Talking With Holiday Movie Favorite Meredith Thomas

‘Tis the season and this edition of Talking With focuses on actress Meredith Thomas, who is back this year streaming in a bunch of Christmas movies. Her new additions this holiday season include the Netflix release “The Merry Gentlemen” and Lifetime’s “Make or Bake Christmas” with Vivica A. Fox.

A few of her classics are back as well, including Peacock’s “A Christmas in Vermont” starring Chevy Chase and “A Christmas in Royal Fashion” with Michael Pare. Great American Family hosts her in “A Royal Christmas Holiday” and catch her appearance in the Christmas horror film “Night of the Missing” over on Amazon Prime.

To learn more, we are Talking With Meredith Thomas:

Give us a quick overview of your roles in the new holiday movies “The Merry Gentlemen” and “Make or Bake Christmas.”

Meredith Thomas: In “The Merry Gentlemen” I play Jodie who a Broadway choreographer of a Rockets style holiday show who fires Ashley (Britt Robertson) which is the catalyst for Ashley going home to find her parents live music venue is about to go under . Of course in true holiday rom-com fashion, just when it looks like it’s all working out Jodie reappears with a very tempting offer.

In “Make or Bake Christmas” I play Sally a single mom with a sick daughter who very much needs her job as a baker at Sweet D’s Sugar Bakers the quaint bakery that Denise, Jakee Harry’s character is the matriarch of. One of the sweetest surprises for me from “Make or Bake Christmas” was that my character got a B storyline and gets to also find love for the holidays.

As an actor, what helps you the most in bringing boss lady Jodie and single mother Sally to life?

Meredith Thomas: For Jodie the challenge was to not make her a villain. Sadly, many women in my business have faced the feeling they would be “aged out” so that part was easy. I decided “Jodie” had been aged out as a dancer and found her way to stay in the industry by becoming a choreographer which “Ashley” becomes when she goes back home, all be it for very different type of holiday show.

I always start with things I have in common with a character and with Sally I didn’t have as many as many things other than our love for baking and karaoke. I am not a mother like Sally, but the mothering part came pretty easy as my daughter “Jackie” played by Scarlett Fronk also played my daughter in Peacock’s “A Nanny to Die For”. Scarlett is so easy to love. She calls me M3 for “Movie Mom Meredith”.

Is shooting a Christmas movie as fun in-between takes and it appears on-screen?

Meredith Thomas: It is but then again, I love what I do and really thrive on the fast-paced nature of movie making plus it’s pretty awesome to get to celebrate Christmas more than once a year.

You’ve appeared in 10 Christmas movies. Does your Alaskan upbringing have something to do with it or why do you think you’ve landed in so many of them?

Meredith Thomas: It’s a fun fact but purely coincidental since only 2 of the 10 have been shot in cold weather, though I do a very special fondness for caribou (reindeer).

What’s your favorite Christmas movie of all time?

Meredith Thomas: That’s a hard one as I always say my favorite one is the current one but this year there are 2 so I will have to go back to the one that started it all for me, “A Christmas in Vermont”. After growing up watching movies with Chevy Chase it was surreal to work with him not to mention the late comedic legend Howard Hessman (WKRP in Cincinnati) and the lovely Abigail Hawk (Blue Bloods) . In addition, my character “Dana” was one of the few Christmas movie charters on Santa’s Nice List.

You’ve also worked many times with Vivica A. Fox. What can you share about that collaboration?

Meredith Thomas: Vivica is a legend her incredible work ethic is only matched by the positive force and generosity she brings to every set I have been on with her.

We hear you’ve started working behind the scenes directing as well. What’s that been like?

Meredith Thomas: Working behind the scenes as a second unit director has been so enlightening. I always knew how important casting is but when you see it from the other side it became even clearer. Television movies work at a very fast pace so choosing an actor who understand that and can learn lines quickly and really deliver when the camera roles is so important. It’s made me a better actor and team player knowing my place as an actor in that process, so I only make my directors jobs easier. I also reaffirmed how much I love to be on set in any capacity. We create our own world and family for the brief time we get to spend together and as a team we get to make movie magic.

What inspires you creatively?

Meredith Thomas: As cliché as it may sound, it’s a combination of what is going on in the world currently and history. As storytellers we get to tell these stories, whether it’s a cozy Christmas movie that reminds us of what is truly meaningful in our lives or a historical drama that reminds us of a past we don’t want to repeat or something that educates us softly with laughter and irony.

Lastly, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

Meredith Thomas: Recently produced and directed an unscripted television pilot called “Spirit Quest with Jack Maxwell’ which has won awards at several at film/television festivals. We currently shopping it to TV and streaming services.

Keep up with Meredith Thomas on Instagram: @meredithactress TikTok: @meredithactress YouTube: @meredithactress