Q&A: Lacey Chabert bringing Christmas charm to Hallmark Halloween feature

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Just because Hallmark is rolling out its popular “Countdown to Christmas” collection in October, doesn’t mean the network is overlooking this month’s own unique celebration.

Top stars Lacey Chabert and Wes Brown are reuniting for “Haul Out the Halloween.” In the third chapter of the “Haul Out the Holly” film franchise, the persnickety residents of Evergreen Lane are trading in their tinsel and mistletoe for all things creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky. It’s up to HOA President Jared (Brown) and Head of Activities Committee Emily (Chabert) to OK the ooky, and uphold the neighborhood’s well-known decorating standards.

That’s easier said than done when Halloween enthusiasts (and “Halloweentown” stars) Luna (Kimberly J. Brown) and Marvin (Daniel Kountz) descend upon the cul-de-sac with wickedly way-over-the-top lawn displays.

“Haul Out the Halloween” reunites Chabert and Brown with “Haul Out the Holly” castmates Melissa Peterman (Pamela), Stephen Tobolowsky (Ned), Ellen Travolta (Mary Louise) and Eliza Hayes Maher (Jessica). Fans also can look forward to a wedding, as Emily and Jared tie the knot just before the seasonal shenanigans start.

“Haul Out the Halloween” premieres at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, on the Hallmark Channel.

Chabert, a star on screens big (“Mean Girls,” “Lost in Space”) and small (“Party of Five,” “Transformers: Rescue Bots,” “The Wild Thornberrys”), has become the Queen of Hallmark, thanks to successful projects including the “Crossword Mysteries” and “The Wedding Veil” series. She shared more on “Haul Out the Halloween” in this edited Q&A.

Lacey Chabert as writer, illustrator and HOA Head of Activities Committee Emily. (Hallmark Channel photo)

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BTS: As No. 1 on the Hallmark call sheet, I'm sure you get no shortage of interesting pitches. When they brought the idea to you about this interesting HOA, of all things, what was going through your mind at that time?

Lacey Chabert: Oh my gosh! I thought the pitch for this movie sounded absolutely hilarious. And I just instantly fell in love when I read the script. I fell in love with the neighborhood, the relationships of the neighbors.

Really, at the heart of it is people who are united by loving something so much. And in the first movie, we see that that is Christmas. I just wanted to be a part of this neighborhood.

And I have to tell you, filming these two movies – now three movies – was just such a blast. On day one of filming “Haul Out the Holly,” the original one a few years ago, the cast, we just instantly bonded. And it doesn't always happen like that.

I mean, all the Hallmark movies I've done, I've had the blessing of creating real friendships and working with such wonderful people. But there was something about this cast. I remember we were sitting in one of the garages in the cul-de-sacs of one of the homes, and it was Melissa and Wes and Eliza and Ellen and Stephen, and just this incredible cast, and we were laughing and just having the best time.

And truly, the hardest part of this job became not laughing and breaking character when we were on camera. It's such a special group; and I'm just overjoyed that we had the chance to make a third.

WATCH:

There’s a surprise twist for Ned (Stephen Tobolowsky) and Jared (Wes Brown) in the new Hallmark Channel feature “Haul Out the Halloween.” The film premieres at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, on the Hallmark Channel. (Hallmark Channel photo)

Will Evergreen Lane become “EverSCREAM” Lane? Tune in and see. (Hallmark Channel photo)

“Halloweentown” franchise stars Daniel Kountz and Kimberly J. Brown team up again in “Haul Out the Halloween.” (Hallmark Channel photo)

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BTS: A lot of Hallmark movies are standalone. They have set series where they plan to have multiple parts, but I don't know that that was necessarily envisioned for this project.

Lacey Chabert: I really don't think it was part of the original plan. I think we were allowed to do these movies in response to, really, the support of the fans of the movies. So, thank you to everyone that watched and let Hallmark know that you enjoyed the movies, and it makes all the difference.

We make all of these movies for the people that watch. It's my biggest goal in making them is to create something that you're going to enjoy and look forward to sitting in your living room with your family, and turning on the TV to watch. There's so many things people could watch. You’ve so many options. So, the fact that someone chooses to watch anything that I'm in, I just consider it such a privilege.

It was such a beautiful and fun and pleasant surprise that we had to make not only another one, but now a third. And I hope it’s not the end; I hope we have the chance to make a fourth. Who knows.

BTS: Well, certainly you left some room for that in this one.

In terms of the structure of this movie, we don’t oftentimes get to see the wedding first. Tell me about that experience, and how much fans are going to appreciate seeing it.

Lacey Chabert: What I really love is that this movie is a lot of things in one.

Obviously, it's the friendship and camaraderie of all the neighbors of Evergreen Lane. But it's also now Halloween. How are they going to tackle Halloween now that they have these new neighbors who have moved into the lane? And then on top of it, it's also the full-circle moment of this beautiful, romantic relationship, and we get to see Jared and Emily get married right at the very beginning.

I don't think I've ever gotten married in the beginning of a movie. It was fun not to have to wait until the eighth or ninth act. I thought it was handled really well. And you see the love and joy between these neighbors – that they're not just neighbors; they really are family.

BTS: Something I feel like I've noticed with Hallmark movies over the past year, or year and a half, is that they're a little bit sassier. There's a little bit more sort of pop culture awareness. And like with your movie here in particular, they're funnier. Obviously, there's a lot of comfort, and there's a lot of aspiration with these movies. They're not always funny. I'm wondering if you also see a little bit of a tone change. I don't want to say that they're becoming hipper, but they do seem to have these extra layers added into them.

Lacey Chabert: The original “Haul Out the Holly” was definitely the first time I had done a Christmas movie that was a straight comedy, and I was so thankful for the opportunity and Hallmark’s vision; and a great script, and a wonderful director. I have to shout-out Maclain Nelson. He is the leader of the ship, and he has such a vision for it, and cares so much.

And I was really thankful that we were able to tap into the comedy, and especially when you're working with such talented actors. I learned so much from Stephen and Melissa and Ellen and Wes and the entire cast.

The movie makes me laugh out loud – and I know what's coming! So, I was just grateful to be a part of such a joyful film.

I think, now more than ever, we need some laughs and some goodness, and this movie is that.

The “Haul Out” cast: Carrie Morgan, Wes Brown, Peter Jacobson, Laura Wardle, Lacey Chabert, Ellen Travolta and Walter Platz. (Credit: ©2023 Hallmark Media/photographer: Natalie Cass)