INTERVIEW: Actress Lisa Durupt of Hallmark's 'Murder She Baked'!

I am most excited to share with you all today my interview with actress Lisa Durupt, who portrays Andrea Todd (Alison Sweeney's Sister!) in the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries ongoing movie series 'Murder She Baked'! Lovely and vivacious in her role - you will often find that Lisa is a scene stealer, making you laugh at loud at her witty remarks and hilarious antics!

In my interview with Lisa, she will give you a "taste" of what is to come in the next movie in the series - 'Murder She Baked: A Deadly Recipe' in our *chat* below and be sure to watch the premiere Sunday night - June 19, 2016 at 9pm/8c on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries!

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INTERVIEW

ACTRESS

LISA DURUPT

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Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Welcome to "It's a Wonderful Movie", Lisa - where we chat about Hallmark & Family TV Movies!

You have such a fascinating background. I read in your bio, that if not for an injury, you would be playing ice hockey. Wow! You seem so perfectly suited for what you do. What made you develop a passion for acting?

Lisa Durupt: Thank you!

An overall passion for the arts was a direct result of having very creative parents.

My mom was an elementary school teacher and she always had us doing crafts and going to concerts etc. She exposed us to all forms of the arts from an early age: music, gymnastics, painting, you name it.

My dad introduced me to many different sports because I was a little tomboy. He would also include me in home renovation projects, fishing, working on his cars & boats etc.

Nothing really jumped out at me at the time but I acquired skills along the way that would prove helpful later on. For example, the ability to read music was something I took for granted until my 20’s for sure.

I would say that an appreciation for the arts, coupled with the love of a challenge, sparked an interest in musical theatre in university. That passion developed organically and continues to grow for both stage and screen alike.


Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Do you recall the moment you learned you were chosen to be in Hallmark's ‘Murder She Baked’ series?

Lisa Durupt: Yes I do! I was making lunch at home. My agent gave me the news and there you have it. When it kicked in that I was going to be working with Alison Sweeney - North America’s healthiest mom - I put my pasta back in the cupboard and tripled the size of my salad bowl.

Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Lisa, I must say... I absolutely love your role as Andrea Todd, Hannah Swensen’s Sweet, yet Sassy Sister in the ongoing ‘Murder She Baked’ Mystery Movies. Please tell us a little more about your character, who often adds an air of comedy and light-heartedness to the stories.

Lisa Durupt: Thank you! I think you nailed it with the “sweet and sassy“. Like most creative people, she is passionate. So either way, good or bad, she has an opinion and she will voice it with total conviction. Like most situations, the truth can be refreshing on some level - be it funny, shocking, or overwhelming. In this case, Andrea’s lack of filter adds a little relief to tense or awkward situations between everyone else. It’s her best quality.


Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: How fun is Andrea to play?

Lisa Durupt: She is a great character to play! She is a feisty little pitbull in heels who loves nothing more than her family and fashion. Plus, with the pregnancy suits, I’ve had a blast these past couple of shows. At lunch I never had to worry about fitting back into a tight dress.

Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Please share what it is like to work with your co-stars Alison Sweeney (as your Sister - Hannah Swensen) and Barbara Niven (as your Mother - Delores Swensen). Your chemistry together on screen is top-notch fabulous!

Lisa Durupt: Working with Alison and Barbara has been a really great experience. From day one the chemistry was easy. What you’re seeing on screen is a reflection of how well we genuinely get along.

Alison is so much fun to play with! One of our first scenes together was when she had to climb up to look in the garage window. Without hesitation we simultaneously decided in about 2 seconds that I should hoist her up, in her dress, with me in heels. I knew right then and there it was a match made in heaven. I just love that she is equally as klutzy as me! She is the best.

Barbara is the warmest person I know. I found it really easy to bond with her as I think we both share a common idea: “There is good in everyone and joy in everything, if you choose to find it.”

I really admire her ability to be gracious and compassionate to everyone in a business that can often push all your buttons. She made me one of her special coffees with Macadamia Nut dairy-free creamer, which was extra-special for me because I’m lactose intolerant. Being a total coffee nut, we bonded for life on this alone.

I also really have to mention Juliana Wimbles, who plays Lisa. She’s the funniest, sassiest and most amazing scene partner you could ask for. She keeps me in stiches from the morning makeup chair to end of night wrap out. I keep hoping they will explore that friendship but there are so many storylines already. She has become one of my closest friends and, as I am finding out, is a great writer. You may want to keep your eyes peeled for some future Hallmark scripts from this little lady.

Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Now, for the guys… Please, do tell what it’s like to work with Cameron Mathison (as Detective Mike Kingston), Gabe Hogan (as Dr. Norman Rhodes), and Toby Levins (as your Husband Bill Todd)?

Lisa Durupt: Oooooh where to start… What is it like to work with these gents?

