British actor Will Kemp chatted about his new original Hallmark film “Jolly Good Christmas.”
This new original Hallmark movie will premiere on Saturday, October 29 on the Hallmark Channel as part of the network’s annual “Countdown to Christmas” programming event. “This movie was a real treat for me because we filmed it in London, and that is such a rarity for me. I had a wonderful time working in my hometown,” he said.
“Jolly Good Christmas” was shot entirely on location in London and it features iconic landmarks throughout the city. Jonathan Wright directed the movie from a script by Ron Oliver.
“I got to play David, who is an American architect, who transfers to London, who joins a big firm and is very eager to impress the boss and to land a very prestigious contract. I love challenges and I play an American, which is ironic because I get to film in London and I am playing an American. I really enjoyed that actually and I had a great time working with Reshma, she is a wonderful lady and a phenomenal actress,” he said.
Will Kemp plays David, an American architect who recently moved to London for a prime opportunity in a prestigious firm. With just three days before Christmas, he has yet to purchase a gift for his girlfriend, who also happens to be the boss’s daughter.
While out shopping, David crosses paths with Anji (Reshma Shetty), a professional shopper, who raises an eyebrow over his choice of a gift card. When David and Anji end up crossing paths again, he decides to hire her in the hopes of finding just the right gift.
Thanks to a series of unexpected events, David finds himself on a wild adventure across Jolly Old London as Anji helps him search for the perfect present.
Kemp remarked about “Jolly Good Christmas,” “What I learned through this story is that if you get to know a person well enough and you are listening to what they are talking about and what their interests are, the perfect gift can be such a powerful and magical thing to give anybody. I will urge everybody this year to give the ‘perfect gift’.”
On being an actor in the digital age, Kemp said, “I think that it’s both daunting and exciting. It is exciting because your work can be viewed straight away upon its release globally, and people can watch your work in their homes, on the computer, or still in the theaters.”
Advice for hopefuls
For young and aspiring actors, Kemp said, “You have to really love this. Forget about all the trimmings, it is all there to enable you to do your best work. Now, more than ever, it is easy to get caught up with all the social media and the pressure of how you look and how you present yourself. It has to be about the work, and the work needs to bring you joy. If you don’t crave the complexities of the work as an actor, then there are so many other jobs that you can be doing that is much easier.”
“You really need to love acting, and it’s about the work,” he added.
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Kemp said, “In Balance.” “I’m a father and a husband and I am in a great position since I get to do these fun romantic comedies and I get to do a lot of other work,” he said.
“I am able to balance my family life with my work life,” he added.
Regarding his career-defining moments, Kemp said, “I am constantly defined by moments. Part of the key is to be open to discovering new moments that define you. When I was barely 20, I performed in ‘Swan Lake’ on Broadway and that was just astounding. I will never forget what that was like.”
If he were to have any superpower, it would be “to fly.”
Kemp is excited to be appearing at ChristmasCon in New Jersey this December. “I am thrilled. I can’t wait for ChristmasCon. I recently booked my ticket so I will definitely be there. I think it will be a wonderful celebration with a lot of people there,” he said.
On his definition of success, Kemp said, “Trepidation and also fulfillment.” “Success changes all the time, and the key is to find success in everything, even if it is a failure,” he said.
To learn more about actor Will Kemp, follow him on Instagram.
