For the past few years (ever since the movie All Yours premiered on the Hallmark Channel), I have been closely watching and faithfully supporting the career of the actor, Dan Payne. If you have watched some of the top Hallmark projects over the past few years, you’ve probably seen him pop up in a few movies on both the regular Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and you may even remember him from the series, Good Witch. Of course, Descendants fans know him fondly as the Beast, and other fandoms recognize him from his varied CW appearances, Lifetime movies, and more. I am honored to bring my readers the fourth interview I’ve done with Dan in anticipation of Saturday night’s (April 25th) Matchmaker Mysteries: A Fatal Romance premiere which will be simulcast on two Hallmark Channels!
RH: During our last interview, we discussed Descendants 3, and since that time, the movie has come out. One of the notable issues surrounding this was the untimely death of Cameron Boyce, one of the film’s young stars. What are your memories of working with him, and what kind of legacy do you believe he left behind?
Descendants 3
DP: I have so many great memories of working with Cameron, but the simple truth is I am just so glad I got to meet him. Cameron was a truly genuine soul with a huge heart. And the tremendous capacity that heart had to love was shared in his philanthropy and authentic desire to better the well being of everyone and anyone around him.
Descendants family
I could go on for days about his obvious talent and boundless talents but it’s all there for the world to see in anything he did. I recall how I would often get caught up just watching him dance – the kid could really move! …and sing …and act! Cameron was a very special human being and I remember his room-filling, mood-changing, joy-inspiring smile that fit perfectly with exactly who he was and everything he stood for. Like everyone else, I miss him.
The Flash
You guest-starred on The Flash. What was that experience like for you?
Playing Shay Lamden (King Shark) was such a rush! I’ve had to good fortune to have spent time on that set with the cast and crew previously as a stunt actor on the stunt team. The production and stunt coordinator had kindly brought me on to bring the Grodd reference to “life” in stilts and a giant padded reference suit. Tom Cavanagh, a very kind and gracious man, was a big factor in it all as he liked having an actor (me) speaking Grodd’s lines live during scenes/rehearsals rather than shouted from video village (the area directors, script supervisors, etc. sit). It was entertaining to try to act and not face plant off three-foot-high stilts! It was a good gig, but nothing compared to bringing Shay to life! The story elements alone were a dream. There was a love story wanting resolution, a chance at redemption, and an apology to show remorse for his horrible ways…and the best part–to selflessly offer to lose his chance to be human again and return to King Shark form to save the city …and be “heroic!”
Good Witch
One element took a bit to get my head around. I had to jump into the ocean (during winter here in Vancouver in Stanley Park Marina) at the very cool temperature of 1 degree Celsius (33 Fahrenheit) – COLD! The stunt team and entire crew were so amazing at making sure I was safe and warm when possible. So much so that they had a hot tub on a barge near set for me to jump in after each frosty plunge. No one was more conscientious and concerned for my well being than Grant Gustin. He is a true #1 and sets an incredibly great tone for all who have the good fortune to join that set. I’m grateful to have had that wild experience and to have the newfound support from Flash fans!
I notice something called Nesting in your credits. What can you tell us about that?
Bruce Duran
Nesting is a web-based comedy skit/sketch show that some fantastic comedian friends put together (David Milchard and Christina Sicoli). They invited me to have some fun on one of their webisodes. I love getting to work with friends and be a part of the amazing community of artists we have here in Vancouver. Also, who doesn’t like to laugh!
You’re also in Gabby Duran & the Unsittables. Please tell us a little about that show and your work with it.
Bruce Duran
I get to play Gabby Duran’s estranged but loving Dad on this funny (and progressive) show. Gabby has to deal with keeping “shape-shifting” aliens a secret from her mom, sister, and the rest of the world. I first appear in their Christmas episode. Gabby finds out I (her father) can’t make it to Christmas dinner because of a snowstorm and employs one of the shape-shifting aliens, Principal Swift (Nathan Lovejoy), to morph into the shape of her Dad (me) so her sister and Mom (Dina Duran (Valery Ortiz) won’t miss out on family holiday time. Chaos ensues as the alien struggles to hold shape! I loved this gig because I got to play the dad as myself, the alien as me and me as the alien in my form…did you follow that? It was an exciting challenge to try to do justice to Nathan’s physicality (and accent) of Principal Swift. Nathan was very generous and helpful whenever I asked to run lines to help with his movements and accent. I truly hope to show up in the series again!
Very soon, we will see you in a new Hallmark mystery. Please tell us a little about your character without spoiling anything. What was it like behind-the-scenes?
With Danica
I am beyond happy to return to the Hallmark world on Matchmaker Mysteries: A Fatal Romance with Danica McKellar and Victor Webster (directed by Terry Ingram). I play Ethan who is Angie Dove’s (Danica McKellar) ex-boyfriend. I don’t want to spoil anything, but Ethan’s arrival does cause a stir!
