MeeVee Exclusive! Interview with Erin Cottrell of Hallmark Channel's Love's Unending Legacy

Erin Cottrell is no stranger to the inspirational Love Comes Softly book series by Janette Oke. On Saturday night, she returns to reprise her role as Missie LaHaye in Love’s Unending Legacy, the fifth installment of the popular Hallmark Channel Original movie series. Cottrell is also no stranger to TV and film, having recently costarred on Numb3rs, ER, Guiding Light, and the made-for-television special about Senator John McCain, Faith of My Fathers. She’s also shared the silver screen with Reese Witherspoon as the president of the Delta Nu in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.

Our own (once illegally blonde) MeeVee reporter Steve Czarnecki caught up with Erin at her home in Los Angeles to talk about this latest epic-frontier installment returning to the Hallmark Channel.

Love’s Unending Legacy is the third of four films you've done in this series on Hallmark. As you’ve been doing these over the years, what has been the most notable change in the production of these movies?
The most notable change has been the directors. The first two films I was in -- Love's Long Journey and Love's Abiding Joy -- were both written, produced, and directed by Michael Landon Jr. But the last two had new directors, Mark Griffiths and Harvey Frost. They added new perspectives to the series that I think the audience will appreciate.

When you started in the series, your character was in her early 20s. What age is Missie in Love's Unending Legacy, and what changes do they make to you to show any age progression?
In this movie, I'm about 31. There are very few "aging" changes that are made, but it seems that as I get older they tend to make me more glamorous, which I was very happy about. In the fourth film, I have the most beautiful hair styles. It's a long way from the initial silly little braid.

So how much of Erin Cottrell is in Missie LaHaye, and vice versa?
That's a huge question. I think quite a bit of me is in the character. I identify with her compassion toward others and her spitfire tendencies, but if you asked me to quote the Bible the way Missie does, that might take some work. I've truly appreciated playing someone who honestly wants to do the right thing, no matter how hard it may be. That is inspiring.

There seems to be some controversy surrounding this film because in it, Missie's husband Willie has died within the few years between the last movie, Love's Abiding Joy and the newest film. But Willie's still alive in the books these films are based on. Why was this change made for the TV movies, and what kind of feedback are you getting from the fans?
Apparently, Willie and Missie aren't even in the book series when it comes to the fifth book, Love's Unending Legacy. But it's my understanding that the creators of the films wanted to keep the story going with characters that the audience knew, yet be able to have them age appropriately. Everybody loves Willie LaHaye, but I think the creators believed it would have been a stretch to have Logan Bartholomew the actor, who is in his early 20s, play a 40-year-old man with a bunch of 40-year-old actors. It just wouldn't have been believable, or fair to him. So now all of his beloved fans are furious that he's no longer with us in the new film, but what they don't understand is that it was really a blessing to him and frees him up to play more age-appropriate roles. It was fine keeping me around, 'cause let's face it, I'm old! [Laughter]

In Loves Unending Legacy, Missie moves back to Ohio to live with her parents in Anderson's Corner where the books' storyline originates. What kind of town is it?
Anderson's Corner is a sweet little town in rural Ohio that has developed quite nicely since the first two movies. It's a lot like Walnut Grove in Little House on the Prairie. Schoolhouse, general store, blacksmith, your typical 1880s Americana.

Does this film have a lighter or darker tone than the others?
This film has a lighter tone than Loves Abiding Joy, but it still maintains quite a bit of drama. There are some new orphan children introduced that rip at your heart strings, but the pasts they overcome and the triumphs they achieve are incredibly inspiring. To be honest, I think this is my favorite movie yet!

The last film made its way to limited release in movie theaters last year. Will the producers be doing that again with this film?
As far as I know, this film will not be in theaters. But the next one may be.

What was it like seeing yourself on the big screen in this film as opposed to just on TV?
We were all very excited, because it was a complete surprise. But it was a movie made for television, so things that would have been done for film were completely neglected, like frame size and attention to minute details. However, the landscape shots still looked breathtaking, and I was happy to see our DP Brian Shanley's vision translate so well onto the big screen.

These Hallmark series are very well received by the masses in Middle America, yet not so strongly in other places around the country. Why do you think that is?
Yes, these movies have a very strong but very specific demographic with the faith-based community. They are films with strong family values. I don't think you necessarily have to be Christian to enjoy them, but they do echo Christian sentiments. So in Los Angeles and New York City, places I call home, nobody really knows about them. But when I'm with my family in North Carolina, I'm huge! [Laughter]

The Love's series wasn’t your first time donning garb from the Old West -- you were in ABC/Disney’s Little House on the Prairie miniseries a couple of years ago. How enjoyable is it to work in a genre that allows you to act in this time period, plus be outside surrounded by all that nature?
Working in the Western genre for three years now, with Little House and the Love's series, has given me a lot of time to ruminate over the pros and cons of this time period. Honestly, I love it. Getting to wear beautiful dresses and immersing yourself in a time and place you would have never had the opportunity to live in is an experience of a lifetime. However, working out in the elements the way we do can be very taxing on your body. Whether it's blazing sun in Simi Valley or three days on a frozen reservoir in Canada, the price we pay for those beautiful landscape shots can get very steep. But I've learned to churn butter with the best of them, and if I'm ever out of work, I know I can find a job as a hansom cab driver in NYC with all of my horse and buggy experience.

While doing some research on the series, I found a surprising fan base for these movies on YouTube, including a montage of the love scenes between you and Logan Bartholomew set to a Nickelback song. Have you seen that yet?
Yes, I've seen it. Logan and I were very flattered that someone took the time to make it. It's like a little moving photo album for us. Thank you, if you're reading this!

