I am ecstatic when Hallmark introduces me to actors out there to whom I may not have paid attention previously, and tonight’s premiere of A Cheerful Christmas has done exactly that. Erica Deutschman is someone I have noticed just this year, but I was unaware of her illustrious career and her undeniable talents. Thankfully, Hallmark elected to feature her in her first leading role with the network, and recently, she agreed to have a brief question/answer exchange with me. In anticipation of the premiere tonight (December 15th) on the Hallmark Channel, it is my distinct honor and privilege to present that interview today to all my readers.
Erica Deutschman Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
RH: Why/how did you decide to pursue a career as an actress? What kind of training have you had to help you in your career?
Tianna Nori, Erica Deutschman Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
ED: Being an actress was a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I have memories as a kid, watching movies with my family, before I ever did any kind of acting, and saying “that’s what I want to do!” Also, maybe it runs in the family. My grandma was an actress and we would dress up and do these little plays that we would make everyone watch. And then of course, once I got a taste for it, I knew I could never stop!
I also owe a lot to the arts camp I went to when I was a kid because I often did the film or the acting programs which allowed me to nourish my creative spirit and acquire my taste for the spotlight. I also did ballet for many years. I started really young and danced up until I was eighteen. I performed in the Nutcracker for eight years when I was growing up which made me very comfortable in front of an audience. I’ve trained in improv and studied different acting techniques over the years as well, because I find it really useful to try all sorts of things so you can really figure out what the best approach is for you. Also, improv is just so fun!
What was your first on-screen professional role and what are your memories of working on that?
Tianna Nori, Erica Deutschman Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
My first big gig on-screen was a show called Blue Mountain State. It was one of the few American shows that shot in the city I grew up in, Montreal. I think I was eighteen years old and I had just gotten into the actor’s union for doing some promotional video for those movie theatre seats that move and so that was a really exciting summer! I had never been on a real set before and I had absolutely no idea what to expect, but I tried to play it off all cool, like I knew exactly what I was doing… not sure if they bought it or not! But everyone was really nice and the episode turned out to be really funny and it’s still something people recognize me for so many years later. So, yeah, it was a great experience.
I believe American Gothic and Shadowhunters are two of your well-known series you’ve been a part of. What was your experience like on those series? Any special memories you’d like to share?
Fun fact! Chad and I appeared in Shadowhunters together before we did A Cheerful Christmas.
I’m very fortunate, in that, I always seem to luck out with the people I get to meet and the productions I get to work on. When you guest star on any show, that’s exactly what you are; you’re a guest visiting someone else’s work family and you just hope that they’ll welcome you in! I can say that in both cases, I received a very warm welcome and had an absolute blast playing both of those characters. Particularly Shadowhunters because I love playing evil characters. Maybe it’s because I don’t get to be evil in my everyday life… that and I’m not actually a vampire!
I came in about halfway through the first season of American Gothic and you could already feel that that show was going to be a big deal. The actors I got to work with were absolutely incredible. I also have this clear memory of the amazing sets they had built for the show. The whole mansion was laid out on this soundstage, it was really spectacular to get to see that amazing work. (I don’t know if you can tell from my obsession with set building and houses, but I am a huge HGTV fan girl!)
A scene with on-screen mom Deana Carter from A Very Country Wedding
I believe the first time I saw you was in A Very Country Wedding. Please remind us of your role in that film and what your experience with that movie was like?
What a fun movie! My role in A Very Country Wedding was Sammy, Deana Carter’s daughter. My part in the movie was to be her sounding board while she attempted to navigate matters of the heart with her ex-husband, who happens to be my dad (in the movie!)
It’s interesting when you have to play someone’s daughter or relative because most of the time, you’ve really only just met each other that day and then all of a sudden you now have to pretend you’ve known each other your whole lives! With Deana though, it felt very natural because she is such a warm person and I think that translates on screen. We were very comfortable together.
Jennifer Vallance, Erica Deutschman Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
You will be seen in your first Hallmark movie soon. What did you know about Hallmark before making this movie? What was your first Hallmark on-set experience like?
