Becca Tobin (“Glee”) and Jake Epstein (“Degrassi” and “Suits”) star in “The Wedding Contract,” a new, original movie premiering Saturday, June 17 (8 p.m. ET/PT), on Hallmark Channel. We at Survived The Shows had the pleasure of chatting with Morgana Wylie about her experience in the making of the movie and what fans can expect. Check out the full interview below!
Morgana Wylie: Congratulations on your role as Hannah in Hallmark’s The Wedding Contract! Can you share with us what drew you to this character and the project as a whole?
That is so kind, it was great to play Hannah – maybe one of my favourite roles yet!
I was so excited to work with the individuals attached to this project from the very beginning. Peter DeLuise is a fantastic comedy director, and was able to guide the story to really reach its full potential. Every single cast member is incredibly talented, and it was very exciting to dig into what it means to be in a Jewish family at this point in all of the characters lives!
The Wedding Contract is a romantic comedy with a delightful twist. What can viewers expect from the film, and how does your character, Hannah, contribute to the story?
The film brings out the comedy and honesty of what it means to plan a wedding and the merging of two families that goes with it. As the character Hannah (who is already married with a baby on the way) I get to share a specific perspective on all the events as they unfold, and hopefully help my sister as she navigates this big event in her life.
Hallmark movies often have a warm and uplifting feel. How did you bring that charm and heart to your portrayal of Hannah in The Wedding Contract?
Well Hannah definitely has her charm… she has moments of warmth with her sister, but theres many other points in the film where the pragmatic side of the character shines through. I try to draw from similarities to myself – in the case of Hannah its her sarcasm, or honest forms of encouragement – and I find it’s a lot more fun to play the character that way.
Wedding-themed movies are always popular among viewers. What unique aspects or surprises does The Wedding Contract offer that will set it apart from other films in the genre?
The specific wedding traditions our viewers will get to experience alongside the characters throughout the film is absolutely going to set this film apart from others in the genre this summer! There is an incredible amount of tradition and information that we get to play with as the story unfolds, and it’s all really cool to share it with the Hallmark fans.
The Wedding Contract features beautiful locations and settings. Can you tell us about any memorable filming locations and your experience shooting in them?
The location where we filmed the wedding rehearsal & ceremony is absolutely stunning both inside and out. There’s an amazing amount of natural light, and we were so fortunate that the sun decided to come out as we began to film the wedding scenes! Our art department went above and beyond.
The film tackles the theme of love and commitment in a light-hearted manner. How do you think audiences will connect with the story and its underlying messages?
I think almost ANY audience member that has planned a wedding, or been in some way related to someone planning a wedding, will get a lot of laughs, resonating with what our characters are going through – and ultimately cheering them on.
As an actress, what were some of the challenges you faced while preparing for the role of Hannah, and how did you overcome them?
Getting to wear the baby belly for the film was a ton of fun, and had its challenges. As I have not had my own children, granted the opportunity to really dig in with all the physiological touchstones for Hannah at the different points in her pregnancy was really interesting. By the end I was definitely feeling like the belly was an extension of me (but loved being able to take it off every night at the end of the day!)
The Wedding Contract is a part of the Hallmark brand known for its family-friendly content. How does this film appeal to a wide range of audiences while staying true to Hallmark’s signature style?
This film especially is packed full of different characters, and a lot of comedy. The director Peter, and our producer Joey have fantastic comedic sensibilities and balance that well with keeping the film family-friendly. The script itself provides so many avenues for different characters to interact, which is going to be fun for all audiences.
The Wedding Contract has already garnered a lot of anticipation from fans. How do you feel about the reception the film has received so far, and what are your hopes for its success?
Its great to see fans excited about the film! Becca & Jake are so talented, and I think what they bring to the film is absolutely going to live up to all the anticipation. I hope the success of the film as a whole contributes to the network continuing to make more films with a wide range of representation!
What can you teased about your next projects?
Well without giving anything away…. I’ve just started filming a new Hallmark, and it’s filled with ”Traditions”…. And a big group of characters the fans will fall in love with… Thats all you get for now!
The Wedding Contract, with Morgana Wylie, premieres June 17 on Hallmark. Get a preview below!
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Desirèe
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