Even though Jill Wagner is still relatively new to the Hallmark network, she is undoubtedly one of the perennial favorites who appears to embody the principles and perspectives of this family-friendly network while radiating a classic persona that resonates with the fans no matter their background, race, or creed. Jill made an instant splash with this network when she first appeared in Autumn Dreams, and no matter the genre or character she portrays, fans cannot get enough of her on their screens. I had the supreme honor of interviewing her a few months ago, and I was practically speechless to have that same honor afforded to me recently in anticipation of the second installment of what is quickly becoming every Sleuther’s most-anticipated mystery series–Mystery 101.

Photo: Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Starbuck/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC.

RH: Jill, it’s lovely to get to chat with you today. Thank you for making the time.

JW: It’s lovely to chat with you as well, Ruth.

The Legend of 5 Mile Cave

I know you were recently a part of a film that aired on INSP called The Legend of 5 Mile Cave. It was so great to see that one. I know you’d mentioned it in our last interview, so I knew you were excited about it. And it was neat to get to see a Western because we just don’t see those much anymore. 

Exactly! I think that was one of the things that drew me to it was the fact that it was a Western, and I grew up watching Gunsmoke in the background at my grandfather’s house. So I have a bit of nostalgic love for these old Westerns. and I’m happy I got to be a part of one. And then it was a period piece which was something I had wanted to do. So it was like two bucket list checks in one!

The Legend of 5 Mile Cave

That’s great, Jill. My mom and I both enjoyed it so much. 

Aw, thank you.

It was great getting to see you in a different kind of role. I know I had read an interview where you mentioned it was a bit difficult to learn the dialect for the role. 

Yes, doing different dialects is not something I’m used to doing. And I’m not the most trained actor in the world, so I kind of felt like this was something new to me. It was also something that I wanted to get right. It felt weird at first and it was a little scary talking in this different cadence and trying to remember not to fall out of it. So I just wanted to get it right. But I know it also added to the character. The director was like, “Look, you don’t have to do a dialect.” I knew that, but I thought it needed to happen with my character, Susan, because I felt it would add so much to her character…who she was and where she lived and the time she lived in, and I really thought it added just a little to the story to have that dialect.

The Legend of 5 Mile Cave

I thought you did really well with it. I had to do a double-take when I first saw you in the movie because you looked different and sounded a little different. I really thought you got into the character well. 

Thank you.

The Legend of 5 Mile Cave

I know that movie has been available streaming and on DVD for a while now, but I was glad I got to see it on INSP. 

Yes, it’s available everywhere now, like Walmart and Amazon and probably every place you can think of. And I know it did really well for INSP, so I’m very happy about that. I hope they do more like this.

That would be great! Now, the second installment of Mystery 101 is premiering tonight. I saw the first one earlier this year, and I’m very excited about this second one. You and Kris{toffer Polaha} are so wonderful together. You have become one of my favorite Hallmark couples. 

Aw, that’s nice to hear, Ruth. Who are we competing against? Who do you love more? {laughs}

Photo: Jill Wagner, Kristoffer Polaha Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

Well, I’d say you and Kris are on the same level as Brennan {Elliott} and Lacey {Chabert} when it comes to favorite Hallmark on-screen couples. My mom and I do love the Hallmark mysteries. We’re so excited for this second one in this series!

Well, I think you’re going to like this second one even more than the first one.

I have no doubt. Now without giving away anything, what can you tease about Mystery 101: Playing Dead?

Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

Well, I do love the fact that it basically takes place in a theater. Of course, that’s for selfish reasons why I like that. I’m an actor after all. But I will say that the supporting characters in this one are the reason to watch the film. I mean, they’re that good, and it’s that colorful. And it’s a really good script. And there’s no way you guys are gonna be able to figure out “who dunnit.”

I believe you on that completely. I don’t think we even had the first one completely figured out if I remember right. These mysteries are so well-written.

Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

This second one even confused me, and I have the script. {laughs}

Sounds like we need to really pay attention, which we will. Now, do I understand that there are more Mystery 101 installments planned?

Kristoffer Polaha, Jill Wagner, Preston Vanderslice, Derek Green Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

Yes, we have been in the midst of filming our third one. And then we’ve got one more to film in July. So there will definitely be more coming up. I think the network is planning to air them in September at this point.

That’s so great to hear, Jill! I’m so glad the series is doing well and that you are making more and the viewers are enjoying them. We’ll just keep you two around for as long as we can. 

Jill Wagner, Kristoffer Polaha, Preston Vanderslice, Louriza Tronco Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

Exactly! Sounds good to me.

I understand you’ve already filmed a holiday movie for the upcoming Christmas season this year. 

Yes, I did already film one. It’s with Matt{hew} Davis, and it’s called Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses. It’s based on a book. Matt Davis is from The Vampire Diaries. It’s his first Hallmark film, so I’m excited about that. He was a great partner, and he’s a really talented actor. We were lucky to get him.

Jill & Matt

Well, that will be something for us to look forward to. I mean, it can’t really be Christmastime without a Jill Wagner Hallmark movie, right?

Aw, thank you.

And I mean that. There are certain actors with Hallmark that just have to do a Christmas movie every year, and I would say you are definitely on that list. And I get that same sentiment from the fans who contact me and comment to me about Hallmark. The consensus is that if it’s a Jill Wagner movie, people want to watch it over and over again. They are glued to it. The fans do adore you.

Jill Wagner, Mark Deklin Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Owen Strongman

That just makes me feel so good, Ruth. I will tell you this that when I first started acting, I think the best thing in the world for me would have been for somebody to say that they loved watching me on screen. That was kind of a dream that I didn’t necessarily would think would ever come true. I just figured I’d do acting for a little while until I figured out what I was really good at. And then I’d start a career. I thought acting was a stepping stone in life to keep my head above water while I was out in Los Angeles. But it turned out to be my actual career, which was funny. Because when my grandmother told me one day that somebody asked me if I could have another career, what would it be? I was like, “Well, this isn’t really my career. I’m just still trying to figure it out.” And she was like, “What are you talking about? This is your career!” Then I thought to myself, “Well, I guess I’m not in this stepping stone thing. I guess it is my career!” {laughs} I always thought it was gonna be like I’d open some little flower shop in the country, but I don’t know. It never quite happened that way. I just keep getting more roles.

Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman

Of course, you still could open a flower shop and I’m sure you’d have people flocking there.

Well, I might still do that. You never know. I do love flowers. That would definitely be a dream of mine.

That’s cool. I do want to tell you one of the things I appreciate about you. Personally speaking, I love the fact that you are a woman of faith. Not that you go and preach at people, but I love the fact that you’re not afraid of mentioning your faith online. 

Oh gosh, thank you. I appreciate you saying that. I think I wasn’t always so religious. My grandmother raised me in the church, but I was the kid who liked to sit in the back while I was coloring in a coloring book. I wasn’t really listening to the message or anything like that. I was in church, and it’s not that I didn’t believe, but it was that I didn’t have a really close relationship with the Man Upstairs.

Then as I got older, things happened in my life and you know something? God stood up for me and put Himself out there and said, “Okay, I’m gonna change your life.” So to me, I feel like I owe that back to Him. If He’s willing to stand up for you and do all these things for you, then you should honor Him. So that’s where all that comes from. I feel like it’s my duty to do all that. I don’t ever want to preach to anybody because I’m not a preacher and not somebody who knows the Bible from page one to five million. {laughs} But I do know what I believe, and I do hope that one of my posts hits somebody who’s maybe been thinking about going back to church or learning the Word of God or getting saved or maybe helps them to go in the right direction. That’s the main reason I do this.