Good question! My awareness of Hallmark before shooting our movie was that they are THE Christmas movie destination. They are at the top of their game in that respect. So it is such an honor to have a part in their Countdown To Christmas this year. It’s also really cool that they have established this reputation for everything feel-good, and I think it’s wonderful that they are able to reach so many people with such a positive voice. I think that’s really special.
One of my favourite behind the scenes shots from A Cheerful Christmas!
I was thrilled to be a part of all that. We shot in February in Ottawa, Canada so my first memory on set was that it was really, really cold! But it looks very authentically Christmas-y because there was a ton of snow and we took full advantage of our surroundings, which, despite the cold, were quite beautiful. Day one, we got to do some skating! Needless to say, all those first-day jitters kind of drift away when you’re really just focusing on not falling down and trying to keep warm. Then, of course, you get lost in the fun of it all and I think you can really feel that in the scene. It’s a memory I will continue to cherish with all my heart.
Please tell us a little about your character in A Cheerful Christmas and how she fits into the overall story. Any special behind-the-scenes moments you’d like to share?
Erica Deutschman, Tianna Nori Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
I play Lauren Dale. She is a Christmas coach, which definitely isn’t a thing in real life, but I think it should be! She basically eats, breathes and sleeps Christmas and so she’s made a career out of spreading holiday cheer! I had an absolute blast playing Lauren because she is so full of life and I feel like playing such a positive person all day long translates into real-life somehow. I did a lot of smiling, laughing and loving life!
Tianna Nori, Erica Deutschman Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
So anyway, Lauren gets hired to coach the Andersons for Christmas. The Andersons just happen to be royalty, so it’s a pretty big deal. She meets their son James, who isn’t having all this Christmas cheer because he’s wrapped up with all his work. But Lauren finds a way to soften him up and brings back his Christmas spirit! I also forgot to mention that James is super cute, so sparks may or not fly between the two of them (this is where if you could see me, I would totally be winking!)
I understand you have an Ion Christmas coming up. Please tell us about this movie, your character, and what it was like working with the cast and crew.
A little behind-the-scenes stuff on A Christmas Crush
Yes! Thank you for asking. I’m so excited about this one! It’s called A Christmas Crush and I got to work alongside the most talented, hilarious, lovely, and hardworking cast of people: Cindy Sampson, Jordan Dunn, and Chris Violette.
Shenanigans from A Christmas Crush
In short, Cindy’s character, Addie, makes a wish for Christmas that her neighbour will fall in love with her… Then the wrong neighbour falls in love with her. I play her best friend and coworker, Drea, who helps her break the spell so that we can make things right! It’s such a charming script. And so funny. There’s a scene where Chris has to sing this super silly, romantic Christmas song and I’m pretty sure they had to cut around me because every take, I would break; I could NOT keep a straight face. I can’t wait to see it – that’s on Ion, December 22nd, if I am not mistaken.
Chad Connell, Erica Deutschman Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
I have a few things in the works that I probably can’t talk about just yet, but what I can say is that I hope to be able to share many cheerful Christmases with Hallmark for years to come!
How will you be spending the holidays this year?
My holidays this year will be spent with my friends and family back home in Montreal. I’m getting all warm and fuzzy thinking about it already!
Erica Deutschman Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Production Group
No matter what is going on in this world that is often plagued by overwhelming negativity and strife, Hallmark is consistently the place where I have the opportunity to connect with the best people on the planet and watch movies and shows that are uplifting and entertaining. I agree with Erica regarding her opinion of Hallmark Christmas movies, and I can hardly wait to see her in what I am hoping is the first in a string of hits for the network and for her. I appreciate the fact that Erica is effervescent, benevolent, and talented, and I definitely know I will be tuning in to this movie as well as the rest of the holiday movies Hallmark will be presenting in the 2019 season.
Please consider tuning into the Hallmark Channel tonight (December 15th) for the premiere of A Cheerful Christmas. My Canadian friends can see this movie on the W Network on December 21st. In addition to this, I encourage all of my readers to visit Erica’s links below and contemplate following her on Instagram. As one of the only “royal” movies this year (I think this may be the only new Christmas royal movie in Hallmark’s line-up this season), A Cheerful Christmas is bound to be a treat for everyone, young and old. I know that loyal Hallmark viewers will be tuning in and supporting this new face on Hallmark, and I can only hope that Erica will grace our screens for many, many years to come!
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