I just adore the Hallmark mysteries, and when a new series was announced last year with a male lead and many familiar faces, I was ecstatic. However, as we all know, the leading lady is just as vital to a new series such as this. When I discovered that an actress who was new to Hallmark, Sarah Lind, was brought on in this capacity, I knew she was the next person I just HAD to interview. Thankfully, she was able to make some time to do just that, and in anticipation of January 12th’s simulcast premiere (premiering across all three Hallmark stations at the same time) of Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries: A Beautiful Place to Die, it is my honor to share our recent chat with my readers today.
Sarah Lind Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Hugh Tull
RH: How/Why did you decide to pursue a career in acting? What kind of training have you had to help prepare you for this career?
I don’t really remember deciding to act. I was always dramatic and loved putting on performances and plays, and when I was about ten, my parents suggested that I audition for a local play because they thought I would enjoy it. The play was Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, and I played one of the young children (obviously!) During rehearsals, my mom acted as my chaperone, and the other actors convinced her to become a talent agent. Of course she became mine, and I eventually got more work, and have been doing it ever since.
What was your first official on-screen role and what are your memories of working on that project?
I don’t remember what my first on-screen job was, but it might have been a television movie called Lost Daughter. I played the daughter in flashbacks. One major scene involved the family racing each other on horseback through the countryside and so I had three months of horse riding lessons before then. I loved that scene, and remember getting a horse that was MUCH faster than the one I had learned on, and kind of having to adapt what I had learned in the moment. Also, I remember Richard Chamberlain singing “Killing Me Softly” all day.
I realize that I must have seen you in First Wave since I have seen every episode and my good friend Sebastian Spence starred in it. Do you have any memories of working on that show?
Edgemont
Wow! I love that coincidence. I don’t think I ever actually saw that episode. All I remember of it is that we filmed at an amusement park while it was closed and we got to walk around on the roller coaster haha. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much about a lot of the jobs I’ve done! {I remember the episode now!!}
I see that your most significant role was on the show Edgemont, a show I’m afraid I only know of but have not seen. Please tell us how you got involved in this show and what you enjoyed about being in this show and portraying your character. Why do you believe this show was such a big hit?
Edgemont
Yes, I did Edgemont for five seasons! We shot each season quite quickly, but I’m still friends with some of that cast. It can be somewhat of a mystery why some shows become popular and some don’t, but I think we all did a good job of bringing high school stories to life while both achieving an authentic feeling of that age and also of treating it with the respect that a show about adults would be. We had a lot of very talented writers and actors and directors on that show, of whom MANY have made other popular shows I’m sure you’ve seen. That was a very fun time, and I always remember working on Edgemont fondly.
You have guest-starred on various shows and been involved with a diversity of films over the years. Which ones stand out to you the most and why do those stand out?
Cold Blood
The first other project that comes to mind is a feature film I did in the spring of 2018 called Cold Blood. It was a job that felt very creatively fulfilling and satisfying and happened during a huge transition period in my life. I’d had the script for three years before we finally went to camera, which meant I had an unusual intimate familiarity with the character and the story that you don’t usually get because you don’t have that much time with it. The director, Frederic Petitjean and I worked very well together; his direction was usually one word or even just a look, and I’d know just what he meant. I’m very proud of that movie. I bought a new perfume to wear during the shooting of that, and even now when I smell it, I feel the way I did during that very magical time.
Sarah Lind, Jesse Metcalfe Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Hugh Tull
We are about to see you on Hallmark in January. First of all, with this being your first Hallmark movie, what did you know about the network before making this movie? How familiar were you with the Hallmark mysteries?
I was mostly familiar with Hallmark through what I’d heard from so many of my friends who have worked on their shows. The shows I’d seen had all been very fun and sweet and that’s the reputation it has among actors as well.
