Joanna Douglas, who plays Shannon in Hallmark’s Noel Next Door, shared her character’s journey and what fans can expect from the movie!
The movie, starring Natalie Hall and Corey Sevier, will premiere on Friday, October 21 (8 p.m. ET/PT), on Hallmark Channel. It’s part of the network’s annual, beloved “Countdown to Christmas” Programming Event.
We at Survived The Shows have got the chance to chat with Joanna Douglas in an exclusive interview and tease what we can expect from the movie and Shannon!
What’s the main element in Shannon’s character and the movie in general that fascinates you the most and drew you to join Noel Next Door?
JOANNA DOUGLAS: I love a supportive character. She is there for her sister. She helps take care of her niece. She’s a mom and a real family woman. She’s rooting for her loved ones and that is a part I’m always happy to play. Positivity on television cannot be underestimated in today’s world.
As we know quite well so far, Hallmark movies and shows always feature well-shaped and relatable characters – Where are you and Shannon most similar and where most different as human beings?
We both love our family! And we want to protect them. We are engaged in community activities and have high hopes around Christmas. Shannon is better dressed than I am!
What’s been the biggest challenge for you in portraying Shannon?
She’s lovely to portray. Any challenge involved being away from family in order to shoot the film. However I happen to have family in Ottawa so that was great to get to visit them!
To all the fans looking forward to watching the movie, how would you describe Noel Next Door in just 3 words?
Sweet, heartwarming, fun.
What can you tease about Shannon’s journey throughout the movie?
The location they scored for her house is a dream!
Talking about the environment on set, how would you describe your experience while filming Noel Next Door and do you have any fun anecdotes to share?
The production company, their crew, and the other actors were like family. They like sticking together and working with people they like so it’s a very relaxed, joyful atmosphere. The first week was all night shoots. So, come around 3 in the morning, you find yourself getting to know one another quite quickly.
If you could choose a character from Noel Next Door that you would have loved to play, apart from Shannon, which one would it be and why?
Callum- it would be fun to throw a ball at a grownup’s head if you were a child on set!
Did you take anything from set, any prop or piece of costume, to remember your experience?
Lots of chocolates and power bars for the rides home.
Throwing back to the origins of your career, how did the passion for acting come about in your life?
I played pretend all the times. The youngest of 3 girls in my family, I always wanted to be around my sisters but they did not feel the same! So, I had my own imaginary world where I was always solving a mystery undercover. In high school I took Drama because I thought it would be easy. To me it was, but I found that jumping into another characters’ shoes was not a talent everyone else could open themselves up to.
Among all the movies you’ve had the chance to join throughout your career, is there any particular one you’re most fond of?
Anne with an E- a Netflix and CBC production was my favourite job to date because I loved Anne of Green Gables- the books and movies- and the character of Miss Stacy. The creators and writers and producers took such care of every detail. And the actors were phenomenal.
If you had to give some advice to people who want to pursue an acting career, which kind of advice would you give them?
Make sure to stay engaged in other areas of life. It gets very trying being continually rejected. So I would advise being careful not to place your identity in being successful. Keep doing it for the joy of doing it and pour yourself into other things that have meaning and purpose to you.
Noel Next Door premieres October 21 on Hallmark Channel. Tune in!
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