For years, Holland Roden stole hearts on the hit supernatural drama series Teen Wolf as Lydia Martin. The red-headed actress became a fan-favorite thanks to her character development, her “will-they-won’t-they” relationship with Dylan O’Brien’s character of Stiles and her ultimate loyalty to the pack. These days, she’s shifting away from the darker roles she’s become known for for a more cheery setting—Hallmark. The 38-year-old Texas native is bringing her acting chops to one of Hallmark+’s most anticipated projects, Holidazed. The eight-episode series on the network’s all-new streaming service is the perfect watch if you’re looking to bring some holiday cheer to your home. Here, Roden dishes on all things Hallmark, fandoms and more in this exclusive interview.
Holland Roden talks Hallmark’s mini-series, Holidazed
Hallmark+’s latest endeavor is nothing short of spectacular—with 36 principal cast members that include beloved Hallmark faces, some of Hollywood’s greatest and network newcomers, this story of love is exactly what you need at this time of year. Following six separate families all living on the same cul-de-sac, we watch as each one navigates the stressors that the holiday season tends to bring, and we see how each of their lives come to be intertwined.
Roden brings to life the part of Katie, one of the Manetti-Hanahan kids, who becomes involved with the Camarena family when she begins dating their son, Kevin. The only problem? Katie just so happens to be his sister, Gaby’s, former adolescent nemesis.
“I think the thing with Katie is I knew some of these girls in school that I think maybe put up a wall, and as a result of putting up a wall, they feel a bit catty or cold, or that they have like an alternate agenda,” she told FIRST for Women. “And I think it’s interesting that it’s potentially their own insecurity that creates that wall in between themselves and other people.”
Additionally, she enjoyed finding the right balance when it came to toeing the line between annoying the character of Gaby while remaining likable. “There’s gotta be a reason he [Kevin, played by Bert Cordozo] fell in love with Katie, and so it’s just riding that wave of sincerity, ultimately, that’s maybe doused in insecurity.”
Holland Roden talks Teen Wolf-Hallmark connection
One thing both Teen Wolf and Hallmark have in common is the loyalty of the fans. Roden spent much of her career as an MTV darling attending fan events and conventions, giving viewers a chance to get to know her off-screen—and the passion of that particular group of watchers mimics a lot of what she’s seen since becoming a Hallmark sweetheart. Her first film on the network, Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas, was alongside Hallmark royalty Tyler Hynes—and she got an up-close look at the “Hynies” who love him most.
“Meeting the ‘Hynies’ through Tyler, it’s similar, but different—but I absolutely resonated with it. I was like, ‘Oh wait, this is kind of like Teen Wolf!,’ but that’s also not normal.” She clarified, “The fact that I entered two worlds where lightning strikes twice with your relationship to the people that watch the programming is really special.”
The actress has also felt lucky to grow close to a new demographic—specifically, her mom’s friends. “They all watch Hallmark, so it’s been really fun just to see. I’ve gotten to know my mom’s friends, honestly, so much better than I maybe would have if I wasn’t on Hallmark, so that’s been a really big blessing.” She continued, “It’s cool to see people fangirling in their sixties and seventies. They have such good stories. It’s just fun to be a part of their group in a different way than I normally would have.”
Taking a break from the darker roles
Aside from Teen Wolf, Roden has enjoyed bringing to life characters in more suspenseful, thrilling films, but Hallmark has been a breath of fresh air. “I got to an age where I just want to live a really nice life, and I want to be at a happier place when I go to work, and also when I’m not at work,” she shared.
Though some might consider these happy, lighthearted films to be a walk in the park, Roden is quick to confirm that they require a lot of work within a very short period. However, the people she’s able to do it alongside make it worthwhile. “There’s no egos, and everyone is so kind. That makes a huge difference day to day at work.”
Navigating difficult personalities as is often the case in the film industry is not something the actress has had to confront while working with Hallmark. “That’s the big thing for me, was just going to work with happy people that are really, genuinely grateful, because that’s how I’ve approached the business,” she shared. “I feel like I’ve found like-minded people on Hallmark. I feel like that’s been the biggest blessing for me.”
See Holland Roden in Holidazed, out on Hallmark+ now, and don’t miss new episodes hitting the streaming service on Thursdays.
