Because of my dedication to recognizing the supporting cast of Hallmark movies, I regularly uncover talent that might otherwise be overlooked inadvertently by the casual viewer. I don’t remember when I noticed Robyn Bradley, but the moment I realized how many works she had done for Hallmark and other well-known networks, I reached out to her for an interview. While there is no new Hallmark Christmas movie for her this season, there are plenty of past favorites for us to enjoy in her repertoire. I am grateful she was willing to share a bit more about herself and her career with my readers today.
RH: How/Why did you decide to pursue a career in acting? What kind of training have you had to prepare you for this career?
RB: For as long as I can remember, I have loved acting. I have pursued other areas. For instance, I have a commercial pilot’s license and have wonderful memories of my time working in that field, but I always come back to acting. I spent some time in New York studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, which was a fantastic experience. The school is rich with history, learning from such talented teachers in classrooms that so many talented actors had come before me. It was magical. Since returning to Vancouver , I have studied with a variety of wonderful teachers who have all contributed to my career: Aaron Craven at the Working Actors Gym, Gina Chiarelli, Tammy Gillis and Suzanne Bastien.
What was your first on-screen professional role and what are your memories of that job?
I played a psychiatrist in my first on-screen role. What’s funny is that I have played a psychiatrist quite a few times now. It was for a show called Diagnose Me and the director was Allan Harmon. It was a great experience.
Wedding Bells
Hallmark viewers first saw you in Wedding Bells a few years ago. What did you know about Hallmark before landing that role? How was your first filming experience with Hallmark?
I have been a big fan of Hallmark and their Christmas movies. I was so excited to be cast in a Hallmark project and expected the filming experience to be much like their movies, filled with friendly, kind people and they did not disappoint. In Hallmark Channel’s Wedding Bells, I played Tammy Gillis’s mom. Since then, she has become my coach and we have a great friendship that I am very grateful for.
Later on that year, we saw you in Sleigh Bells Ring. How did that experience compare to your first Hallmark movie?
Sleigh Bells Ring
My role in Sleigh Bells Ring was my first supporting lead role so I was on set a lot more, which was great. I really felt like part of the family. The lead was Erin Cahill, who I see every time I am in LA. Sleigh Bells was my first Christmas movie. There is something magical about creating Christmas in August.
You got to be a part of the mini-series When We Rise. What was that experience like, and why do you believe this mini-series was so important?
Wedding Bells
Being a part of When We Rise, the courageous story of the gay rights movement, was a privilege. Dustin Lance Black beautifully wrote a story that shines a light on how far we as a society have come, the sacrifices people made to get us where we are today and identifies how far we have yet to go.
We saw you in Christmas At Holly Lodge a couple of years ago. What was memorable about working on that film?
Working on Hallmark’s Christmas At Holly Lodge, I got to work with the very talented Alison Sweeney. I played the Mayor and gave a little speech before we lit the town square Christmas tree, which was a special moment. I got the privilege of working with her again on Chronicle Mysteries: The Deep End that aired on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries earlier this year.
We have also see you in Supergirl, The X-Files, Man In the High Castle, and iZombie. Any memorable moments from any of these shows that you would like to share?
Sleigh Bells Ring
Supergirl was a cross over episode which means that all the CW shows like Arrow, The Flash, DC Legends of Tomorrow all came to the wedding that my character planned. It was a logistical puzzle for the crew who said jokingly they were going to make t-shirts saying, “I survived the crossover episode.”
In X-Files, my character (spoiler alert) gets shot so they had six changes of the same wardrobe. We shot the scene more than once and since I was lying in an enormous amount of blood, that meant a complete, wardrobe and hair and make up redo every time!
It was a full-circle moment for me working on the reboot of the hit FOX series The X-Files. Back in the 90’s when it first aired, I was taking acting classes with William B. Davis aka “The Smoking Man”. To be a part of the story continuing was a real treat.
Being on Amazon’s hit series Man In The High Castle was quite the challenge as I had four pages of Hebrew to memorize for the audition. Actor’s life, no I do not speak Hebrew.
CW iZombie was such a fun and different character for me to play, she was a bit quirky. I was so excited to be part of Malcom Goodwin’s (one of the stars of the show) directorial debut. He was a wonderful director and we had a lot of fun.
Any other upcoming/current works you would like to mention?
Love Under the Olive Tree
I recently shot a Hallmark movie Love Under The Olive Tree starring Tori Anderson and Ben Hollingsworth. The lovely Peter DeLuise is the director. I have wanted to work with him for quite some time and he did not disappoint. It has been a wonderful experience. A very fun movie, a little bit like Hallmark’s version of the Hatfields and the McCoys with some olive orchards thrown in. While it did not air this past fall, when the viewers finally do see it, it’s going to be a fun ride.
What is your favorite holiday, and why is it your favorite?
My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love how the world becomes generous and kind. I have a tradition of sponsoring a family with a large group of my friends and we do our best to create the best Christmas ever for our Christmas family. It really is true that “it’s in giving that we receive”.
Robyn is the very epitome of what a working actor should be in the film/TV community in this day and age. She has labored arduously to attain the level of professionalism and success she now enjoys, but she continues to hone her craft, an attribute which I feel is the “hallmark” of a true artist. She remains humble and teachable no matter what praise her past works have garnered. While I cannot promote a new Christmas movie for her this season, I am quite happy to remind everyone of Sleigh Bells Ring, a delightful Christmas film that Hallmark will re-air a number of times this season (November 6th is the next time you can catch it). In addition to that movie, we can also be reminded of her prowess in Christmas At Holly Lodge, which Hallmark will show a number of times this season (the next showing is November 8th). Notwithstanding, I do hope that all of you will visit Robyn’s links below and consider following her where applicable so that you don’t miss her next upcoming film or show. As one who has worked with some of the best-loved actors and actresses in the Hallmark universe and beyond, Robyn stands as one individual on whom we can rely for a solid, dynamic performance, no matter the role or circumstances.
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