A couple of years ago, as a result of Hallmark’s original film, Magical Christmas Ornaments, I connected with a fantastic screenwriter. I discovered that I had been enjoying her films for a few years on the Hallmark network, and she agreed to a quick interview. Since that time, I have been following the journey of Rickie Castaneda, and this Christmas she and her enchanting writing partner, Megan Hocking, are back in full force with four Christmas movies across various networks as well as some exciting stuff coming up in the near and distant future! In anticipation of all these incredible movies headed to our television screens, it was a genuine treat to speak with both of them recently. 

Megan and Rickie at Hallmark TCA’s

RH: It is so nice to chat with you again, Rickie! It’s been a while.

RC: So nice to chat with you, too, Ruth. It’s been great to watch your blog grow in the way it has in the Hallmark community. I have my co-writer here with me as well, Megan Hocking.

MH: Hi, so nice to be here! Thanks for having me.

Nice to meet you, Megan. 

It’s been wonderful to read about all your travels. And the next time you’re in LA, we’d love to meet you in person, if you have time.

Oh, that would be great, Rickie! Here’s hoping I’ll make it down there again sooner rather than later. So, I’ve been noticing that your past movies have been making the rounds on the Hallmark network. 

That’s great! My parents’ favorite is Naughty Or Nice. They always tell me when it’s on.

Tyler Hynes, Kellie Pickler Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Oh, yeah, I think that one has even popped up on Hallmark Movies Now, which is so cool. Now, your newest Hallmark movie just premiered this past weekend, The Mistletoe Secret. 

Oh, yeah, that was amazing. And you know, we went to the TCA’s this year, and they had Santa there in July, which was just great. And we realized this is the tenth anniversary of Countdown to Christmas, and I’ve been doing this for nine years with Hallmark! So nine out of the ten.

Wow, that is amazing! And last year, you didn’t have any new Christmas movies that premiered. 

Yeah, that’s right. We were actually working on The Mistletoe Secret. In fact, we got pulled onto that film because it wasn’t working out with the original writer, and that happens sometimes.

Oh, I have heard the stories about those kinds of things happening. Most of us have no idea what goes on behind-the-scenes. In fact, I’ve been told that sometimes the script can pass through so many different hands before it makes it to our screens because of all the changes that have to be made along the way.

Tyler Hynes Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

You know, if you read The Mistletoe Secret book, it is absolutely nothing like the movie. The book would be considered off-brand as far as Hallmark is concerned.

MH: To be honest, I struggled to believe that this was even a Christmas book. 

So, in other words, if someone decides to read the book after they watch the movie, they may want to do so with caution. 

Yes, as a matter of fact, when we were brought on to write this movie, we were told that yes, we should read the book so we were familiar with it, but we didn’t really have to go by the book. But I literally threw the book across the room I was so upset with certain parts of it. {laughs}

That reminds me of a similar situation I heard from Dylan Neal and his movie Truly, Madly, Sweetly. Again, it was based on a steamy romance, and he cautioned Hallmark viewers about reading the book as well. He really wasn’t sure Hallmark would go for it, but because the story itself was so much like a Hallmark movie and a lot of changes were made, it turned out really well. 

Christopher Russell, Tyler Hynes Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

We actually created an entirely new character in this movie. Sterling Masters is not even in the book. We created his character for this movie. And because of the addition of this character, this movie is kind of a buddy comedy between him and Tyler Hynes‘ character. Christopher Russell plays Sterling. They’re best friends. Sterling is basically the Hallmark version of Anthony Bourdain. He’s a travel guy with a show and a blog that all together make up his travel empire. But the secret is that he doesn’t write any of that. His best friend, Alex, is a writer, and he writes all the blogs, the website, and the books. Sterling is the face of the brand, and Alex is his ghostwriter. When he is assigned to do the holiday town that they spotlight every year at Christmas, it is Alex who goes and he is behind-the-scenes. But everyone loves Sterling ’cause he’s the face. Trouble happens when Sterling decides to show up in this town. They have to keep the secret together and act like they don’t know each other.

Tyler Hynes Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

Oh, yeah, I remember the clip they showed in the preview special. It was a scene between Kellie Pickler and Tyler Hynes. She is reading something he has written, but he has to act like he didn’t write it. In context, now that I’ve seen the movie, that’s a hilarious scene!

Oh, yeah, that is a great scene!

And what struck me was that Tyler was so quiet. We’re used to seeing him as a rather boisterous character. So it was fun to see Tyler in a very different kind of role.

Oh, yes, the whole time she doesn’t know he’s a writer, and so she’ll gush about the writing and how amazing Sterling is, and he has to sit there and accept the compliment, but he can’t tell her. He has a strict NDA that people in the writing business understand. He can’t reveal himself because that’s the secret. But he’s flattered that she really likes his writing since most people really like the TV show.

