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Kimberly Sustad. Allister Foster/Hallmark Media
Kimberly Sustad is a Hallmark Channel guru, acting and writing projects for the network — but that doesn’t mean she’s not insecure about her talents.
While writing the script for 2024 Three wise men and a boySustad, 37, exclusively told Us Weekly she felt enormous pressure to perform. (Sustad worked with the star Paul Campbell in 2022 Three wise men and a baby and its continuation.)
“For so long I was worried – talk about not feeling like you’re enough, you know, having imposter syndrome. I’m the one who writes these films,” she admitted during the course us’ visit to Three wise men set in Canada earlier this year. “I kind of fell into it and I hate being thrust into the limelight and Three wise men kind of did it.”
After Three wise men and a baby became one of the network’s biggest holiday hits in 2022, Sustad said, due to impostor syndrome. “I’m like, ‘Oh, no, no, no, I’m not a professional writer,'” she recalls.
Make your own magic! Kimberly Sustad first appeared on the Hallmark Channel in 2012 – and has since become a leading lady and feature writer for the network. Two years after her breakthrough Hallmark role in A Christmas Bride, Sustad landed her first starring role as Marilee White in 2014’s The Nine (…)
The network and fans, however, weren’t buying it. “People are like, ‘You did! Write another one,” explained Sustad. “You’re like, ‘Oh my God, what if I can’t?’ And then everyone will know.”
The actress — who made her Hallmark writing debut in the 2020s Christmas by starlight — he compared the pressure to the work of a musician. “It’s like writing a hit album.” And then they’re like, ‘So where’s the next song?'” she said. “I can’t imagine being that artist.”
Despite her reserve and “fear and panic” at the task of creating a successful Three wise men continuation, said Sustad U.S she thinks their team made a “better” film than the first one. In the first film, the Brenner brothers work together to take care of a baby who fell into a fire station. Below are the siblings — playing Tyler Hines, Andrew Walker and Campbell – have to coordinate a baby, now a little boy’s school holiday play.
In the original, Sustad made a cameo as a doctor. In the sequel, she briefly reprized her role – and broke the fourth wall – which fans were sure to see.
During the sequel, Sustad’s Dr. McLaren attends a children’s play explaining that he is a patron of the arts. “You know, I was a little worried because last year’s show was so good, it’s hard to follow up a hit with another hit, you know what I mean?” Sustad’s character quips, poking fun at the difficult writing process she and Campbell faced another movie. After everyone laughs awkwardly, Stephan from Campbell replies, “Yeah, tell me about it!”
“We had a version of it at one point where (I) was a little bit more of a hindrance in the school, like, principal or something.” And then I just felt like it didn’t serve (the story). It was too distracting,” Sustad said of her episode below. “A wink is what he needs and what he always needs.” So we pulled it back and wrote it differently (and) had her just come in at the end.”
Hallmark Media/Photographer: Bettina Strauss Every year, Hallmark transports viewers to a magical winter wonderland with its Countdown to Christmas movies — but what’s it actually like to make one of the holiday movies? Us Weekly got an exclusive inside look on the set of Three Wise Men and a Boy, which premieres on Saturday, November 23. (…)
As I write Three wise men propelled Sustad to Hallmark superstardom, she was part of the network since 2012. Two years later, she made her first rom-com for Hallmark The Nine Lives of Christmaswhat she said U.S is the most accurate description of her real-life personality.
“Marilee is me,” she said, referring to the doctor she plays in 2014 The Nine Lives of Christmas and in 2021 The Nine Kittens of Christmas. “That was my first introduction to Hallmark, and I was just brought up to it all.”
Sustad revealed that her character’s choice to buy a gallon of ice cream at the grocery store after a hard day still resonates with her. “I didn’t know people weren’t making comedies in those movies at the time, but I was just being me,” she explained. “I bump into things.” I’m stupid. I don’t think I’m enough, all that. (I) want to crawl into a hole and die with her.”
Hallmark Media (4) Hallmark Channel’s 2024 Countdown to Christmas lineup is bigger than ever with 47 all-new original movies spanning all platforms. Beginning Friday, October 18, fans will be treated to holiday movies on the Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Mysteries and the network’s streaming service, Hallmark+. In addition, four miniseries are coming to Hallmark+ (…)
Sustad continued, “If you could do another one or (make) another character like (her), that would be great.” Based on the characters we played as a Miss Congeniality or something like that. I feel like that person.”
Like Sandra BullockGracie Hart entered Miss CongenialitySustad does not like to argue. “I can’t wait to take off all (my) freaking high heels.” I can’t wear a skirt. I’m just not that girl,” she teased.
Although Sustad isn’t ready to reprise her role as Marilee just yet, fans will see her this holiday season in Santa’s Class. The film, which premieres on Saturday, December 14, also features a cameo by Campbell, who plays one of her hopeful Santa Clauses.
U Santa’s ClassSustad plays Santa’s school owner Kate North, who works with instructor Dan (Benjamin Aires) to help Santa Claus named Nick (Trevor Lerner) with amnesia regains his memories while saving Christmas and her school.
As Sustad continued to work for Hallmark, she realized how rewarding acting and writing could be—regardless of the story.
“I can’t decide which one I like better, especially when it’s what you envisioned,” she said U.S. “I feel like that might be rare if you’re writing for people you don’t know and you just hand them over to the group.” I really like the collective making of projects, because we deal with the producers and the director every day and we make things.”
Santa’s Class premiering on Hallmark Channel on Saturday, December 14th at 8:00 PM ET.
