Thomas Cadrot on His Role as “Tyler” in Lifetime’s Merry Liddle Christmas Baby
I’m sure I’m not the only one excited to find out It’s A Wonderful Lifetime’s Merry Liddle Christmas was renewed for the 3rd time! This round, the Liddles (starring Kelly Rowland as “Jacquie Liddle” and Thomas Cadrot as “Tyler”) return to the screen in Merry Liddle Christmas Baby! Yup, issa baby comin’! So before the film premieres, I got a chance to speak with the talented Thomas Cadrot about his lead role and gain some insight!
Thomas says this time fans will get a really well-rounded storyline where each family’s story is told in a way that’s more personalized and family-focused as opposed to how the story was more centered around Jacquie’s character before. One thing that I absolutely admire about Thomas and Kelly is just how organic and natural their relationship comes across on camera. When asked about his relationship with Kelly on and off camera and what that’s like, Thomas shares how he’s learned so much from being around Kelly both professionally and personally which helps build the kind of chemistry necessary to portray such a role. He says that Kelly was very intentional about showing what a black family looks like in this type of holiday setting. Merry Liddle Christmas Baby is a film that takes you through a layer of emotions in anticipation of the new arrival and also one that outlines the trials of life when things don’t always go as planned. However, we will see that things seemingly work out for the best in the end.
MLCB was filmed during the summer in Vancouver, CA over a period of 19 days and Thomas commends the production team on how safely they managed things around some of the Covid restrictions. Overall, he says filming was a very smooth process. I asked if “Thor” (his French bulldog) comes with him on set since I’ve seen pics of him on IG having Thor around. He says that he often does bring Thor along and how having pets on set seems to make people very happy. Some of the cast members even take him for walks when need be.
I gotta say this film is absolutely adorable and I’d recommend that people check out the first two to dive deeper into the story as a whole. There are just so many real-life ingredients that Merry Liddle Christmas throws out that will leave you feeling inspired and foster unwavering love for family and for those who we value the most. Merry Liddle Christmas Baby premieres on Lifetime November 27th 8PM EST.
Thomas Cadrot is also working on a reoccurring role in a Dark-Horse Comic adaptation for Netflix called 'Grendel' which will air in 2022.
For more on Merry Liddle Christmas Baby and others on the It’s A Wonderful Lifetime lineup, please visit www.mylifetime.com/movies.
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Dress Like A Gent Speaks to Brooks Darnell on his Role as “Rob” in Lifetime’s Let’s Meet Again on Christmas Eve
Just two days away, Lifetime’s annual “It’s A Wonderful Lifetime” will air a beautiful and romantically charming film called Let’s Meet Again on Christmas Eve. The film premieres on Lifetime December 5th at 8PM ET/PT and is one not to be missed! Today I got a chance to interview the very brilliant Brooks Darnell on his lead role as “Rob” in the film. Brooks plays “Rob” alongside lead actress Kyla Pratt, who plays his college sweetheart, “Corrine”. Brooks tells us about his experience in filming this movie and what that was like.
The film begins with a great narration following these two in their younger college days being in love. An opportunity arises for Rob to go and pursue his passion in Italy as the two agree to meet back up in two years on Christmas Eve to determine if they are really destined for each other. When one shows up and the other is a no-show, it leaves unanswered questions and wild emotions to unravel. 7 years later, when the two ironically bump into each other while working a Christmas wedding project for a mutual client, the real adventure begins! Brooks says that shooting this film out of sequence due to the script’s time delay was interesting and somewhat daunting. The part of having to play a younger college-age Rob and then Rob 7 years later, was an exercise in itself; but not that big of a stretch.
In reference to working with Kyla, Brooks says that they actually met for the first time at the airport on the way to do this film and got a chance to really vibe during their layover. He says, the time they got to get to know one another in preparation for the movie was absolutely essential and helped to make things organic during filming. I shared with him how the film as a whole is surprisingly not one of those cheesy holiday films that you have to force yourself to get through. Au contraire, this movie and the chemistry on screen that you sense between Kyla and Brooks was absolutely impeccable. Frankly speaking, this particular film had me in my feelings - the way the characters displayed their unwavering love and willingness to fight for one another was pretty darn moving!