Tyler Hynes, Kellie Pickler Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

I was so glad that they brought Kellie back to the network. I know sometimes the fans are divided about how they feel about her, and those who don’t like her tend to be very vocal, but it seems like that has died down some this year, which is good. All her co-stars have raved about her, and it’s great to see that she jumped into acting though that wasn’t her initial pursuit. I’m glad she is continuing to learn the craft of acting. She’s really doing a great job, in my opinion.

We got a chance to meet her at the TCA’s. So here’s what happened. We were introduced to Tyler, but Kellie had already left. With this event, we were shuttled over to this residence for the party. So when we got back to the hotel, I said, “You know, Whitney Houston died here.” {laughs} So Megan and I decided to go have a drink in her memory.

So we went into a bar, and it was like the whole party had shifted to the bar. As I was looking around, I tell you, Ruth, it was like a Who’s Who of Hallmark. I mean, people’s minds would have been blown! We had the cast of When Calls the Heart over in one section, Chesapeake Shores in another section, the Christmas movies over there…it felt like the Hallmark prom! We got our drink, which by the way cost thirty-three dollars, but drinking to Whitney’s memory was worth that!

Tyler Hynes, Kellie Pickler, Patrick Duffy Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ryan Plummer

As we’re sitting there with our drinks, who steps behind us but Kellie Pickler. I looked her way and wasn’t sure if it was her. She kind of saw me looking, and finally I said, “I’m sorry, you’re Kellie Pickler, right?” So Megan and I introduced ourselves, and she was really sweet. We talked to her for a few minutes. And you know what she talked most about? How nice Patrick Duffy is! She just loved working with Patrick Duffy, and she went on about how sweet he is. They had just started filming, and her and Tyler had just flown down from Vancouver for the TCA’s. They were going right back the next day to continue shooting. I guess all her scenes so far had been with Patrick Duffy, and she was just gushing about him. I believed her; I wish Patrick Duffy had been there.

I’ve heard other people talk about how wonderful Patrick Duffy is and how great he is to work with. And I always figure if Hallmark is bringing people back and putting them in more projects, it must mean they’re good people and they fit well with the brand. I know there are lots of reasons why people don’t come back to Hallmark, and sometimes we may never know why they don’t.

Oh, yeah, it’s not for everybody, that’s for sure. They shoot these things literally in twelve to fifteen days. You have to learn and remember a ton of dialogue. It really can be equated to soap opera acting. They have to shoot so much in one day. It’s not for everyone. Some films for other studios will shoot maybe a page a day, and they consider that a lot. In Hallmark land, they’re shooting like ten pages a day.

Kellie Pickler, Tyler Hynes Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Luba Popovic

And I know that’s even less than what soap operas shoot. I’ve talked to many actors who have done soap operas. Well, I know Tyler was so excited about this movie, and I think the response was pretty good from the fans. He gave away four autographed shirts that he wore in the movie. We’ve had quite a partnership going on since he came to the Hallmark world. 

That’s so cool that he did that, Ruth. I will say that we really like this movie a lot. We had a lot of fun with it. It’s kind of a little out-of-the-box to the traditional Hallmark Christmas movie. I mean, not all that much. It’s still got the heart and all that. But I think the ability to have a secret where the audience is in on it, but the characters aren’t makes it really fun. You keep wondering, “How is she gonna find out?” And “How are these guys gonna keep it from her?”

I think that’s great, Rickie. I know I have friends who used to ask why Hallmark wasn’t doing the fake boyfriend angle in their Christmas movies like they used to. Those were really popular for a while, and then they went away. And now they’re coming back. While this is not quite the same thing, it’s similar. 

The Magical Christmas Shoes

Now, we actually have four movies this Christmas airing across various networks. The Mistletoe Secret was the one that led it off. Then on November 22nd on Lifetime, we have a movie called The Magical Christmas Shoes. I can’t promise you this will be quite as good as The Mistletoe Secret, but…

That’s all right. Who’s in this one?

The Magical Christmas Shoes

It stars Damon Runyon, from One Starry Christmas; he’s the male lead. And Erin Karpluk is his co-star.

Well, it’s a Lifetime Christmas movie, and you never know. I’m certainly willing to give it a try. 

Then we have one coming called The Christmas Chalet, which will be on UP network. That one stars Erica Durance and Robin Dunne.

Oh, I like Robin Dunne! 

The Christmas Chalet

He actually directed Magical Christmas Shoes. The Christmas Chalet will premiere on December 1st for UP network. I saw a rough cut of that movie, and I think it plays really well. It’s a really cute family movie.

The Christmas Chalet

Then on December 13th, on Lifetime, we have a movie called Christmas Stars. We recently saw the rough cut of that one. It stars J.T. Hodges, who was in Finding Christmas,  and he’s also a country singer. And Erica Durant is in this one as well. This one turned out really cute. I think everyone’s really going to enjoy this one. They have an original song in that one that’s kind of cute. J.T. Hodges really puts his own spin on it. If you haven’t heard him sing, he’s really talented. I’m looking forward to that one premiering.

Christmas Stars

I honestly didn’t realize how many movies you had coming out.

