By: Kat Harlton
CatLH.com
Catherine Lough Haqquist appears in “Jingle Around the Clock” a new, original movie premiering Saturday, December 22, (8 p.m. ET/PT) on Hallmark Channel as part of the network’s #1-rated programming event, ‘Countdown To Christmas‘.
About The Movie:
Elle Bennett (Brooke Nevin) is an ambitious ad agency executive in Chicago who is looking forward to putting together her annual “Misfit Christmas” party with her close friends – a holiday tradition since their college days which is clearly important to her. However, difficulties at work put a kink in her plans, drawing her back to the office, where she discovers the company is bringing in another executive, Max Turner (Michael Cassidy) from the New York office to solve the problem. Concerned this new guy who she knows only from emails might put a damper on her plans for a promotion, Elle re-doubles her efforts at work, putting her Christmas party plans at risk. Despite her best effort to take control of the work situation, Elle’s boss asks her to work with Max and when they finally meet, she realizes he’s also the attractive stranger who started showing up at her local coffee house a few days ago.
We had the opportunity to catch up with Catherine who has appeared in over a dozen roles for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries – where she is most familiar for playing Terry Sternholz in the Aurora Teagarden Mystery movies.
Kat: Was there anything challenging about bringing this script to life?
Catherine: Not at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Like my other experiences with Hallmark, working on Jingle Around the Clock had me working with a very, very supportive cast and crew all the way through. While many Christmas movies are shot in the summer, we were filming a few weeks after Canadian Thanksgiving and people were already starting to get into the holiday spirit. This made working on it very fun. Brooke Nevin was a really amazing collaborator and set a festive yet professional tone on set. I think that helped to make our scenes together particularly fun.
Kat: What do you hope the fans will take with them from the story?
Catherine: I hope that viewers will relate to the fact that you can face life’s challenges with the support of the people who love you. I think they will also understand that balance is important, especially at this time of the year. Too often, we feel the obligations of the season and can get overwhelmed by them. It is important to focus on what is really important and that to ask for help when we need it can often make things both easier and more enjoyable.
Kat: Do you have a favorite holiday treat?
Catherine: I love Christmas cake! To be more specific, one that comes from a little bakery in Corsicana, Texas – The Collins Street Bakery. When I was a kid, my uncle used to send our family one every Christmas and now my brother and his wife have continued the tradition. The holidays aren’t complete without one and it is one of the things I look forward to every year. I’ll be sharing my holiday happenings on Instagram at @TheCatLH!
Kat: What would be your ideal Christmas party?
Catherine: For me, it would be snow outside, a fireplace, family and friends inside, good food, Christmas carols, and little kids trying to stay awake because everything is twinkling and exciting. Those are the elements of a wonderful Christmas party, especially if everyone is staying together for a few days. From there, the celebration really takes hold as everyone has time to relax and unwind.
Kat: Which gift did you want as a child but never got?
Catherine: An Easy-Bake oven. I was blessed with an abundance of gifts at Christmas time and am very grateful for many wonderful treats growing up but the Easy-Bake oven was one of a kind and mythical in stature. My friends and I all wanted them and none of us ever got one!