You were on CBS's Numb3rs a few weeks ago, and you just wrapped your shoot for your fourth film in the Love's series, Loves Unfolding Dream, which comes out around Christmas of this year. What future projects do you have lined up? And what do you do in your downtime?
Right now, it's pilot season in LA so I'm very busy with auditions for new TV shows. When I'm not auditioning, I teach for a nonprofit organization called City Hearts. We bring arts classes to kids who are at risk for joining gangs here in LA and in Oxnard. Our intention is to give children the opportunity to see their creative potential -- either through acting, dance, photography, or writing -- and to instill them with the knowledge that they are worthwhile; that they have the opportunity to be more than what their neighborhood or economic background dictates. I've been teaching with them for five years now. It is one of the best things I've ever been a part of.

What TV shows do you enjoy watching?
I hate to admit it, but I love TV! Right now, my boyfriend and I are hooked on Lost, The Office, The Riches -- Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver are brilliant in this new show for F/X -- and a crazy documentary show about crab fishing on the Discovery Channel called The Deadliest Catch. We're weird.

When the Love's series is done, what do you think you’ll take away from the experience?
Knowing that Missie LaHaye is probably finished with the Love's series, I can honestly say that it was one of the best experiences I've ever had on set. The show speaks for itself in merit, the way it touches so many people's hearts and lives. That's made clear to me in the beautiful letters I've received from kind and loving viewers. On a personal level, I have made some of my best friends in working with the same cast and crew for four films. Logan, Samantha [Smith] who plays the new Marty, Dale [Midkiff], Johann [Urb], Brianna [Brown], and Holli [Coleman], just to name a few, have all made the Love's experience something that I will never forget.

 

 

Related Links and Stories: Love’s Unending Legacy More MeeVee Exclusive! Interviews

Comments

[Susan]

She was so good in the other series and I loved her in Little House, I'm sad Logan is gone, but Erin really carries the show, my DVR is set so I can watch this one over and over like I have all the rest. Cant wait for the next one in December

[Cindy]

thought this interview was wonderful!

[Melissa]

I love the Love Comes Softly movies on Hallmark Channel. I am glad that Michael Landon Jr is doing these movies. I love Erin Cottrell in these movies she is such a great actress. I am definetly going to miss Willie in these movies, but still plan to watch.

[lauren]

GREAT ACTING ERIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1:) LOVE THE MOVIES VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[kim]

great interview. i learned a lot about erin, personally and professionally. i always like knowing little insider details, like what she watches on television. but why the apology about loving tv? television revolutionized the world - and provided legitimate careers for countless people. it's ok - in fact sensible! - to love your medium, erin. say it loud, say it proud!

[Francie]

Too many of us,which is obvious from alot of forums on this series,are very disappointed Logan was killed off.I really wish producers would get it in thier heads we watch movies we have come to love,because of the characters.We enjoy them,it makes us happy.The series was changed from the books,they could have at least kept them enjoyable.I bought the fourth dvd as a birthday present,if I had of known Willie was getting killed off,I would have not bought any more of the series.

[tessa]

hi um i love these movies alot but why did you have willie die i started crying

[karla mae]

.....Honestly, I really love this series movie!! first I watched it in hallmark accidentally when I was looking for a good program and luckily I watched it ( Love's long Journey).. I love Logan Bartholomew so much and Erin Cottrell. They are compatible to each other. Well, all i want to say is.. I'm proud of them. They mesmerized me so much and it was a knowledgeable movie to watch.. GOD BLESS!!

[Shelby]

I Love Erin! I do not think it matters what she plays in because she is so beautiful and such a good actress. I think she makes things interesting, because she is a different person.

[jacqueline]

I love these series!!

[herefast123]

http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/dell/y6142.htm dell y6142 battery,
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/dell/inspiron-300m.htm dell inspiron 300m battery,

[herefast123]

http://www.batteryfast.com/acer/travelmate-3240.htm acer travelmate 3240 battery,

[herefast123]

http://www.batteryfast.com/acer/as07b31.htm acer as07b31 battery,

[herefast123]

http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/asus/w1g.htm asus w1g battery,
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/asus/w1v.htm asus w1v battery,
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/asus/w1000.htm asus w1000 battery,
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/asus/w1000n.htm asus w1000n battery,

[herefast123]

http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/hp/hstnn-db17.htm hp hstnn-db17 battery,
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/hp/n6000.htm hp n6000 battery,
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/hp/n6100.htm hp n6100 battery,

[herefast123]

http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/compaq/nc4400.htm compaq nc4400 battery,

[herefast123]

http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/hp/nc4000-battery.php 8.8ah GENUINE HP 381373-001 383510-001 HSTNNIB12 PB991A laptop battery,
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/hp/hstnn-ob53-battery.php laptop battery for HSTNN-OB53 447649-321 B1216TU laptop battery,

[herefast123]

http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/dell/d620.htm dell d620 battery,

[fanoflove]

I absolutely love the "Love Comes Softly" series. Erin Cottrell is a fantastic actress and makes Missie's character come to life. You can feel and see all of Missie's emotions and feelings through Erin's acting. She's an amazing actress and I'm so glad they chose her to play the part of Missie. I, too, was sad to see Willie die. Logan Bartholomew and Erin work so well together.

I wrote an e-mail to Erin thanking her for being in such great family oriented and faith filled movies. I was very happy to get a very nice reply from her that was also very encouraging. It would be great to meet her in person one day.