The Hallmark movie reunites the onscreen couple after almost a decade.
James DentonandTeri Hatcherhave the ultimate Christmas gift forDesperate Housewivesfans.
“I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, the fans are going to love this.
James Denton and Teri Hatcher on ‘Desperate Housewives’.Ron Tom/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
They’re going to love seeing us together.'”
She adds, “It is different characters, and it is a different dynamic.
“You’ve been in their living room for eight years.
James Denton and Teri Hatcher in ‘A Kiss Before Christmas’.Ian McCausland/Crown Media
They see you almost as Jamie and Teri, if not Mike and Susan.
But is this business-focused existence really the life he wants?
Or can he find a new Christmas wish before time runs out?
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What was it like reuniting for the first time on screen sinceDesperate Housewives?
So we get to do them again.
JAMES DENTON:It was really crazy deja vu.
Had you seen much of each other in the almost 10 years since?
HATCHER:We hadn’t seen each other at all.
We texted and emailed a bit, so I felt like we were connected.
DENTON:We had to figure that out.
I don’t think we saw each other after we wrapped.
HATCHER:I don’t think so.
DENTON:Maybe one charity event thing, but it had been years and years.
Even though we’ve been in touch, we hadn’t actually been in the same place.
HATCHER:It was just instant.
It was like putting on my favorite robe.
DENTON:Old, battered, and worn-out.
HATCHER:No, my favorite oldcashmererobe.
I’m getting to be so comfortable.
I don’t remember how to do this.”
But not for you.
And I said, “You’re Teri Hatcher, I think you’ll be fine.”
It had just been a minute since she had been in front of cameras.
Are you fans of that film, and was that energy something you wanted to bring to the table?
HATCHER:I do love that movie.
As you age, you certainly are confronted with re-evaluating your choices.
and learn a lesson through that.
That’s what James’ character gets out of the lesson in this movie.
You have to shoot these far outside the actual holiday season.
Is it hard to get in the spirit when it’s so far from December?
Did you have any tricks to get in the right mindset?
HATCHER:Well, the Christmas decorations on this movie were exponentially just off the charts.
You’re immersed in this amazing set decoration and set design.
It was like 85 degrees.
DENTON:We’re bundled up in coats and scarves, and it was in the 80s.
What was the biggest challenge of making the movie?
They’re ready and you get a few takes and you have to move on.
DENTON:For me
HATCHER:Producing it, I’m sure.
while you’re trying to shoot a scene.
But as an actor, it was not being Mike Delfino.
I felt like I went right back to that quiet, reserved, stoic plumber guy with her.
Because you’re doing most of the talking about school and going back to college.
BesidesA Kiss Before Christmas, do you have a favorite holiday film?
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
HATCHER:I do a lot at Christmas.
The Christmas-town-building is a big, big tradition.
Of course the tree decorating and all the food.
DENTON:We’re transitioning.
My kids are 16 and 18, so my son’s out of high school now.
It’s a different thing when you don’t have the little kids and all that craziness and excitement.
It’s more of a grown-up holiday.
I’m curious how that’s going to be.
It’s like when you leave the family you grew up with.
In a way you’ve had two separate families and lives and traditions.
We’ll see what the new traditions are when the kids are grown up.
