The Martha’s Winery Thriller collection returns to Hallmark Films & Mysteries this Sunday, and we spoke with star and govt producer Jesse Metcalfe to study extra.
We chatted with Jesse in regards to the new Martha’s Winery chapter, obtained a tease about Chesapeake Shores, and found excellent news for followers of his Netflix movie with Bruce Willis, Arduous Kill.
Discover out all about it and extra by studying under.
You’ve got plenty of irons within the fireplace with Hallmark. Are you able to discuss a little bit bit in regards to the distinctive facets of filming standalone films, a collection of thriller films, and an episodic collection?
Properly, I imply, first, I might identical to to precise my gratitude to the community. They’re wonderful to work for. They are surely, they usually’ve actually let our relationship evolve, now permitting me to supply with the Martha’s Winery Mysteries, and I could not be extra grateful to them.
I imply, no different community has actually put this a lot religion in me earlier than, and it has been a lot enjoyable. I imply, having the ability to be concerned in each inventive side of manufacturing content material has actually been like a dream come true as a result of I went to New York College for movie.
Initially, I wished to be a director, however not an actor. I ended up falling into appearing. So, I imply, I believe I am uniquely certified to do that job. And I might wish to assume that that 4 years at NYU was serving to me create some actually nice content material for Hallmark.
And also you’re one of many uncommon males who have been a part of a thriller collection the place every part is from Jeff’s viewpoint, basically. What are the character traits that have been vital to you for Jeff to have?
Properly, I believe any time I take part in a mission with the community, I wish to make it possible for there’s nice character improvement. I believe the rationale why so a lot of my tasks have resonated with the viewers is that there is at all times been actually well-developed character arcs inside my films.
Whether or not it is a film that basically obtained to begin over on the community, which is A Nation Marriage ceremony or it is Chesapeake Shores, or it is Christmas Subsequent Door or Christmas Beneath the Stars, I wish to make the viewers really feel one thing.
And that signifies that the stakes should be excessive from an emotional standpoint.
And if that isn’t on the web page after I settle for the mission, I make it possible for the script will get there and that the efficiency is sweet, and I believe high quality is vital.
So so far as Jeff Jackson is worried within the Martha’s Winery Mysteries, he is such a layered character. So I do not get uninterested in the character as a result of he has a previous.
He has this deep storyline that runs via the entire films about discovering out who shot him, and he has some PTSD round these occasions and shedding his associate.
That, coupled with the romantic storyline between him and Zee Madeiras, coupled with a brand new thriller in each new installment makes for a extremely enjoyable position to play.
How vital is it so that you can get the storyline proper concerning Jeff’s PTSD and what he is going via? That is clearly one thing that folks undergo for a lot of totally different causes.
From a medical standpoint, it is fairly vital to showcase all types of various ways in which these signs and stuff play out. How do you’re feeling about that?
It is extremely vital. And I believe, for me, it is one thing that ties the collection collectively from film to film in order that these aren’t standalone films.
The characters are progressing from film to film. And for me, I believe that is important as a result of I actually wish to see an evolution with these characters. And I believe that is what retains folks engaged. And from an appearing standpoint, it is what retains me engaged as a result of I haven’t got to come back to set every film and play the identical beat.
There’s consistently one thing new for me to discover inside the character.
And what are you able to tease about Ships within the Evening?
Properly, I can tease that Jess will get nearer to discovering out who shot him. Jeff and Zee get nearer romantically, and we’ve got yet one more fascinating and sophisticated thriller to unravel.
One of many different facets of this explicit thriller present that I actually like is that the connection between Jeff and Zee is actual.
There is not a will they/will not they facet, however as an alternative, they’re genuinely eager about one another and taking it sluggish and making it significant when there are such a lot of different exhibits that dangle on the precipice of whether or not or not they will go there.
Why select the avenue of sure, they’re there, and make it a little bit bit extra sluggish and straightforward?
Properly, I am so glad you carry that up and thanks for acknowledging that. We nonetheless wish to tease the viewers as to is the connection going to progress within the new installment of the film. But it surely’s crucial for me to maintain the connection grounded and actual.
And it helps that these two characters have a historical past collectively, however additionally they carry their particular person baggage to the connection. And I wish to hold the obstacles, which is their baggage, very grounded and actual.
Jeff coping with his previous, his PTSD, actually wanting to search out out who shot him in order that he can put it to mattress and be accessible inside the relationship.
And likewise, on this installment of Martha’s Winery Mysteries and Ships within the Evening, we get a higher perception into Zee’s reservations about taking the connection to the subsequent stage.
Once more, it’s totally actual. Speaking about her previous relationship and being cheated on by her fiance. So there are issues holding these characters again, however they’re nonetheless nice buddies, and a relationship is going on. They’re relationship, however sure, they’re taking it sluggish, and there are the reason why they’re taking it sluggish.
In order that it isn’t simply plot-driven or making an attempt to maintain the audiences as to will they or will not they kiss or do that, or do this, which I believe might be very contrived at occasions.
It could possibly, and what I like is that they really talk. They do not maintain again on what points they’re dragging about. They’re on the market, and they also know to be cautious.
It is simply extra grounded, extra genuine. And the banter between them and the humor between them. I imply, they masks plenty of what they’re feeling and what they’re considering with humor, nevertheless it’s excellent there below the floor to the place we’re not likely hiding what these characters are going via or what they’re feeling.
