrived in Cedar Cove several years ago, I have been a huge fan of the actress who gave her life, Tara Wilson. I have kept up with her both professionally and personally, and it is quite exciting to know that she is coming back this Christmas to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries in a new Christmas movie, A Christmas Miracle. Recently, Tara and I had a chance to chat, and in anticipation of tonight’s premiere, it is my honor to share our interview with my readers.
RH: Tara, it’s been so long since we’ve talked! So good to chat with you again.
TW: Yes, Ruth, it has been a long time. Thanks for asking me back.
Photo: Tara Wilson, AREN BUCHHOLZ Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
In fact, the last time we talked was right before we saw you in Wedding March 2: Resorting To Love, and you were going to about to be married in real life.
That’s right!
And now you’re married, and you have a little one.
You’re exactly right, Ruth, and it’s so good to be back chatting with you again.
Well, I’m glad to see you coming back to acting. I can imagine that can’t be the easiest thing to do after having a child.
No, it’s not. It’s also a little scary going into it after having had a child. I had actually hoped that I would have been able to continue acting while I was pregnant because I felt great while I was pregnant. But for whatever reason, it did not work out that way. But afterwards, I was able to start working pretty shortly after my son’s birth. I think I had a lot of great support too. From my agent, with casting, from the producers. In fact, the first job I had after giving birth, I was able to have my son on set with me, and that was so helpful.
family
{BABY INTERRUPTION–how cute is that?}
How old is he now?
He’s fifteen months. He’s into everything now. {laughs}
Oh, yes, I remember those years. I remember when my daughter was that age, but as much as I loved her back then, I really love her even more now. When they get to be a little bit older, you can have a real relationship with them. I have been taking my daughter to see musicals since she was barely over a year old.
Oh, that’s awesome!
And she loved them then. In fact, she still does. She’s always been fascinated with musicals.
Well, musicals are a really great idea because there’s lots going on. There’s music and more noise going on than just people talking quietly, so if they make a bit of noise too, it’s okay. And that way they don’t bother anyone else.
I know that the toddler ages have their challenges, but one day you’ll look back and remember all those sweet moments too.
Oh, yeah, definitely. My husband loves the saying that goes, “The days are long, but the years are short.”
That’s so true. I do think it’s good that things have changed enough in the industry regarding women who are pregnant or who are mothers.
Very true. I was a little bit frustrated when I was pregnant, but some of that may have just been situational. There were times I wanted to say, “Why can’t this person just happen to be pregnant?” when it came to auditioning for certain roles. But it can be hard with certain stories because a character being pregnant can change a lot of things. And there’s also insurance and other issues to consider in the area of production, so I get that too. But afterwards has been great!
Tara Wilson, Mike Dopud
I do know there are Hallmark actresses who have gotten to work while pregnant, but that has only become more prevalent over the past couple years.
I know I have had friends who were able to work while pregnant, but some of that is just timing. Or there are roles where the character is supposed to be pregnant. But there has been a lot for me after I gave birth. And I know there are certain shows that are able to work around a woman’s pregnancy, but again, that is depending on the situation.
I think that it’s becoming more common. I know Hallmark is doing a great job of working with these ladies while they’re pregnant. I can think of several actresses this year where they have done just that.
That’s so encouraging to hear. I think Hallmark has been pretty good over the years. They just cover it up with a jacket or put a briefcase in front of the actress.
So maybe the other networks are following Hallmark’s lead.
Maybe. But it’s cool to see it happening more and more.
I am very glad that you are back.
Thank you, Ruth.
Tara Wilson, Holly Robinson Peete, Andrew Francis Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer
I know there might have been something before this, but the first time I noticed you showing up after you became a mom was on Morning Show Mysteries: Countdown To Murder.
That actually was the first thing I did once I got back into acting. I did take a little bit of time after I had my son.
I have enjoyed that series anyway, but that one was a really great mystery.
Good, I’m so glad. That was the set where I was able to have my son on set with me while I was filming. They were so supportive.
That series has been ground-breaking for them because of the diverse cast. It is led by two African-Americans, which is just so amazing. And then to have so much diversity in the cast in general. Then it’s based on Al Roker’s books.
The series is really cool.
So I’m assuming your experience on set was just as great as always with Hallmark.
with Holly Robinson Peete
Oh, it’s always great working with Hallmark. I think they hire a lot of the same crew and cast as well for certain things. I think they find good people and then keep them. It feels a lot like family when you’re working with Hallmark. You see tend to see a lot of familiar people when you work with Hallmark. And that’s always nice. It’s a great environment.
Were you a fan of Holly Robinson Peete before you worked with her?
To be honest, I personally didn’t know that much about her. Although, once I looked up her credits, I realized I had seen her in tons of stuff. But even though I wasn’t overly familiar with her, I would mention her to other people, and she was definitely a name that was well-known. And she was just so wonderful to work with.
I can imagine. I have always heard such wonderful things about her. I also didn’t know who Rick Fox was at all until this series came along. But I noticed the guys tend to get excited about working with him.
You know, I mentioned Rick Fox to my stepdad and my dad and all the men in my life, and I also mentioned Holly Robinson Peete because of who she’s married to. And instantly they were like, “Oh, I know who that is.” And it was cool to see how excited they were about this project because who I was working with.
I remember talking with an actor who worked with Rick Fox, and he didn’t know who he was. But he couldn’t get over how tall he was, and then he looked him up and was like, “Oh, he used to play basketball!” {laughs} Now, were you on set when Al Roker was there?
