Niall Matter is a longtime Hallmark star, not only in movies but also with a leading role in the “Aurora Teagarden” mystery series. He recently opened up about how he feels about Hallmark’s change in direction, as the network seeks to be more inclusive and diverse.
‘I Like the Direction These Scripts Are Heading,’ He Shared
In an interview with Media Village, Matter spoke about Hallmark’s new direction, as it seeks to make more realistic movies and focus more on inclusivity.
Matter shared that he loved how his movie, “The Secrets of Bella Vista,” took place during National Hispanic Heritage Month.
“I loved that the family in this speaks Spanish (with subtitles),” he told Media Village. “That was real — and a great thing to have.”
He added that he loves the new, diverse scripts he’s seeing.
“As an actor, an artist, and somebody that’s always very happy working with Hallmark as a company, I’m excited about the scripts I see come through,” he said. “They’re evolving, and the brand is something I’m excited to be a part of. I like the direction these scripts are heading in, and it’s been great getting the opportunity to sink my teeth into different types of work within the company.”
Matter Also Loves Movies That Take Him Out of His Comfort Zone
Matter also told Media Village that he loves the different characters he’s portrayed, from Rip Van Winkle in a previous Hallmark movie to the more subtle character in “Bella Vista.”
“When you’ve done as many movies as I have with Hallmark, you do look for scripts that have a bit of a different element to them,” he said. “That’s definitely something The Secrets of Bella Vista has.”
He added, comparing the last two characters he played: “With a character like Rip … I mean every actor wants the freedom to make bold choices and try things that pull you out of your comfort zone. Fortunately, I like to live out of my comfort zone and push myself. But I feel playing the subtler character, and underplaying things, can be just as difficult, if not more.”
Matter’s certainly had an interesting career and life. An accident that almost killed him when he was younger is the reason he’s an actor. It took him nearly six months to learn how to walk, and he couldn’t go back to his old career after the accident. Ultimately, that change propelled him into acting.
Although he’s starred in many Hallmark works, some fans may not recall that one of those was “When Calls the Heart.” He played Shane Cantrell in Season 4, but his character was dropped just before Season 5.
Matter told My Devotional Thoughts in 2017 that he was disappointed he wasn’t brought back on to the show too, adding that he had planned to be on the show for quite some time.
I was signed on to do the show, and I planned on being around for awhile, but for whatever reason, my character was no longer needed on the show. At least at this point. But I will say I’m not opposed to ever returning to the show if they need me. I would love to do it again. I’m not sure why this happens with shows sometimes, but I will say I loved my time on When Calls the Heart.
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I am not comfortable with the wokness direction Hallmark is going toward. I want to be entertained not preached at and not to have stuff shoved into my face that I disagree with.
I totally agree with Lind Petrou.
I, too, am not happy with Hallmark’s clumsy attempt at diversity. It is apparent that it is trying too hard. Most of the scenarios are too in your face and don’t seem natural.
This used to be a family channel with family values displayed–Black, white or other-that was so refreshing and was a safe place for children. We don’t need another LGBTQ program. We can find them if we really want them.
While I am enjoying the route Hallmark has gone. The comment about LBGT is nothing more than ignorance. I am sorry she may not like LBGT in movies. It also shows she also has an issue with them in real life. As a Christian they are children of GOD. And have just as much rights to be who they are and should not be commented on as if they are lesser in value them White people. This country is a country of many faiths, colors and sexual desires. All are equal in GODS world and in the USA. How would you feel of all of a sudden All WHITE and CHRISTIANS were taken off TV and you only saw Spanish, African Americans, and Asians on TV. Would you enjoy that? Then exactly is your comment about LBGT being in movies is any difference? They are part of the world. No one said you had to like them, no one said you had to agree with them. But GOD himself said “Leave Judgement to him”. So who are you to judge another like you just did. I mean no disrespect to you as a woman , or an American. But think about that and accept the World is not all WHITE or CHRISTIAN. So respect others if you wish to be respected. Disrespect them the accept that same disrespect towards yourself as a Consequence.
Everyone Is Born Who They Are Straight Or Lesbian Or Gay Or Bisexual Or Transgender Or Transsexual & Has Been This Way Since Human’s Appeared On Planet Earth. For The Past Many Years The Hallmark Movies Have Been Made For Thier White Aryan Race Audience & Any Minorities Have Been Rare Back Ground. There Is No Place For Hallmark Movies Or Programing To Be The Racist & Bigoted & Sexist & Anti-LGBTQ Of Hatred & Violence Of Round-Up Juice Broadcast Network. The White Aryan Race Religious Cult Uses False Religion Cult Agendas & Never Know Or Accept The Reality The Profit Jesus Was A Black & Gay & Jewish Religious Cult Man. Jesus Who Was Born In June/July When The Stars Were Aligned & Not In December. December & The Christmas Tree Were A Pagan Holiday. That Mary A Jewish Cult Member His Mother Was 12 Or 13 When She Gave Birth To Jesus & Joseph Was Her Lover & 18 Or 20 Years Old & A Carpenter Jewish Cult Member & They Were Never Married. That Jesus Had 12 Boyfriends & They Enjoyed Friday Dinners Of Fish & Bread & Wine & A Good Time Was Had By All. That Jesus Was A Profit All About Love. Jesus Was Never A Carpenter He Was A Plumber. Hundreds Of Years After Jesus Died There Were Many Religious Cults That Created Their Own Controling Doctorine To Maintain Their Cult Religious Agenda. There Was Never A Hell, It Was Created To Scare & Bring Fear To Cult Members To Control Them. We Are Born & We Live & In One Minute Or Less We Leave This Planet Earth We Are All Visitors On. For Those Still Living, Grief Is Grief & It Sux’s, As There Is Never Any Closure. One Black Movie & One Gay Movie Hallmark Has Made In The Last Year. They Were Both Made Terrible. It Appears Hallmark Thought This Would Be A Band-Aid Cover-Up & Continue Making Movies & Programs For The Very White Aryan Race Agenda Viewers. Every Movie Hallmark Makes The Homes Are Very Expensive & Not A Cabin An Aunt Left To Her C.E.O. White Niece. You Can Go Down All The Movies Hallmark Has Ever Made & They Have & Continue To Be All White Actors & Actresses Meet & 3 Or 4 Times Go To Kiss & Get Interrupted & Finally At End Kiss & Boom Movie Over & Next Aryan White Movie Starts. Many Of The Male Actors In HallMark Movies Are Gay In Their Personal Lives As Many Actresses Are Lesbian In Their Personal Lives & They All Are Playing Straight Rolls & The Majority Of The Actors Are All From Canada. The Movies Are Made In Canada Or The Mormon Religious Cult State Of Utah. Any White Actors Who Were Once Very Famous From Hollywood Have Done Rolls In Hallmark Movies, When They Are Much Older & Have Not Acted In Years & Need The Money To Keep On Living & Pay Taxes & Have Appeared, Have No Issue Accepting Money From A White Aryan Race Broadcasting Hallmark Network. This Is The Year Of 2023 & Not 1923 In The United States Of America Where Civil Rights & Equality Are A Given To All Human Lives 24/7.
I don’t like some of the things Hallmark is adding to their movies which is why I will be watching less and will be watching more of GAC Family instead.