And it feels genuine. And that is crucial factor, to inform a narrative and to current characters which might be actual and genuine. I imply, that is our job as storytellers and actors.
And whereas we’re talking of the desire they, will not they, you additionally star in Chesapeake Shores as Hint. And whereas we all know it is coming again, do you have got any thought when it begins filming? Have you ever seen any scripts? What is going on on with Chesapeake Shores?
We have written the whole season. That is without doubt one of the items of placing season 5 off a full yr as a result of pandemic. However I’ve but to learn something. I’ve feeling about it as we’ve got a brand new head author, Phoef Sutton, who has nice credentials.
He was a author method again within the day on Cheers, so I am hoping he can carry up some nice dialogue to our present, which I believe is an space, possibly, that we wanted to enhance.
And our govt producer, Dan Paulson, has nice religion in him. So if Dan believes in him, I consider in him, and I am actually chomping on the bit to no less than learn a few episodes. And from what I hear, we plan on going again into manufacturing in April.
And because the man who performs Hint, what sort of future would you envision for him?
Properly, I’ve been tipped off as to a few plot twists regarding Hint, and one thing occurs that I do not assume anybody goes to see coming. So I believe it will be a terrific flip for Hint and for me because the actor who performs Hint.
It will be one thing new and one thing very totally different that Hint has to cope with. So Hint is not on tour anymore. He’ll be spending a little bit bit extra time in Chesapeake.
In order as to whether or not that kiss on the finish of the episode of season 4 signifies that Hint and Abby are again collectively, stays to be seen.
It additionally means that you can showcase your music. What do you have got lined up for followers from that facet?
Properly, I imply, clearly, I completely love that side of the present. It is so enjoyable for me, and I believe that the followers of the present actually reply to it. It simply goes to point out the facility of music and particularly the facility of music in tv and movie.
However I am at all times engaged on new materials. So I am going to current some new songs to our producers and sort of see in the event that they chew, and Dan and our different producers are at all times nice at sourcing music for the present.
And I study these songs and sort of do my tackle the songs, my rendition of these songs. And hopefully, there will be plenty of music in season 5, however I imply, that facet of the present shouldn’t be actually below my management.
So I hope we proceed to do this, and I do not see any motive why we would not, however that is a shock for me as nicely. However we at all times get nice songs. I imply, individuals are consistently reaching out to me over social media, asking me the place they’ll get these songs.
I make the music that I’ve written and recorded for the present accessible on my web site, officialjessemetcalfe.com.
However these different songs, I actually have been pushing our producers and largely our producers actually; I believe the Hallmark Community is recreation, and the executives over there are recreation to do a soundtrack, however that basically has but to come back to fruition.
And I imply, there are actually some hits that folks love — Freefall; and folks love to listen to these songs over and over.
Hopefully, we’ll get that. The folks behind the scenes are altering; they’ve Hallmark wine and every part. So I might not put a soundtrack out of the realm of potentialities.
Properly, out of your lips to God’s ear. Out of your lips to the community’s ear.
Lastly, you might be related to two of essentially the most iconic franchises in American tv: Dallas and Determined Housewives.
Thanks.
What did you study from these experiences that you simply carry into every part that you simply do now?
Oh, my God. A lot. The place do I start? I really feel actually good about the place I am at as a person, as an actor, as a 42-year-old. I’ve realized a lot on this business, typically the laborious method, however I believe this business is about relationships, and it is about synergy and collaboration. It is actually about working with others.
And I believe that is the factor I realized essentially the most, work nicely with others, and Determined Housewives was only a complete whirlwind. I used to be a younger actor that basically had no concept that present was going to fly the best way it did and be such an incredible hit and now a part of well-liked tradition.
So I believe the teachings I realized on that present have been the teachings of a younger actor, however the expertise I gained driving that wave was immeasurable.
Now, so far as Dallas is worried, I actually put plenty of stress on myself throughout that present to do proper by the model and make a present that was nearly as good or higher than the unique collection. However what I spotted on that present is that one individual, one actor on a present, cannot make that occur.
It is a collective effort, and I used to be extremely pleased with season one of many reboot of Dallas, however I believe we misplaced the plot a bit shifting ahead. And clearly, shedding Larry Hagman was an enormous blow as a result of Larry Hagman was Dallas.
So I do not assume we ever actually recovered from that. I hoped that present would go no less than 5 seasons, however I used to be honored to be part of it whereas it lasted, and I believe again on these occasions fondly.
And is there the rest that you simply wish to share with my readers?
Properly, I not too long ago obtained some excellent news. As your readers might or might not know, I did a film with Bruce Willis known as Arduous Kill. It reached quantity two on U.S. Netflix, primary on U.Ok. Netflix. And I’ve not too long ago been informed that we’re doing Arduous Kill II. Good!
So I am going to get to share the display screen with the nice Bruce Willis once more and the remainder of the ensemble of actors on that mission. I had a blast making that one, and I do know it will be a good time making quantity two.
Ships within the Evening: A Martha’s Winery Thriller airs on Hallmark Films & Mysteries on Sunday, January 17 at 8/7c.
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a workers author and critic for TV Fanatic. She’s a member of the Critic’s Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of tv and movie. Comply with her on Twitter and e mail her right here at TV Fanatic.