Well, you never come across as preachy, Jill. And I believe that people aren’t always going to listen to someone until they realize how much you care. I think you share enough of yourself online and you do it authentically so that I think people can see that. You’re not just saying what you think and believe, but you’re out getting involved and trying to make a difference. And you try to stay away from the negative stuff.

Yeah, I may not post my entire life, but I try to share who I really am on social media. I try to share things that I think are funny or important or just in my world.  If you look at my Instagram, you kind of know who I am. I’m basically an actor who wants to be a farmer. {laughs} That’s kind of who I am in a nutshell. I appreciate the simple things in life. I definitely have been growing as I get older. When I was in my twenties, for me to come out about religion was not something I was willing to do. It’s not that I didn’t believe. I just figured, “Nah, I don’t need that backlash. I’ll just keep everyone happy.” But I think as we get older, we start to understand that it’s okay to be who we are and it’s okay for people to not like me and to disagree with me. Not everybody is gonna like you and think that what you’re saying is the right thing. I think that the right thing is to be genuinely who you are, to do the things that make you feel good. That’s kind of where I am right now in life in my forties. I guess going forward, I’ll probably just grow more into myself. I’m realizing that my late thirties/early forties have been the happiest times of my life.

The Legend of 5 Mile Cave

Yep, I just turned forty-five recently, and I can say that my forties have been my absolute best. Now, let me tell you one other really positive thing I heard about you, Jill. I have some friends who went to the recent Hallmark fan event for June Weddings in Memphis. And my friends absolutely RAVED about you! They called you the “real deal.” They said that you just came over to the table and sat down with them and started chatting with them.

Memphis

That’s so nice to hear. But I’ve gotta be completely honest with you.  I mean, I know this event was really nice for the fans, but it almost feels like I’m not even worthy to be there. Everybody is so nice and they keep giving you so many compliments. The fans are so generous with their love. It makes me feel a little bit like, “Wow, what have I done to deserve this?” But it was so nice, and I left there thinking about how I met so many great people who are watching the movies that I create and allowing me to work, thus allowing my dream to come true with my family. I owe everything to these people who love these movies. Because if they didn’t love these movies, I wouldn’t be working. For me, this event was a chance to meet my heroes–the people who have meant a lot to me, but I hadn’t been able to physically see them face-to-face and say, “Thank you.” So it was great for me to be able to do that, and like I said when I left there, I told everybody that my “Love Cup” was overflowing. It was such a great event for the fans, but also for us actors too. We got to tell these special people face-to-face, “Thank you! You’ve changed my life.” It really meant so much to me.

with the fans in Memphis

And see? That just proves why we love you so much, Jill! Honestly, not all actors have the same view you just shared. What you said makes me feel really wonderful too. It builds me up. 

Right, we’re all in this together–this little entertainment world–and we all play a part. The viewers and fans play a large part in the entertainment world because they dictate what we do, and if they don’t like you, then you don’t work. It’s pretty obvious. Then if I don’t work, I’m not able to provide for my family. You know what I mean? It’s like one feeds the other. It’s such a beautiful cycle right now for me because of the people. I was always worried that people weren’t going to like the way I was doing this so they’re not gonna connect with me…you know, there’s a million things that go through your mind when you’re an actor or just a human being in general. I think we’re all a little insecure to some degree.