We’ve been busy. So that year that we were off, we were actually busy working. Now, we’re also very excited because we’re doing a movie with Hallmark called Romance In the Stars. I think they were talking about a possible July 4th air date, and it takes place in Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.

Oh, my goodness, that is awesome! 

It’s gonna be fun!

Yes, we get to go to Space Camp. Actually, we got to visit it, and that is where they’re gonna shoot it. And we are able to really incorporate all the things at Space Camp into this movie. Of course, we still keep the Hallmark romance, but we’re really going to be utilizing the activities and the scenery. There’s so much. It’s beautiful down there! It’s just amazing, and you feel so proud. You see the Apollo 11 capsules. We’re incorporating all of this into a story. It’s exciting. We’ll be focusing on our moon missions. And you know the space program is set to go back to the moon. And also Mars. So that’s going to be a backdrop for us. We are really excited about that.

Now, this is your first non-Christmas movie with Hallmark, right?

Megan and Rickie at Space Camp

Well, yes and no. It felt like it all came in at once. We’re also doing another movie called Love On the Links, and it should be either spring or summer. It’s a rom-com that takes place in the golf world. We don’t know when it’s gonna start shooting, but it’s about a female pro golfer who has to train a non-golfer to learn how to play golf. And they’re gonna play in a pro game together. And of course, they fall in love along the way. It has a lot of good comedy in it, and it was a fun one to write. Anyone who has played golf before can understand the struggle. And even those who haven’t played probably can understand too.

For me, this one was pretty special because I have a lot of background in golf. My first internship in this business was at the Golf Channel. I played golf in high school, and my brother ran a golf course. My dad is also a big golfer. They were all excited about getting a movie with golf in it. Hallmark doesn’t do a lot of movies with sports themes, so we are really excited about this one. We kind of got to do something a little different. Then we’re also going to be doing another movie for Hallmark called Winter On the Winery. The backdrop is set at a winery that specializes in iced wine.

Okay, so you guys don’t do anything for a year, and then you come back and make movie after movie after movie! This is just so amazing! I couldn’t be more thrilled for you both! 

And that’s not all. While I can’t say anything at this point, there might even be more excitement down the road. We’re in the running for another super exciting opportunity with Hallmark as well. So fingers crossed!

My goodness! Rickie and Megan, how cool is all this for you?! I kept wondering over the past year what you were up to because every time I got to your Twitter page, you were tweeting about football. 

{laughs} Yeah, that’s right!

It really seems like things are taking off for you two! I’m thrilled!

So are we! I really hope that everyone tunes in for all the movies.

Well, you know I will be. I’ll let you know what I think. I loved The Mistletoe Secret, and I’ll be tuning in for your other ones as well.

Thank you, Ruth, for all your support. It means so much!

And it was nice to meet you too, Megan.

Same here, thanks for having us, Ruth.

Rickie and Megan at Hallmark TCA’s

Now, first of all, don’t be too worried that Megan didn’t do much speaking. She was right there laughing along with us at all the humorous moments that were brought up throughout the interview and sometimes practically finishing Rickie’s sentences at other times. In so many ways, Rickie is kind of the spokesperson for this amazingly skilled writing pair, but there is no doubt that these two are partners as well as best friends. They share in everything connected with this profession, and they always have each other’s backs, no matter the situation. When they are invited to a function or even to visit a set, Rickie is always careful to make sure that they are invited as a team and not separately. They are the ideal representation of what the Hallmark network expresses so expertly in their movies: the two best friends who are practically inseparable and invariably have each others’ best interests at heart. In fact, I think that Hallmark could readily use them as the basis for two characters in a whole host of their movies. I mean, maybe Rickie and Megan could even create characters based on their persona and friendship and place them in a Hallmark movie or series sometime in the near future. I know I would certainly be supportive of such an undertaking because after all, these two are talented, hard-working, and decidedly pragmatic. They feel infinitely blessed to be able to pursue their passions while working for Hallmark and other studios who have employed them, and there is no doubt in my mind that these first nine years with Countdown To Christmas are just the beginning. I foresee countless more decades in the future as their careers as screenwriters continue to blossom!

If you have not had the opportunity to watch The Mistletoe Secret, please consult your local TV guide for the next time it is showing. Also, check out all the delightful premieres coming up for their movies this holiday season!

The Mistletoe Secret: Hallmark Channel next showing November 17th

The Magical Christmas Shoes: premieres on Lifetime November 22nd, Super Channel Heart & Home November 30th

The Christmas Chalet: premieres on both UP and Super Channel Heart & Home December 1st

Christmas Stars: premieres on Lifetime December 13th

While you’re checking out all of their movies this season, be sure to follow both Rickie and Megan on social media and check out all their links below. While there are numerous successful screenwriter partners out there in the film and TV world today, I truly don’t think you will find a more industrious, fun-loving pair than this duo, and I am eternally grateful to Hallmark for connecting me with two dazzling, gifted, enthusiastic women such as Rickie and Megan!

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