When asked how Brooks traditionally celebrates Christmas, he says that Christmas for him starts right after Thanksgiving. Living in L.A., although snow is rare during Christmas time, it’s never stopped Brooks whatsoever from getting in the Christmas spirit! Every other year, he puts up a large Christmas tree with a different theme and refined decorations. When not having to work, he loves to travel to a different place each year and shop up until the last minute. Brooks tells us that there is no greater joy than being able to give to someone else. In fact, he typically volunteers his time once or twice a year with L.A. Mission for this purpose.
I also asked Brooks if there was anything in particular that resonates with him about playing this role in the film. He says, “Yes, you never know where life will take you… And if you stay true to your heart, you never know where it will lead you.” In his own life, he’s learned the importance of following his heart and seen how staying true to that has opened up grand opportunities that may have been missed otherwise. We see in this film, a theme of old love being rekindled as one couple renews their wedding vows paralleled by new love (Corrine & Rob) also being rekindled all with the love magic that Christmas brings! I believe that this is the type of film that will inspire viewers to love unconditionally, be open to being loved and ultimately, to follow your heart even when it seems unconventional.
For more on this film and other films on the It’s A Wonderful Lifetime lineup, please visit, https://www.mylifetime.com/christmas-movies.
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Interview with Thomas Cadrot on It's A Wonderful Lifetime's Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Actor Thomas Cadrot on his role as “Tyler” in Lifetime’s Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding. Premiering November 28th 8/7C, Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding is Lifetime’s first-ever holiday sequel to its original debut, Merry Liddle Christmas. The premise, “Tyler” (played by Thomas Cadrot) along with “Jacquie Liddle” (Kelly Rowland), are planning their dream destination wedding when things quickly go left when Jacquie’s family gets too involved and her invasive wedding planner abruptly quits in protest. The sudden change of plans forces this beautiful couple to have to improvise gracefully while also testing their commitment to one another.
When asking Thomas what his experience was like playing this role and what things we could look forward to in the sequel, Thomas shares that he was absolutely ecstatic about doing a part two to the film and gives kudos to Kelly Rowland for being a great partner to work with in the process. Thomas shares that this sequel, he believes will top the original as there are even more comedic moments and allowed more of the characters to be seen in depth. Along with new characters that join the cast this time around, Thomas says that we will get an opportunity to see more closely in to some of their pasts which adds more layers to the storyline. He also goes on to say that his role as Tyler was a very easy one to get into! Thomas says that the characters intentions and manner of fathering is very close to his own — Although not a father yet in real life, he shares how closely connected he is to his own niece and nephew.
The chemistry between these two characters along with the collaboration of all the remain cast members is one that absolutely stands out to me as a first time viewer. Seeing the interaction of this family gives the impression that their family is my family. It is filmed in such a manner that invites us all to the wedding retreat and builds anticipation for the big day! Thomas shares that Kelly was very intentional about that type of feeling coming across on camera and was more important than the need to follow the script by the letter. Additionally, I got a chance to chat with Thomas about why he feels that this time of TV programming is so important right now amidst the pandemic…
He shares that even if it’s for an hour or so, people need an opportunity to escape from what’s happening and rediscover hope. We talked about how it’s really never too early to broadcast Christmas films as we’ve all witnessed 2020 “Zoom” by without our permission. “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime”, he says, “hits the spot!” Another very cool thing I learned about Thomas Cadrot is that he is French. Currently living in Vancouver, Canada, Thomas traditionally goes home to France for like a month to reboot and bring in the holiday with his family like a big kid. With all of the restrictions due to Covid and the fact that France is currently on a hard lockdown, he is unsure whether or not that will be possible.
Along with Merry Liddle Christmas, Thomas Cadrot plays a role in several episodes of Netflix’s upcoming Firefly Lane (based on the novel by Kristin Hannah) starring Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke. In addition, he has been keeping busy shooting a TV show called “Debris” which will air on NBC in 2021, as well as doing some motion capture work for an upcoming project.
For more information on Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding and the 2020 It’s a Wonderful Life Lineup, please visit https://www.mylifetime.com/christmas-movies. Thomas Cadrot’s IMDB is www.imbd.me/thomascadrot.
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