One of the highlights, by far, was getting to spend time with and get to know Danica. I truly appreciated her almost unparalleled level of professionalism. Danica reached out to me prior to shooting to see if we could chat about the show. We talked before and during shooting about so many unscripted aspects of character, relationship and story to make sure we were on the same page. We also shared a bunch of laughs especially when Victor, Danica and I all got to hang out on set together. I have always had a spectacular time on every Hallmark set I’ve been honored to be part of. Hallmark tells stories the world can enjoy and this Matchmaker series is another magnificent success. I’m grateful to be part of it and hope the fans enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed filming it!
behind-the-scenes Matchmaker Mysteries
Anything else upcoming you can mention?
I was in the midst of filming a guest star on the premiere episode of the new series Family Law when the pandemic took over and shut down all productions. The show follows Abigail Bianchi (Jewel Staite), a lawyer who has fallen from grace, as she tries to piece her life back together. It may not sound like it from my description, but it is a very funny and heartwarming show with lots of very witty banter and moving moments. I know it’s an uneasy time for all, and I hope we all get to return to work and the things we love to do as soon as it’s safe. I look forward to the day I can return to this set and wrap up this character.
We know that you love being a part of the Hallmark family. What is the draw for this network? What do you appreciate about this network?
with Danica
The Hallmark network and shows always convey virtues like love, hope, kindness, forgiveness and so many more. They know their audience and always deliver shows that respect their viewers while delivering a product they can enjoy over and over. The concepts and topics are universal and appealing. They allow viewers to, at times, think about and deal with things or simply escape and indulge. I don’t know what else to say! I do love that my Mom can proudly watch these movies with her friends. Who wouldn’t want to be part of a network that makes people feel good!
During this period of “quarantine,” what have you been doing to keep yourself busy?
I have to start by saying homeschooling is not easy!!! Kudos to all those who do it by choice! We will get there…eventually!
I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family–board games, backyard fun, workouts and hikes with the dog-type thing. I’ve even started to “not suck at Fortnite” (as my kids put it!)
Personally, I have been finishing a script I started a while back. My friend Carey Dickson (who wrote “Devil in the Dark” that I starred in) and I are collaborating on a few scripts we want to have ready to shoot when the industry kicks back in. I’m trying to fill the free time I can find with creative outlets like writing as well as offering free audition class/coaching via Zoom.
I was in talks with a company, Blink, regarding starting a podcast through their studio. Now that the pandemic has us isolated, we are working on a way to do it remotely. I have some fantastic guests who have agreed to come and chat. Many are from the Descendants cast as well as Supernatural and Riverdale. I would love to chat with Danica and other Hallmark stars so the world could meet the brilliant human behind the talented actor! We will see how it plays out!
with his family
What are the top movies/shows you are watching in your household?
The whole family just laughed and cried through Onward a few nights ago. It was amazing! My wife and I had a Shia Lebeouf night and absolutely loved Peanut Butter Falcon and Honey Boy. We also enjoyed The Gentleman. We have binge-watched Ozark and Atypical and are always open to suggestions!
What do you believe are the positives that are emerging from this crisis?
I think that a great deal of the entertainment industry and the community are relishing in using this time to be creative. I think it’s very likely some extremely imaginative and innovative works will emerge from this time. I’m excited to see and hopefully be a part of some of them!
I also think on a personal level, at least for me, it’s helping me step back a bit and recognize the little things, strengthen connections and recognize some I may have been neglecting, better recognition of the elderly, enhanced awareness of community (I love the banging of pots at 7 PM to support all the health care heroes!)–to mention a few. I think even pollution is down! It’s definitely not easy and there are many challenges that vary from person to person but we are all in this together and I prefer to remain optimistic. I hope everyone stays as safe and healthy as possible.
behind-the-scenes Matchmaker Mysteries
Speaking quite candidly, to know Dan is to love him. I have spoken with a multitude of industry professionals who have worked extensively and even momentarily with Dan, and it would appear that everyone adores working with him and is always impressed by his exceptional gifts. Unfortunately, we haven’t witnessed his prowess on Hallmark as much as we might like, but I am hopeful that this most recent Hallmark character will propel him into the limelight as well as the consciousnesses of countless cast directors, production teams, and, of course, Hallmark fans. He is consistently fan-friendly whenever he posts on social media, and every time I reach out to him, invariably, I hear back from this kind individual with such warmth, authenticity, and generosity. Due to the extraordinary diversity of the roles in which he has been cast over the years, I can readily declare that his versatility is essentially unparalleled within the industry, and no matter the production nor the scope of his role, he unremittingly brings his “A-Game.” Notwithstanding, his devotion to his family and his genuine likability demonstrate his characteristic humility and his distinctive eagerness to keep the many facets of his life in perspective.
It is my sincerest desire that everyone tunes into Matchmaker Mysteries: A Fatal Romance this Saturday, April 25th, which will be broadcast simultaneously on the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. My Canadian friends will have to wait until a premiere date is set for that country. Additionally, if you would be so kind, please visit Dan’s links below and consider following him where applicable (Note: He is also a member of the Hallmark Facebook Group, so consider joining and saying “hi” to him!) I am forever grateful to Hallmark for introducing me to the wonder that is Dan Payne, and I hope and pray that his talents will be utilized by a wide variety of networks in the future, including Hallmark, because I believe he is one of the truly exemplary, underrated artists of the twenty-first century!
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