Mark Deklin stars with Catherine Bell in Meet Me at Christmas, airing tonight on Hallmark Films & Mysteries.
Mark has made a pleasant facet gig for himself with Hallmark, starring in a few of it is most memorable motion pictures.
You recognize him finest from GCB, Lone Star, Devious Maids, and Designated Survivor, however he has loads of very enjoyable roles below his belt.
Mark has at all times appeared like a sort and adventurous man, and that works very nicely on his behalf along with his character in Meet Me at Christmas, Beau.
Mark mentioned, “From my perspective as Beau, Beau is a really cool man. He lives this very adventurous life. He is a world famend journey and nature photographer. A type of Nationwide Geographic sort guys who… Like a Jimmy Chin, a type of guys you may see on the facet of Mount Everest, or Machu Picchu or a type of cool unique locations.
“And I do not need to deal in any spoilers, however within the film we discover on the market’s one thing that is been driving him to do that. To reside his life on this form of adventurous, make every single day depend, make no two days the identical, see the world. He is actually pushed to do that. And it is cool, nevertheless it hasn’t given him loads of time to quiet down and discover love.”
Visiting Colorado for his niece’s marriage ceremony, he makes use of that adventurous nature to spring into motion when the marriage planner skips out for one more occasion. That is when he will get to know Joan, mom of the groom, Liam. Collectively, they resolve to offer the bride, Katie, and groom a marriage to recollect.
If Beau is adventurous and worldly, Joan is the alternative, placing her life on maintain to look after her household.
Joan and Liam misplaced one of the necessary folks of their lives when her husband died, and having the marriage in Colorado is an ode to him and the love he shared with Joan, at a really particular location signifying the nice love of their lives.
Mark mentioned, “After which Katie’s dad and mom, my little brother and his spouse, are additionally going to assist. However they get caught in a snow storm, to allow them to’t get there in time.
So it is actually simply Joan and Beau placing on this marriage ceremony. Which results in some moments of levity, as a result of Beau has no concept what he is doing. And since Beau actually does not have Christmas spirit.
It is a widespread theme in Christmas motion pictures to lose the spirit of the vacation, however Beau’s motive is not attributed to his profitable profession, though it’s a part of a throughline main again to his youth and his personal relationship with the placement of the marriage.
Mark usually performs males with a wholesome wit and a coronary heart of gold, and Beau is not any totally different. Joan and Beau start to type a friendship. “And it is fascinating, they form of irritate one another, however in addition they amuse each other. And loads of relationships begin out that means. Or proceed that means, the place you butt heads, however you additionally like one another.
They usually have a really totally different view of life however they each start to understand that they will study slightly one thing from the opposite’s view of life. After which they uncover that they share a standard occasion from their childhood.
And Beau begins to really feel like he actually begins to consider in destiny. And he begins to really feel like, ‘I used to be meant to be right here. And I used to be meant to fulfill this lady.’ And he begins opening up his coronary heart and being form of prepared to see what would possibly occur.”
Joan’s loyalty to her deceased husband and her need to not tarnish Liam’s recollections of his father put slightly kink into their budding friendship, however, Beau understands all this and he is respectful of all this, however they nonetheless, despite themselves, they start to fall for each other.
And so, it is a story of second possibilities. And it’s kind of of a sliding doorways factor, what would possibly’ve been. After which what we get a second probability to re-examine. And I believe it is a lovely story. I believe it is actually superbly rendered. I believe there have been some fantastic performances throughout from the massive roles to the small roles.”
Mark was completely thrilled with the setting on set. It reunited him with a former co-star, and he discovered working with Catherine Bell to be very pleasant, as nicely.
“We actually labored in the same means. We had been very a lot in the identical web page from day one. Which actually made me joyful.
“And likewise we had in widespread our producer, Jennifer Aspen. She and Catherine are previous mates. They’ve identified one another for years and years and years. They’re very expensive mates. And Jen and I had been castmates on GCB.
“So after I bought the decision I used to be actually flattered. Truthfully with the pandemic and every thing, I I had form of resigned to the truth that I wasn’t going to be doing loads of performing this yr. And I used to be nice with that.
“I’ve a facet enterprise putting in gardens, and we had been very busy. And I simply form of wrapped my head round the concept that, ‘I am not going to be an actor this yr and that is okay. Issues will decide up once more subsequent yr.’
So I bought this name and Jen mentioned, it was so beautiful. She mentioned, ‘There was by no means anyone else that I had in thoughts for this. You had been at all times my first selection for this position.’ And in order that was actually beautiful. And she or he had a way that Catherine and I might actually hit it off. And she or he was proper.”
Mark is impressed with the pace at which Hallmark motion pictures are filmed, particularly given the standard of the productions. He simply completed closing loop final week, and I’ve already seen a locked reduce.
