One thing you can always look forward to during the holiday season is some fantastic programming from the Hallmark Channel. The network returns with its Countdown to Christmas celebration which will feature 12 brand new original movies. The first of those movies is One Starry Christmas starring Sarah Carter (TNT’s Falling Skies).
Sarah plays Holly, an aspiring astronomy professor who finds unexpected Christmas romance when she meets a charming cowboy during her holiday travel. As she decides between this new cowboy and her practical boyfriend, she must decide whether it’s better to play it safe in love, or let an adventurous cowboy steal her heart. The movie will makes its debut on the Hallmark Channel this Saturday, November 1, 8/7c.
Sarah was kind enough to sit down with us to talk about the movie, working with Hallmark and if she believes if there is a soul mate out there for everyone.
Pop Culture Principle – How did this particular project end up on your radar?
Sarah Carter – I’d never done a Christmas movie. The script was sweet, which was a welcome change from most of the work I’ve done in the past 5 years. I was a bit surprised I was offered the role to be honest, but when I was, I thought it might be a fun opportunity to test out my softer side.
Pop Culture Principle – Can you tell us what One Starry Christmas is about?
Sarah Carter – It’s about following your heart and that it’s not always an obvious or innocent path. Of course, I ended up finding myself in a bit of an edgy little love story, Christmas candy coated, but there’s some murky truth in there for sure.
Pop Culture Principle – Your character is an astronomer. Did you know much about astronomy and what type of research did you do for the role?
Sarah Carter – All I really needed to know about stars for this role was how to wish on them … in some ways, I was born ready for this one.
Pop Culture Principle – How much fun was it for you to play a character like this as opposed to your character Maggie on TNT’s Falling Skies?
Sarah Carter – It was an absolute pleasure to be smiling in almost every scene.
Pop Culture Principle – The movie boasts a very solid cast with you, Paul Popowich and Damon Runyan to name a few. What was it like working with the cast?
Sarah Carter – I loved the cast and crew. Shooting was a blast.
Pop Culture Principle – Another theme with this movie is taking a leap of faith? She could have easily stayed with her boyfriend instead of taking that leap with the Luke. Would you agree?
Sarah Carter – I think she would have broken up with her boyfriend sooner or later. Holly needed true love and already had reason to be skeptical of her existing relationship before she got on that bus. When it comes to love, you know when you know and you know when you don’t.
Pop Culture Principle – Do you believe that there is a soulmate for each person out there?
Sarah Carter – I don’t know what I believe, but I certainly like the idea true love can last a lifetime with the right partner.
Pop Culture Principle – The holidays were important to your character Holly and her family. How important are the holidays to you personally?
Sarah Carter – Christmas is my favorite time of the year … mainly because everyone gets to act like a kid if they want to and I think staying young at heart is one of the most important things to remember in life.
Pop Culture Principle – This being your first project with the Hallmark brand, why do you think they are really excelling with their programming?
Sarah Carter – Hallmark has figured out how to make people happy and they simply do it well. What’s not to like?
Pop Culture Principle – What message do you want the viewers to take away after watching One Starry Christmas?
Sarah Carter – I hope this movie helps people remember what it feels like to wish on stars. I want it to make viewers run outside as the credits are rolling and throw their wishes up to the galaxy and beyond. Then I want people to believe they”ll be given everything they dream of and more in ways they couldn’t possibly imagine and would never expect.
We would like to thank Sarah for taking time out of her busy schedule to talk with us. Again, you can catch the movie One Starry Night this Saturday, November 1 at 8/7c only on the Hallmark Channel. If you would like to keep up with all the latest news and projects for Sarah Carter, you can follow her on Twitter @sanguin_carter.
***Photos courtesy of The Hallmark Channel***