No, as far as I know, I was not on set when he was on set. But I know he was there at some point. I mean, he could have been there when I was there, but we never crossed paths.
Now, once I saw that you were in a Christmas movie coming up this year, I reached out to you immediately. And I’m so glad we get to chat before it premieres!
kris durlen photography
Thanks for reaching out, Ruth. Yes, the movie is called A Christmas Miracle, and it’s with Tamera Mowry-Housley. And speaking of wonderful, amazing people, Tamera is exactly that.
I can imagine. I don’t know her, but I’ve heard great things about her.
Oh my goodness, she is so positive, and she creates such a great environment on set. She’s one of those people who, when she’s on-screen, she just glows. When you’re watching her, it’s just like…oh, wow! I don’t know how to explain it except to say that she really lights up the screen. She’s genuine, humble, and real. She has a great personality, and she is beautiful too, of course. Her personality and positivity really shines through.
I know her sister made a Hallmark movie last year, and I heard glowing reports about her sister, so it’s nice to hear that Tamera is just as great. So with this particular movie, which again is very diverse…I tell you, Tara. You’ve got a pattern going here. You were in a mystery series that is very diverse, and now you’re in a Christmas movie that is also very diverse.
And you know, I was told that Tamera is the first African American actress lead with Hallmark to wear her hair naturally curly. I can’t verify that, but that’s what I was told.
That’s really neat. I so appreciate the organic way Hallmark goes about diversity. They don’t sacrifice the story for diversity, and they always pick the best people regardless of their ethnicity. But I think it’s good that their casts are becoming increasingly diverse. And here you are a part of two groundbreaking movies with Hallmark.
I so agree!
What can you tell us about your character and how she relates to the overall story?
I don’t want to give away too much, but here goes. I play Tamera’s character’s best friend, Nancy. I’ve known her for years, and she has this adorable, cute son. She is trying to balance work life and single mom life. Which is another cool thing I think Hallmark is focusing more on. I think this movie really honors single mom life and shows how hard it can be to balance everything. And of course, we deal with her love life too. {laughs} So I think I’m her support system and confidante. We’re very close–almost like family–and I guide her and push her when she needs a little bit of pushing. And we have a lot of fun together. When she has doubts, I’m the one who nudges her a bit when she needs it.
Well, this one certainly sounds cute, and I’m looking forward to this one for sure. The Hallmark Christmas movies have been very strong this year.
I know Hallmark has a lot of great movies coming out, but what I have seen of A Christmas Miracle is really good. The cast is strong. It is one of those feel-good Christmas movies that Hallmark does so well.
It has been quite a while since we’ve seen you in a Christmas movie.
Yes, it has been. Quite a while.
Once Upon A Holiday was the last time you did a Christmas movie.
That’s right! That was such a fun one.
Once Upon a Holiday
I know that one has already been playing quite a bit this year. Well, Tara, I’m so glad that you are back on our TV screens and that you are a part of this Vancouver film community that is so wonderful and supportive.
They are a really special group of professionals. It is a great community to be a part of. You know, even in auditions, people are so supportive. Sometimes moms have had to bring their kids with them because they have been in a real bind, and all the other moms are so willing to watch the other child while the mom goes into the room. I guess that’s a situation where they are technically in competition–they’re going for the same role–but it’s not like that. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. We know one person will get the role, and we want to help everyone do their best and also make sure the child is okay. I can remember being told by an old acting teacher once that the other girls going for the same role are not your friends, but that’s just not how I see it. Definitely, here, these other women are my friends! We hang out and we have fun. And we’re genuinely happy when one of us gets the role. If we don’t get this role, we might get the next one. It reminds me of what my good friend, Lindsay Maxwell always says. There’s room for everyone. There’s no need to get negative. All good stuff is coming to everyone eventually. We’re all gonna get there in time.
That’s so good to hear, Tara. And it makes me love the Vancouver film community even more. So thank you for telling us about that.
My pleasure. I really hope that everyone tunes in tonight for A Christmas Miracle. And to the Hallmark fans, please let me know what you think. I’d love to hear!
The Agency Singers
Tara is a woman whom I respect and adore in every aspect of her life. While she tends to play a supporting character in most of her films/shows, she always brings her “A” game to every one of her roles, no matter the size or scope. As I have watched her mature both personally and professionally, I have continued to be a vibrant part of her cheering section, and it thrills me to see how much motherhood has agreed with her. She still sings with The Agency Singers as she has time (I hope to see a concert one day!), and she consistently radiates joy and kindness wherever she goes. I am grateful for the friendship we have fostered over the years, and I tend to think her journey is going to continue to increase with even more amazing opportunities for her as the years go by.
If you are able to tune in tonight (November 14th) to the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel for the premiere of A Christmas Miracle, I really hope that you will! Moreover, if you are in Canada, I have learned that A Christmas Miracle will premiere on the W Network on November 16th! (Be sure to check local listings for times.) In addition to this, I hope that everyone visits all of Tara’s links below and considers following her where applicable. While she is not overly active on social media, you can always count on her to let her fans and followers know when something is on the horizon or coming up for her, and she regularly responds to fans as time permits. As a beloved member of the Hallmark community, Tara has only become more beautiful and engaging as she continues to discover the joys of family life and genuinely finds her place in this world of ours, and I hope that all of my readers will shower her with overwhelming love and support!
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1 Comment
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Great interview. I don’t know this actress, but I really like what she has to say, and her approach to the business and life.
