Earlier this year, a new network show caught my attention, and my mom and I started watching it together. I was surprised that my mom enjoyed Manifest since it was part sci-fi, part fantasy, part government conspiracy, but I believe the smart acting/casting and clever story captured her attention just like it did mine. Although the character of Karen Stone was not a large role (I mean, she died during the pilot episode of the show), I was intrigued with Geraldine Leer and the way her character brought this element of faith to a network that didn’t always deal with such issues. I was grateful that flashbacks kept her character present in the show…but imagine my surprise when she showed up on my favorite channel this summer (Hallmark) in a new Christmas movie, Christmas Camp! We both had such busy schedules that it is only recently that we found the time to do a quick interview, and I’m grateful it’s in time for her new Lifetime Christmas movie (Christmas Love Letter) which premieres tonight (December 21st)!
RH: How/Why did you decide to pursue a career in film/TV?
GL: I’m not sure that I ever decided to do it, actually. I just kept getting acting jobs while I was studying Spanish and Business in college, because I didn’t think I could make a living as an actor. But pretty soon I was moving to New York City and haven’t looked back. I’m determined to speak Spanish in a film or TV show, though, so I can finally say that I used my major.
Monsters
What was your first professional credit in film/TV? What are your memories of that job?
Wow. My first TV show was an episode of a sci-fi show called MONSTERS. I turned into a werewolf and killed Richard Belzer (Law & Order: SVU). I loved the werewolf special effects. It’s the only time I’ve gotten to have yellow eyes and fangs. A MANIFEST fan recently tweeted pictures of all the Stone family actresses playing werewolves in past projects. I guess it’s a thing.
Although I am unfamiliar with the movie, Mystic Pizza is listed as one of your notable works. What made this role and movie such a significant and special project for you?
Well, it was a female buddy film shot in 1987, and was a huge sleeper hit. I think you’d like it, Ruth! I’m proud to have been part of such an iconic film. I lost my boyfriend to Julia Roberts in a really fun scene. She had already made a few movies but wasn’t famous yet. I really enjoyed working with her, and I’ve remained a big fan of hers – both her work and the way she appears to navigate life. I think she’s great.
MANIFEST, season one finale
My first exposure to you was the show Manifest that premiered last year. What did you appreciate about this show and specifically your character? What was your experience like on set with this show?
My “kids” Josh Dallas and Melissa Roxburgh are great people, as are the other actors, writers, and producers. Their energy and the writers’ wonderful scripts made it very easy to step in and “mother” the Stone family. I found it very hard to be a mom who loses two children (when their plane seemingly disappears).
MANIFEST
I’m not sure yet how I die (MANIFEST is full of flashbacks, so we could still find out), but I certainly die of a broken heart, right? And I enjoy representing Faith in a mystery that explores Faith vs. Science. Who’s really out there directing the show? What is our purpose here on earth?
This summer, Hallmark fans saw you in Christmas Camp. What did you enjoy about making this movie?
Christmas Camp
What an honor to play a Military Mom. I heard from Hallmark fans who are REALLY dealing with not having their service son or daughter home for Christmas, and I was happy that the movie touched them.
What did you know about the Hallmark Network before making this movie?
Christmas Camp
I grew up watching HALLMARK HALL OF FAME movies on TV before there was a Hallmark Channel. I’m tickled by the uniform response, “I LOVE Hallmark Christmas Movies!” when I mention that I was in one. I’m all for family-friendly programming, and the Hallmark Network is serving up a wonderful tonic in these troubled times. We can’t have enough happy endings, can we?
with Ashley Newbrough
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
Lifetime’s CHRISTMAS LOVE LETTER will be out December 21st. I play Ashley Newbrough’s frustrated boss. You know Ashley from Hallmark’s A MERRY CHRISTMAS MATCH, SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS, and LOVE UNDER THE STARS. She is a delight in this film, too!
And I’m excited about Joe Manganiello’s upcoming film, SHOPLIFTERS OF THE WORLD. It’s based on the 80’s British band, The Smiths, and it was great fun to be back in the 80s with big hair and bigger shoulder pads. I think it’s going to be another great little coming-of-age film, like MYSTIC PIZZA.
with Karen Schaler, author of Christmas Camp
I know you have also done some theater as well. What do you appreciate most about the theater? What do you enjoy about film/TV?
I started doing theater when I was fourteen. It’s very satisfying to tell a whole story in one evening. For me, there’s nothing like the energy of a live audience. But it can be hard to re-tell that same story eight times a week! I’m enjoying film/TVwork right now, only tackling a few pages a day. I love the challenge of jumping around in the timeline, focusing intently on just those few pages, that exact moment in the character’s life. But I’m sure there’s more theater for me down the line. I love to sing, and I’d love to do a musical in New York City.
What is your favorite holiday?
Oh, goodness, sign me up for CHRISTMAS CAMP all year long!
I have simply adored Geraldine in both Manifest and Christmas Camp, and I look forward to seeing her new movie as well as the other works that are coming out for her next year and beyond. I will always hope that Manifest will continue to bring her back (I mean, you never know what they’re gonna do with a show like this one!), and I can entreat Hallmark to feature her again as well. She is the ideal character actress to portray a matronly character with spunk, intellect, and kindness, and her off-screen persona also fits perfectly with the ideals of Hallmark and any network who chooses to utilize her capabilities to their full extent. While I probably don’t relish seeing her as a werewolf (but I bet it was fun for her to play!), I have no doubt that her extensive skill set could tackle any role that is placed in front of her, and I know the audiences cherish her as well (rightfully so!).
I hope that everyone tunes in and/or sets their DVR for her new Christmas movie tonight–Christmas Love Letter premiering December 21st on Lifetime. Additionally, I would invite you to visit her links below and follow her on social media if you are so inclined. She is a positive force in a world that is often dark and morose, and as far as I’m concerned, if we had more people like Geraldine in this world of ours, it would be a far better place indeed! I invite my readers to check out her past works (I really think you’d like her in Manifest), and let’s keep our fingers crossed that we will see her on our screens in amazing features and shows for many more years to come!
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