Last year, I noticed an actor on the Hallmark network who was actually featured in two Christmas movies last year, Christmas For the Books and Christmas At Grand Valley. This caused me to do some research and come to the realization that Chad Connell had been a part of the Hallmark network for quite some time. I reached out for an interview Christmas of 2018, but due to our very busy schedules, we only had time to work out an official interview recently. In anticipation of Chad’s first leading role with Hallmark in the movie A Cheerful Christmas, it is my honor to share our recent online chat!
Photo Credit: Lane Dorsey
RH: Why did you decide to become an actor? What was your training/preparation for this profession?
Photo Credit: Lane Dorsey
CC: I was involved in community theatre as a kid and into my teen years and made the transition into film and television roles when I was about fourteen or so. I took a few years away from anything professional after high school and went to Theatre School in Toronto, prior to starting my acting career in my early twenties.
What was your first professional role in the business, and what are your memories of it?
I remember booking a TV movie starring Ryder Strong- this was in the 90s, and that was a really big deal! My first day on set I walked into what I thought was the most amazing trailer and had to take a seat and basically pinch myself. Looking back, it wasn’t much better than a broom closet, but I was thoroughly impressed.
Murdoch Mysteries
It looks like you’ve been in a few episodes of Murdoch Mysteries, playing a couple of different roles. What did you appreciate being a part of that show?
It has a very welcoming cast. A show like that cycles through a lot of actors from episode to episode, hence me having played two different characters over the seasons. You always do your best work as a guest star when you feel like it’s your show for the time you’re there. I remember everyone being so cooperative and supportive.
I believe your first Hallmark movies was Star-Spangled Banners or Banner 4th July. (I’ve seen this one.) What had been your exposure to the Hallmark network before that? What was this first shoot with them like?
I’m struggling to remember my first Hallmark role without pulling up my IMDb – but I do think there was one before Star-Spangled Banners. {Yes, Chad is correct! Taking A Chance On Love was actually his first.} I had a really great time working with Brooke White and the rest of the cast and just recently got to work with the director Don McBrearty on Double Holiday.
You had a bit of a character arc in Good Witch. Please remind us of your character. What is most memorable about being a part of that show?
Good Witch
My character seemed like the perfect guy for Sarah Power’s character, until it turned out he was annoying and wouldn’t shut up — always fun to play qualities you can identify with! Haha!
Sarah is an old friend from school, so it was extra fun to get to annoy her.
You were also a part of Shadowhunters, which has quite a fan following. What did you enjoy most about being a part of that show?
Sci-fi, as a genre, is such a treat to get to work on. It is amazing to get to watch the effects come to life and see the vision ultimately realized. Plus, I enjoy getting to play the “bad guy” from time to time.
Chad Connell, Erica Deutschman Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
Hallmark fans will be seeing you in two movies for the network this year—Double Holiday and A Cheerful Christmas. Please share any special behind-the-scenes moments you would like to share from either film.
A Cheerful Christmas shot in my home town, and the Director of Photography was the best man at my brother’s wedding – so was one of the most fun Hallmark shoots to-date. Erica Deutschman has become a good friend, and it would have been difficult getting through shooting in the arctic temperatures without her making me laugh my butt off in between takes.
Chad Connell, Erica Deutschman Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
We definitely looked out for each other. Right before we were about to do a really emotional scene and the director called “action,” and Erica is wearing a beautiful dress which makes her look stunning, I noticed that she was completely covered in some sort of soot or dust from leaning against a wall. It was all over her face, and she looked like a chimney sweep. Somehow nobody else noticed. But I have an amazing photo of it on my phone. We had to get the make-up department over to clean her up, but I picture how funny it would be if no one had noticed and they had to use that shot — to be fair she can even make “chimney-sweep” look good.
Good Sam
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
I currently star in the Netflix Original film Good Sam with Tiya Sircar. It’s a feel-good mystery, that follows Tiya’s character as she tries to uncover the identity of a good Samaritan in New York. It is based on the novel by the same name by Date Meserve. We are all really proud of it.
Do you have any goals/aspirations you would like to share for the upcoming 2020 year?
I love to be busy work-wise – but it would be great to work close to home. I moved to my new place in Manhattan back in 2018, but it’s taken a while for it to feel like home. Now that it does, I’d love to be able to spend a little more time there. I would love to explore some work in New York theatre in the next year or so and would love the challenge.
Chad Connell Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
There is no doubt that Hallmark always picks the most dashing leading men for their projects, and Chad is certainly no exception to that rule. However, in true Hallmark fashion, I think we all can agree that Chad is an exceptional actor with a kind heart and a charming demeanor. This makes him the perfect choice for a new leading man on the network, and I’m so grateful to Hallmark for featuring Chad this holiday season. Oh, and it would appear he has a roguish sense of humor too, so let’s add that to the overall ideal Hallmark leading man persona! I enjoyed him last year and throughout his time with Hallmark and beyond, and I am certainly anticipating tonight’s premiere as well.
Therefore, I hope that all of my readers will consider turning on the Hallmark Channel this evening (December 15th) for the premiere of A Cheerful Christmas (premiering in Canada on the W Network December 21st). And then don’t forget to tune in next weekend (December 21st) to see him in Double Holiday on the Hallmark Channel as well. In addition to these films, I hope that everyone visits all of Chad’s links below and considers following him where applicable. It would appear that Chad is on the cusp of becoming the next heartthrob on the stage and screen, and I know that all of us want to do what we can to encourage him in his numerous endeavors. I appreciate the fact that he was so willing to make this interview happen before tonight’s premiere, and as far as I’m concerned, those are the kinds of artists I am here to wholeheartedly support, and I invite my readers to do the same!
FOLLOW CHAD
Chad Connell Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
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