“I am very happy with what I noticed, and I am very pleased with this film. I believe it is actually beautiful. And it was only a good feeling on set throughout. Capturing now with all of the COVID protocols is slightly unusual. And so I believe all of us had the sense of like, ‘Wow, we’re on this unusual, new regular collectively. So let’s all be on this collectively.’ And that felt actually good.”
After I complimented him on a specific scene from the film that hit superbly, Mark mentioned, “That is nice. As a result of it did really feel good once we shot it, however generally you simply do not know. Generally there are scenes you shoot and you do not assume a lot of it.
“You are like, ‘Yeah, no matter I did my job.’ After which it renders actually superbly on movie. After which different instances you’re feeling like, ‘Oh, I acted my butt off. We had been so good.’ And then you definately see the scene and you are like, ‘Yeah. It is okay.’ So I am glad that translated.”
Whereas the movie took three weeks to shoot, there was a a lot larger funding in terms of the expertise and manufacturing workers due to the brand new regular we’re seeing on account of COVID-19.
That meant a very long time aside from family members, and as a household man, that did sting slightly for Mark.
“That was the toughest half about it. I had a good time up there. And homesickness apart, it was a beautiful expertise. However the homesickness is actual. It is three weeks, however I needed to quarantine for 2 weeks after I arrived.”
That is one thing he takes significantly, and Mark normally caps his filming schedule at three weeks so he does not miss time along with his household. However even with the three weeks away, he usually will get to go to household halfway via the manufacturing. With stricter protocols, these days are gone.
“So I used to be away for 5 weeks, which was actually laborious. Simply as a husband, as a dad, that is laborious. I simply do not prefer it. They had been nice by the way in which, my household was completely nice with out me,” Mark laughed.
“In a means that is a part of what’s laborious. While you’re away and also you notice like, ‘Oh, life goes on with out me.’ That hurts. However it ought to. It is proper. I imply, I am glad their life wasn’t disrupted. I am glad they had been nonetheless having enjoyable.
“And through quarantine, I did not really feel as disconnected. Normally while you’re capturing and also you’re placing in lengthy hours, you’re feeling very disconnected since you’re not in the identical time zone. Your schedule’s loopy. However through the quarantine, my time was my very own.
“So I used to be actually productive. I used to be doing yoga every single day and understanding and meditating. And I used to be cooking, and I used to be writing, and studying and watching motion pictures. In order that was all pleasant. However I additionally was capable of join with my youngsters anytime I needed to.
“So my son may FaceTime me, and we may play a online game. We may play Roblox collectively on-line for half an hour. In order that was enjoyable. Or my father-in-law would FaceTime when my daughter had a softball recreation.
“I am one of many assistant coaches, so I used to be actually unhappy to be lacking chunks of her little league. However my father-in-law would FaceTime me, and I might watch her complete recreation in actual time. So it was laborious to be away, nevertheless it was doable.”
And do not mistake something that Mark mentioned as a criticism. He realizes the nice fortune he must be thought of an important employee, to be given the chance to work whereas others should not have the identical luxurious.
He virtually felt responsible about being labeled as such, however I reminded him how a lot we want leisure greater than ever, as their work brings happiness to so many who’re struggling to seek out it today.
“Folks need some vacation cheer, they need some escape. They usually additionally simply, at a really sensible degree, they need new content material. Manufacturing was shut down for what eight months or no matter. So the truth that there there’s new stuff being made, persons are enthusiastic about that.”
Whereas he is delivering vacation cheer to us by way of Meet Me at Christmas, his personal vacation plans are slightly extra up within the air. With older relations and the youngsters again in class half time, they’re being aware of the present state of affairs and taking part in it by ear.
“One of many issues we have discovered throughout this complete lockdown factor is that we’re actually grateful to be collectively. That is the principle factor. And the opposite factor we have been so impressed and pleased with is our youngsters resilience.
“I am joyful to say each of my youngsters have dealt with this new actuality actually gracefully. Not on a regular basis, clearly. However for essentially the most half, I have been actually impressed with them. And that is a pleasant feeling. So this yr, the vacation goes to be totally different clearly, however it will likely be cool. We’ll profit from it.”
And should you observe Mark on social media, you recognize he actively engages on Twitter, however he is on an excellent keel. His feed is upbeat and considerate.
“I curate very fastidiously. I am very considerate about what I publish. I publish about my youngsters, however I do not publish my youngsters. Our private life is our private life. And I wish to maintain it that means.”
However Mark additionally cherishes a few of the friendships he is made on-line. “However I’ve some actually, very nice individuals who observe me. Actually respectful individuals who make good feedback, however do not cross boundaries. And who’re simply candy form folks. And it is good to attach with them.”
So maintain connecting with Mark, and get on board with a transferring new vacation film, Meet Me at Christmas.
It is’ airing tonight, Saturday, November 14, at 10/9c solely on Hallmark Films & Mysteries.
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.