In “Santa Claus Told Me,” Erin Krakow steps into a holiday whirlwind, surrounded by some of Hallmark’s favorite leading men, and she brings her signature warmth to the holiday romance and charm.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Erin about her upcoming Hallmark movie and her beloved TV series When Calls the Heart.
Here’s an inside look at our conversation, filled with Erin’s thoughts on everything from skating adventures to genuine friendships.
This is the first or first movie to feature multiple Hallmark dudes vying for the hand of a woman. How lucky is Erin to be at the center of this?
“How lucky are they?” Erin laughed.
“No, no. I mean, I know exactly what you mean. I consider myself lucky to have gotten to work with all of them. Not only are they all great actors, but they’re all great people, and the whole project was so much fun.
Erin seems to have a knack for playing characters who find themselves the center of romantic attention, so I had to ask her if she had a secret.
“It’s a tough job; someone has to do it,” she joked. “I don’t know that I have a secret. Maybe I just look like an indecisive person, but it’s still such a joy.
The atmosphere on set was light and fun, especially the playful dynamic between the actors. “We don’t have a lot of scenes where all the Knicks come together. It’s definitely more isolated than that, but I know those boys are having a lot of fun.
“At the end of the movie, when they first meet and fight each other, they really have a lot of fun,” she explained. “I also had a great time working with each of them individually.”
One of the highlights of the film is Erin’s reunion with When Calls the Heart costar Daniel Lissing. For long-time fans, there’s something undeniably magical about seeing these two together again.
“It’s such a pleasure to be reunited with Dan,” Erin said enthusiastically.
“I think we had a natural chemistry on screen. We didn’t have a specific plan of attack; we just approached these characters as we normally would on any project, and luckily some of that electricity still translated.
I want to know, does it feel like going home? “I didn’t know it felt like home,” she reflects.
“I guess it feels like a really fun high school party. It’s all the good parts of a reunion without the pressure. It’s easy—just know how to work together.
For Erin, the real magic of “Santa Claus Tell Me” lies in its whimsical and comedic elements. “What I love most about this project is the comedy,” she shared.
“There’s some great physical comedy, and some really funny jokes. It’s all a lot of fun to play. And then, it’s really exciting to see those magical elements come to life in the final cut.
Curious about the magic of the season, I asked her what a letter from Santa might reveal if it fulfilled her childhood wish.
“When I was seven, I really wanted to be Kristi Yamaguchi and be an Olympic skater,” Erin said with a laugh.
“For that reason, it was really fun to spend so much time on the ice at Santa Told Me. We skated all night at the Robson Rink in downtown Vancouver.
“So, are you skating well?” I had to ask.
“Am I a good skater?” she mused. “Fortunately, I didn’t fall. I didn’t need that cart or handlebars that you have to push to stay upright, so that was enough. You won’t catch me doing a triple axel anytime soon, but I can hold my own action.
In “Santa Claus Tell Me,” Olivia, played by Erin, is also responsible for home renovation projects. This is an area that Erin has personal experience with – although it may not be her fondest memory.
“In real life, I haven’t had the best experience renovating houses,” she admits. “Watching some of these makeover shows might be a little irritating to me.”
While a renovation show wasn’t her first choice, Erin made an exception for her friend Luke McFarlane’s upcoming Hallmark project, “Home Is Where the Heart Is.”
“He’s a really good woodworker and very talented. I’m really happy to see that,” she said, clearly supporting her friend’s work.
Switching topics, we dive into When Calls the Heart. Erin is excited to talk about the show’s upcoming twelfth season, which is filled with unforgettable moments.
“We’re in the last week of production and it’s an exciting season. My character alone has done a lot of things this season between romance and comedy and maybe even some… I hesitate to say tragedy, But this season also has some really emotional, dramatic scenes.
For fans who were left in suspense about Hargraves’ arrival at the end of When When Calls the Heart Season 11 Episode 12, Erin shared some comfort.
“One thing I will say that hopefully reassures everyone is that we addressed this issue at the beginning of the season. We won’t let the crowd dwell on this for too long.
As for a future collaboration with her current When Calls the Heart costar Chris McNally, as a little balm on the still-fresh wounds of Luca Bass fans?
“Oh, I’d love to work with Chris on anything,” Erin gushed. “He knew it. He was great as an actor and a good friend, and we had a great time together.
As we wrap up, Erin shares what continues to attract her to Hallmark and what excites her about the network’s future.
“They are a network that always puts love first and tells meaningful love stories… not just romantic love, but all kinds of love stories with real connections.
“A lot of my relationship with the network was through When Calls the Heart, which is a love affair for me, but I’m happy to be a part of whatever branches they grow from this tree. ”
Erin expresses her heartfelt thanks to “Tell Me Santa Claus” director Ryan Landers. “It was a pleasure getting to know him and I would be very excited and honored if I could work with him on any other projects.”
Erin Krakow is sure to make the holiday season brighter for all Hallmark fans with the warmth, humor, and undeniable magic she brings to her characters.
“Santa Claus Told Me” will premiere on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, November 9 at 8/7c.
Watch When Calls the Heart online
