Actor Zane Holtz (“Riverdale”) chatted about his new holiday film “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
He stars opposite Torrey DeVitto, and this new original movie will premiere on Saturday, December 17, on the Hallmark Channel. “This was super fun and my first time doing a Christmas movie,” he said.
“Torrey and I got along really well off-camera and we had fun working with each other, and that was important. It will show on camera with our characters as well. We were in Ottawa for the shoot,” he said.
Inspired by Troy, New York’s beloved annual tradition, “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” is based on the play “The Trial Before Christmas,” written by Duncan Crary and Jack Casey.
In this movie, Madison (Torrey DeVitto) is an actress who, despite working for decades, is best known for an early catchphrase she’d rather forget. Looking to broaden her career, she sees the opportunity to direct a play in Troy, New York as the perfect chance to prove her skills. Part play, part mock trial, the show features two lawyers debating whether “A Visit from Saint Nick” was authored by Clement Clark Moore or Henry Livingston Jr. and has the audience decide as the jury.
Madison casts an old costar, Connor (Zane Holtz), who is struggling to balance time for acting and his young daughter, Josie (played by Morgan Saunders). Despite feeling a spark with Connor, Madison has a rule to never date an actor. Also joining the show are two of the town’s overzealous Moore and Livingston cosplayers.
They are remarkably convincing when they can be found. Less convincing is Madison’s lead actress, Lena (Sophie Bastelle), whose sole qualifications seem to be hand modeling and the fact that she’s the producer’s girlfriend.
Soon, Madison worries that her first foray into directing will be a flop. Perhaps
however, with determination, and support from the town and from Connor, Madison just might find a way to make it all work.
“Our film has familiar story elements that people love in these Hallmark romantic comedies, but what will set us apart is that there is a mystery angle in the center of the story about who was the authentic author of the poem, and we will see our two lead characters as they navigate this play and their feelings towards each other,” he said.
The digital age
On being an actor in the digital age, Holtz said, “That is pretty interesting. I’ve been acting for 20 years now. When I first started out, I did movies that went to the theater and an episode of a TV show that landed on network TV. Now, everything seems to have three spaces that it lives in. Our film will be on Hallmark on Saturday, and it will be available to stream on Peacock and Hulu.”
‘Riverdale’
In “Riverdale” and “Katy Keene,” he portrayed K.O. Kelly. “These were awesome,” he admitted. “I started off doing ‘Kate Keene’ and then I went over to ‘Riverdale’ for a crossover episode.”
He also played the role of Eric Davies in an episode of the hit TV series “Walker.”
For young and aspiring actors, Holtz said, “If it is something that you are determined to do, and it’s in your heart, then you will do it. You just need to stick with it because you never know what opportunities will present themselves.”
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he said, “Chapter 35.” “I am going on Chapter 36,” he said. “I have a wife and four kids that I love. If everybody is feeling good, doing well in school and enjoying their lives, I feel successful.”
To learn more about Zane Holtz, follow him on Instagram.
