IN CONVERSATION WITH BENJAMIN HOLLINGSWORTH
interview by JANA LETONJA
Benjamin Hollingsworth is starring in Netflix’s hit series ‘Virgin River’, which will be returning with its sixth season on 19th December. At the same time, we’ll also be seeing him in Hallmark’s Christmas film ‘Deck the halls on Cherry Lane’. Besides acting, Benjamin has worked with Habitat for Humanity and enjoys being able to help build something as a community for those who need it the most.
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We’ll be seeing you return in the sixth season of ‘Virgin River’, one of Netflix’s most-streamed series. What do you think makes the show resonate so deeply with viewers?
It’s the sense of community. I feel when 2020 hit, we all retracted away from our general sense of what it means to be a part of a community, neighborhood or town. We’ve found ourselves in a time where we might know more about a stranger on Instagram than we do about our own neighbors. ‘Virgin River’ is a reminder of that warm fuzzy feeling of what it’s like to be a part of a place and feel a sense of belonging. It’s a place with no political divide. It’s a place where people feel connected to the land and to each other. I think that’s something our present day society longs for.
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What can the fans expect from the upcoming season, and what’s particularly in store for Brady?
Well, he’s found his way out of the nefarious shadows of the drug ring and is volunteering as a firefighter at the local fire station with Kaia. He’s trying to be a better version of himself. He wants to step up for Lark and Hazel and be the father figure neither of them grew up with. He’s come into a bunch of money from the insurance on the fire at the lumber yard. What he does with it is the main focus of this season’s arch. Of course, we left last season with the cliffhanger that Lark has been conning him, so all of that will come to a head this season.
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The series has already also been renewed for a seventh season. How exciting was receiving this news, and what do you love the most about this series, its cast and crew?
We are now the longest running produced series on Netflix. It’s insane to be a part of a show currently making history on the world’s largest streaming platform. We actually found out at a cast dinner. We were all very excited to continue to bring these characters back to life and further explore their journey. We are all very happy that ‘Virgin River’ continues to flow.
From playing a lead role in ‘The Joneses’ to appearing alongside Liam Neeson in ‘Cold Pursuit’, you’ve worked on a wide variety of projects. How do you decide which roles to take on?
I always look for something new. A character that I haven’t explored or a story that hasn’t been told. That’s what keeps me alive. I love putting myself in someone else’s shoes and seeing the world from a new perspective. I find that I learn a lot about myself in the process and continue to grow as a person when I explore someone new. It’s like making a new friend in a way. A part of each character I play will live inside of me forever.
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You’ve had the opportunity to star in everything from thrillers to family-friendly films. How do you approach preparing for such diverse genres?
I start by figuring out how I can service the script. What does the story need from my character? How can I make it better, or elevate it? That’s something I always ask myself, am I making this story the best version of itself? When it comes to genres, sometimes there can be a bit of a trap in making something one way or another simply because that was how it was done in the past. I look to the story for guidance. For inspiration, I tend to watch movies while filming that have similar story elements or similar style to the project I’m filming at the time.
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You’re a proud Toronto Maple Leafs fan and an active hockey player. How does playing hockey help you unwind from the demands of acting?
I am actually about to leave to go play hockey right now. I find it’s a great way for me to destress and bring myself into the present. It’s impossible to play hockey and not be living fully in the moment. The speed of the game demands it. It might be the best workout on the planet. I tend to burn 1500 calories in an hour playing and no matter how hard I work at the gym, I can’t even come close to that. There is also something about being a part of a team that I love. It mimics that of a film set where everyone has to come together and be at their best in order to be a success.
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As a father of three toddlers, how do you balance a busy acting career with family life?
It ends up balancing me some days. I love chaos. In fact, I sometimes thrive on it. My life tends to be very chaotic, but I’m okay with that. People always tell me that I’m really young to have three kids. I can’t imagine being any older and trying to keep up with three little ones. It takes a lot out of me and even more out of my wife when I leave to go film. I always say when I leave to film a movie that my wife is the one who is really working. I wouldn’t be able to do this if it weren’t for Nila. She is my rock and the glue to our family. Without her everything would come undone rather quickly.
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We’ll also be seeing you in hallmark’s Christmas film ‘Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane’. What can you share with us about this film, and why are Christmas projects so special to you?
As a kid, Christmas was the most magical time of the year. It was something I looked forward to all year. My parents would go all out at Christmas time. I have a lot of core childhood memories that originated over the holiday. So, today I still hold a lot of that inside of me. I believe every year for the last 4 or 5 years I’ve done a Christmas movie. Bringing stories to life over this time of the year may feel cliché to some, but for me, there is something nostalgic to a story set over a Christmas backdrop.
‘Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane’ is the ultimate nostalgic movie. It takes place over three decades, each highlighting a Christmas story that took place on the same street, Cherry Lane. My story is set in the 60s and I play a computer scientist whose quiet Christmas, which was spent working, is interrupted by his neighbor. In the movie, her character had just won a contest which was put on by a local TV station. As the winner, she was chosen to host a variety show in her home. The only problem was the home she submitted wasn’t hers, it was mine.
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After a busy end of the year, what’s coming up next for you? Is there perhaps a type of role or project you haven’t tackled yet but would love to in the future?
I’ve started writing and developing projects. I believe it’s the best way to take ownership of your career. As an actor, in this business you are often at the mercy of those in power. Often, producers and directors will look for people that have played similar roles in the past in order to compliment their story. It’s a safe choice. In order for someone to hire you in a role or genre you’ve never worked in before, you need to convince them. I’m writing the kind of stories I want to be in. I am writing the kind of roles I want to play. It’s a way for me to regain my own creative identity. I am at the beginning of this voyage, but like all voyages, it’s full of excitement about the unknown.
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TEAM CREDITS:
talent BENJAMIN HOLLINGSWORTH
photography RETO STERCHI
styling CAMERON GREENE
grooming DANIELLE HAXTON
studio OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director & interview JANA LETONJA