Jill Wagner Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss

But when I started getting feedback from my first Hallmark movie, I was like, “Well, maybe this is a world where people really appreciate me.” You know, it’s not like I just started in the game. I’ve been doing this since I was twenty-four. It’s been hard, and I’ve been hustling, pounding the pavement, and going on audition after audition. I’ve gotten “no’s” after “no’s” after “no’s.” Sure,  I’ve gotten some good jobs too. But it’s not the easiest career path. So when you get a group of people like the Hallmark fans and they love you, it’s just like, “Wow!” It just knocks you off your feet! I wasn’t expecting it, but now I can be like, “Thank you so much because now I can stop and find a home!” Instead of wondering, “Oh my gosh, how am I gonna pay my next bill?” or “Are we gonna be able to do this or that or whatever?” No, now it’s like I have a group of people who love me, and I now want to create something they’re really gonna love. And it’s a world where I feel safe and in which my stepdaughter can watch and hopefully if my husband and I have a kid, they’ll be able to watch the things that I do. So I’m really proud of the network, and I’m proud of the work that I do for the network because it’s wholesome. And that’s kind of where I am right now in my life. In fact, I also feel like that’s how programming should be. It should be a little more wholesome.

I agree with you on every level, Jill! And we’ll claim you! You can stay at Hallmark. We’re happy to have you. 

Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

{laughs} Well, we’ll tell Bill Abbott that.

I happen to know Bill, and I think he’d agree with me. Now, is there anything else coming up that we didn’t talk about?

Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

I think we covered everything. Aside from a trip to Hawaii in August. A well-deserved trip. Doing these three movies back-to-back, I’m just excited to go back home and spend some time with my husband. And then we’re going to take a well-needed vacation. We’re going to turn off our phones and relax for a minute.

That sounds fantastic, Jill. I don’t have to tell you to enjoy your trip to Hawaii. But I’m sure you’re also enjoying working on these films. 

You’re right. You know, it’s work, but it’s still fun. I’m here with everybody that I know pretty well. Kris is just great, and they always hire great people for both the cast and the crew. It is work, meaning long hours. But when it comes down to it, it’s so much fun that it’s kind of hard to call it work.

I understand. Well, Jill, thank you so much for taking time from your busy schedule to chat with me today! I am so excited to see the movie tonight.

My pleasure, Ruth, thank you for wanting to chat with me. Like I said earlier, you are just filling my “Love Cup” up.

That goes for me too. Whenever I get to talk with people like you, it fills me up too.

That’s great to hear. I hope everyone enjoys the movie tonight! Have a great week!

©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Brendan Meadows

After chatting with Jill, I can divulge the fact that I was entirely impressed with her humility, her authenticity, and the uncomplicated fashion in which she shared such profound philosophies and truths. She never had an agenda, and the foremost concern on her mind was the fans, plain and simple. She was hesitant to even designate herself as a career actress, and she felt unworthy to be at a Hallmark fan event! While other actors may feel the same way and embrace similar values and principles, not all actors are as eager to share in such a straightforward manner. And for those reasons and many more, I find Jill such a refreshing and invigorating persona in the world of film and television. For her, it is never about fame, fortune, or anything for herself. All she desires is a chance to tell a story in the most genuine way possible, completely immerse herself in her roles, have the fans relish her work, and ultimately provide a comfortable living for herself and her family. It is as though Jill has found her home in the wonderful world of Hallmark, and without question, as blessed and as loved as she feels, we fans are the ones who benefit from her commitment to her craft and this wholesome, family-friendly viewing with the best network out there. Moreover, the fact that she exuberantly shares her real self with us, including her faith and values, is something that engenders within me heartfelt and enduring respect for this influential, zealous wife, mother, and artist. 

If you have access to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, I invite you to tune in tonight (June 23rd) for Mystery 101: Playing Dead, the second installment of a series that I hope and pray will run for years and years! If you are so inclined, I would also invite all of my readers to visit Jill’s links below and follow her on social media so that you can keep up with this radiant woman both on and off the screen. The fact that she looks to us fans and viewers as her “heroes….” could I feel any more edified and inspired? Jill is not only one of the absolute sweetest women on this planet, but she is also a fellow sister in the Lord with whom I anticipate spending eternity. However, until that moment comes, I am beyond thrilled to support her career every step of the way while applauding all of her endeavors, and I hope that every one of my readers will join with me to ensure that she continues to make a living doing something that permeates the world with love, inspiration, entertainment, and joy!

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Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman

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