Cameron. I have said it before but it is true. Cameron is very much a golden lab in human form. He is fit, attentive, so kind, so sweet and so genuinely excited to learn everything about everyone. He has always been really supportive of me and I just love how much energy he gives you in each scene. On top of that, he always starts the day by giving hugs in the makeup trailer so that is a great way to win over the women the cast. Ladies, you may swoon now!

Gabe is one of the funniest people I know. I don’t say that lightly. He is. He is that guy that will sit quietly between scenes reading The New Yorker or the paper. Then, right before you start rolling, he will quietly say one thing to you that lands just right and you double over laughing. His wit is impeccable and I love talking hockey with him.

Toby is a total fitness enthusiast and a complete ham that loves to make everyone laugh. We make a great team because I love to laugh. Needless to say, we spend a good portion of our time on set goofing around like kids. We share a mad love for our dogs, which we both bring to set when we can. I really respect him as an actor and know he is always game to try anything in a scene.


Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Since the ‘Murder She Baked’ movies are often centered around Hannah’s Bakery “The Cookie Jar”… do you have any particular sweets or desserts you simply can’t resist? When I interviewed Cameron Mathison, he said his favorite was a freshly baked peanut butter cookie.

Lisa Durupt: Fresh Fig Newtons! Odd choice, I am aware. But I have always been in love with anything made with figs. My great grandma started that when I was young. I used to like to dunk them in tea.

Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Sometimes your character gets into a little trouble from her police officer husband for helping her sister Hannah with her sleuthing. Will Andrea be involved in any more crime solving adventures in the new ‘Murder She Baked: A Deadly Recipe’?

Lisa Durupt: Let me put it this way… This time around Andrea has a whole new problem to worry about!


Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: How long was the shoot for ‘Murder She Baked: A Deadly Recipe’? Please share a little behind the scenes.

Where was it filmed, etc?

Lisa Durupt: We tend to film each movie in about 3 weeks. We shoot in the Lower Mainland of Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada. Our locations are always changing but a fun little fact about the bakery; it got a spacious upgrade this year. I think fans will recognize it from a past film.


Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Can we expect to see more ‘Murder She Baked’ movies after ‘Murder She Baked: A Deadly Recipe’?

Lisa Durupt: As long as fans will support it, we will keep making them!

Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Here at “It’s a Wonderful Movie” we absolutely LOVE Hallmark and Family Movies – so I am quite excited to share with my readers, that not only will you be in ‘Murder She Baked: A Deadly Recipe’ on Hallmark Movies& Mysteries Sunday June 19, but also one of the ‘June Wedding’ movies ‘The Convenient Groom’ on the Hallmark Channel Saturday June 18, and one of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas movies ‘Operation Christmas’! Can you share with us any details about your characters in these two upcoming movies?

Lisa Durupt: ‘The Convenient Groom’ - this was such a great little cameo in Vanessa Marcil’s film. Oddly enough, Stephanie – the character I play – is not nice, unlike Andrea Todd. I tend to play villains or mean girls outside of Hallmark so I think it will be fun for Hallmark fans to see a glimpse of that.

‘Operation Christmas’- I was really excited about this film because I have always been a fan of Tricia Helfer and Marc Blucas. They were so much fun, not to mention stunning, both of them. They towered over my 5’3’ frame. It was pretty funny. It was also really fun that my character sang in this show as I had never sang on camera before.


Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: What does it mean to you to create Hallmark movies that families can watch together?

Lisa Durupt: Friday nights were always ‘family movie night’ at my house. That bonding time was really important and stayed with me. I love that Hallmark has recognized the ongoing need for that content and that their audience continues to support it.

Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: How can viewers learn even more about you & your future projects?


Lisa Durupt:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelisadurupt
Instagram: @thelisadurupt
Facebook: Lisa Durupt- Actor
Website: LisaDurupt.com

Net, It's a Wonderful Movie: Thank you so much, Lisa, for doing this interview with “It’s a Wonderful Movie”!

Your role on "Murder She Baked" is truly endearing and special to me – because I am so close to my precious Mother and Sister… so, I just adore your scenes together!!!

(As I'm sure many other Mothers, Daughters, and Sisters do!)

Lisa Durupt: Ah thank you!!!! xo

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That's a wrap!

I sincerely hope you all have enjoyed my interview chat with Lisa. She was so sweet to have this talk with me and share juicy tidbits of the 'Murder She Baked' series. I could just feel her warmth, enthusiasm, and joyful energy behind what she does! It was so wonderful to talk with her and now share this interview with all of you!

Be sure to grab some Fig Newtons, fudge, cupcakes, popcorn, or any treat you like and enjoy this all new movie on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries - 'Murder She Baked: A Deadly Recipe' on Sunday night - June 19, 2016 at 9pm/8c!

For even more details on the next movie, visit my page: 'Murder She Baked: A Deadly Recipe' for movie images and my movie review!

I hope you enjoy this all new 'Murder She Baked' movie and we look forward to seeing Lisa Durupt in this and more Hallmark movie projects!!!