Sarah Lind, Jesse Metcalfe Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Hugh Tull
I enjoy how often I see actors from my favourite childhood shows in the mystery and other series, like Danica McKellar, Lacey Chabert, Courtney Thorne-Smith… I’d say that in my experience since I’ve been part of Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries, that Hallmark works to make it feel like you’re part of a family; they offer incredibly generous support! It’s very friendly and warm, from the network to the fans.
Please tell us what you can about your character in Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries. How does Zee fit into the story/mystery (without revealing too much)? Also, are you able to reveal whether Zee is a one-time character or recurring? Again, only answer that one if you can.
Sarah Lind, Jesse Metcalfe Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Hugh Tull
Zee is a doctor in Martha’s Vineyard, and becomes the de facto medical examiner after the first murder in many years is discovered there. Fortunately for her, and her father who is the Vineyard police chief, her old friend Jeff Jackson happens to be around. He’s a retired detective from the big city and is able to lend his very experienced hand to this case. As we solve this mystery, we also recall some of our old feelings for each other, which lends a different kind of tension to the mystery!
behind the scenes with Jesse
What was your experience like on-set working with your co-stars? Any behind-the-scenes stories?
I don’t really have any good BTS stories for you! I was focused on bringing my best performance to my first Hallmark movie, and Jesse {Metcalfe} is a very dedicated and hard-working actor, so there weren’t many pranks. We got along very well, though, and share a similar sense of humour, so we laughed a lot.
Why are Hallmark viewers going to love this new mystery series?10. Any other upcoming works you can mention?
What Hallmark viewers are going to love about MVM is that it’s a little grittier than some of the other mysteries and complex and hard to solve. It’s also the rare mystery with a male lead, so you’ll get to see a lot of Jesse, and no one can complain about that! I think people will keep coming back for the sparkling chemistry and sassy banter between our two characters.
with Nicholas Cage on The Humanity Bureau
Photo Credit: Craig Pulsifier
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
I’ve been busy with the first two MVM movies, so they’re what’s coming out next, but I’d be happy if people also checked out Cold Blood with me and Jean Reno. I believe it’s on iTunes? {I also find it on Amazon Prime.}
With January being a time of new beginnings and a traditional time to make goals, do you have any aspirations or goals for the new year?
My goals for this year are to speak up more, and to deepen my relationships with my friends. Oh, and NO PARKING TICKETS!
Sarah Lind Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Hugh Tull
I relish every time that Hallmark introduces me to a fresh talent such as Sarah’s, and I have no doubt that her zeal for and her characterization of Dr. Zee are going to massively supplement my delectation of what is bound to be an innovative Hallmark favorite. When I read about Jesse’s enthusiasm concerning her casting, I was further overwhelmed with anticipation. When a seasoned Hallmark veteran such as Jesse raves about his co-star, we viewers can be rather confident that she is about to take the Hallmark viewership by storm. Furthermore, the screenplay for this series is penned by my friend Kraig Wenman, and that further bolsters my claim that this new series is going to be an absolute phenomenon. Add to that the charm, fortitude, and giftedness of Sarah (not to mention her humility and work ethic), and I may find myself struggling to wait until the premiere tomorrow night (January 12th)!
If you are able and willing to, I invite all of my readers to make plans now to tune into the premiere of Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries: A Beautiful Place to Die on January 12th. Because of the exhilaration surrounding this new series, it will be simulcast across all Hallmark networks–Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama, and it should find its ultimate resting spot on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries for all future installments (fingers crossed this series has a VERY lengthy run!). Additionally, I invite my readers to learn more about Sarah and her illustrious career by checking out all the links below and following her via social media (I sure hope she tweets with us tomorrow night!). I cannot believe that her name has not come across my path before this new series, but I am euphoric to know that a dynamic actress such as Sarah is just as eager (if not more so) as the Hallmark fans and I for her and the talented cast and crew to be delivering such a fun new series to the network, and I look forward to following Sarah for the remainder of what I know will be an astounding career for a powerhouse artist such as she!
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