HallmarkmainstayLacey Chabertreunites with herParty of Fiveco-starScott WolfNov.
DEADLINE Hallmark really got ahead of things in anticipation of the strike.
When did you shootA Very Merry Christmas?
Scott Wolf, Lacey ChabertHallmark Media/Photographer: Mark Mainz
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How much time does it take to complete one of these movies?
CHABERTEvery single Hallmark movie Ive done, all 38 of them, have been in about 15 days.
Ive worked with the same directors and producers repeatedly, so theres a bit of a family feel.
Whose idea was it to get Scott Wolf?
We both said we would love this opportunity and Hallmark embraced the idea and found this beautiful story.
Im so excited to be talking about it today.
Ill never forget standing there on set before we shot our first scene.
Were you clear to Hallmark that you had to be siblings and not lovers?
He and I both said that from the beginning, as did everyone else.
It was never anyones idea for us to be love interests in the movie.
No one wants to see that!
What were some of your memories of working with Scott on Party of Five?
You were just a kid.
Can you believe that?
I just remember the first time I met him.
It was during the audition process and our very last read together.
We all read together as a family, Neve and Matthew and Scott.
We all looked around and they said, youre our Salingers.
There was this immediate burst of laughter and tears and hugs.
I never knew it would turn into six years and 144 episodes.
Do you think a lot of your Hallmark fans were Party of Five fans?
There are some Easter eggs to Party of Five in the movie, if you watch really carefully.
You haveHaul Out the Hollycoming out next weekend.
CHABERTIts a very different movie than A Merry Scottish Christmas.
Haul Out the Holly is this big broad comedy, super joyful.
And theres a bit of a Party of Five reunion in there too.
I dont want to say nemesis, more like fre-mesis in the movie.
So its been a lovely year of reunions on all fronts.
What has the Hallmark career meant to you?
What has it done for your life?
CHABERTI had no idea that it would turn into what it has become.
I cant even express my gratitude.
I love these movies as a viewer.
Those stories touch my heart so deeply, and I really dont take it for granted for a second.
Time to talk about thoseMean Girlsinspired Walmart commercials!
It was super joyful and it was a real full circle moment too.
Its been almost 20 years.
We all have kids now.
We were able to talk about our kids and spend the day reminiscing.
It also felt like no time had passed.
We did it in Los Angeles.
Were you worried it would hurt the legacy of the movie?
It was just a blast.
Theyre rolling out the commercials through November.
We had more of Gretchens [Chaberts character fromMean Girls] story last week.
And this past Wednesday was Lindsays character, and I think there will be another couple more.
Do you know why Rachel McAdams couldnt do it?
CHABERTI actually dont know.
Have you already booked your Hallmark projects for 2024?
CHABERTWere busy at work making that happen.
