Marcus Rosner – Appetite For Love

By starrymag | February 6, 2016

By: Ruth Hill

 

If you are a fan of Hallmark’s “When Calls the Heart” or if you have seen a couple recent Hallmark films in which a “snobby, rich guy” never seems to win the heart of his presumed intended, you may be quite familiar with masterful young actor Marcus Rosner. Though he seems to be typecast as the “bad guy,” or the “guy who never gets the girl,” there is no denying that this dashing and delightfully gifted actor is rising quickly in the hearts and minds of loyal Hallmark aficionados. Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Marcus about “most things Hallmark” as well as his upcoming film Appetite For Love.

THIRSTY FOR ADVENTURE

What inspired you to become an actor?

In high school, I was the typical jock–I never took a drama class (though I now wish I had). But when I graduated, I took a trip with my mother to New York.  While there I noticed a film academy. And from there, I just developed this passion for acting and film. When I returned to Canada, I looked up the nearest film school,and it happened to be in Vancouver. I have always been fascinated with human behavior and acting has become my creative outlet for this curiosity.

HALLMARK TIDBITS

What has been your experience with the “Hearties” (fans of “When Calls the Heart”)?

I honestly have never seen a group of fans like these fans. I was recently invited to the Hearties Convention and I had no idea what to expect. After all, my character was such a heel on the show so I didn’t expect the overwhelming love and support I received. I went in with an open mind, but these fans were even kinder than I expected. They are so eager to support your work even when you move on from the show.

Do you realize that the Hearties sent more questions for you than Andrew Walker? He has plenty of fans, but the fan response was even more so for you.

Oh, so I guess I have bragging rights then, right? [laughs] Actually, no I had no idea I had that many fans.

One question that came up regarding the dance sequence in “When Calls the Heart.” Was it challenging to learn?

Before we shot that scene, I had never had any dance lessons and I had never worked with Erin [Krakow]. I was somewhat nervous because of my lack of dance experience, but there was such great chemistry among the entire cast that, in the end, it all fell into place. And really, it wasn’t a complicated dance.

Does it bother you that your Hallmark characters never get the girl?

I often get asked this question. Well, the way I see it, people like Andrew Walker have earned the right to get the girl. He’s been in this business a lot longer than I. I’ve only been acting about four or five years and I hope one day to earn that right to play that role who does get the girl. But really, I’m just happy to be employed. I have no negative feelings about it. And I also know that since I’m a Canadian, it’s a given that Americans usually have more experience and the lead will generally go to them. As far as Hallmark goes, however, they have just been wonderful to me.

MAIN DISH HELPINGS

What can you tell us about your role in the upcoming film An Appetite for Love?

Something that truly makes this film different is the lack of “star power” in the film. They didn’t add in a person like Candace Cameron Bure or someone with name recognition to draw in the viewers. But then again, Taylor Cole and Andrew Walker are simply the best actors for their roles.

But what really stands out to me is that the script is well done. Even when I was auditioning, I was very impressed with the script. While the story might be typical, the approach is anything but typical. I would call it a story with many layers.

An underlying theme in the film is that of being environmentally friendly. The hip approach today is that of restaurants serving better foods and using environmentally sound methods.  Fast food places are consistently in competition with the places that serve better quality, fresher foods.  And all too often, those fast food places lose the battle.

Working with Andrew was great. We bonded over football–I am a Dallas Cowboys fan (even though they are not very good).  What I liked about him was that he was never competitive with me in any way. He was a warm and endearing person.

How did your experience in A Christmas Detour compare with An Appetite for Love?

In A Christmas Detour, I got to work with Barbara Niven and I could go on and on about her. She kept saying I was a young Christopher Reeve and I should star in a film about his life. In her sweet and professional way, she continued to say that “the sky’s the limit,” and was always so encouraging.

In Appetite for Love, Ally Mills was just so warm and nice. I never watched her in “The Wonder Years,” but it was so great to have worked with an actress of her caliber.

DESSERT ANTICIPATION

Do you have any upcoming projects that you can mention?

I just shot a pilot for DirectTV called “You Me Her.” It is a comedy and I play a guy who hires a prostitute to treat him badly.  Other than that, I just keep looking for work and sometimes that can be hard. Recently, Chris Pratt posted something on Instagram that went viral for awhile, “Keep applying pressure because it will break before you do.” Excellent advice for everyone, but especially in the acting world.

Is there anyone you have not worked with yet, but would like to one day?

I really don’t think too much about that, but if I had to pick someone it would be the director Paul Thomas Anderson. The films he has directed are some of my favorite films.

COFFEE SIPS

What do you do in your free time?

I never know quite how to answer this question. I love football, the NBA and I’m a big fight fan. Other than that, I like to sit and watch comedies. I live in Vancouver and could easily go whitewater rafting or hiking, but I just don’t take advantage of that like I should.  I know my answer seems kind of boring.

{This was my moment to assure Marcus that he wasn’t boring–he was “normal.” As I told him, so often, people think that all actors live an elevated life that is full of glamour and wealth. But most actors are just like Marcus–they act to pay the bills and they have to continue searching for work in a business where getting jobs is not always an easy thing to do. So at the end of the conversation, we both agreed he was NOT boring.}

In conclusion, I can assure everyone who supports the career of Marcus Rosner has made an intelligent choice. He is as gracious and congenial as you might imagine, but as so many fans have observed, “He does bad so good.” And indeed, he does. I was impressed with his humility and his outlook on life and the business. I heartily look forward to the day (as does he and the rest of his fans) that one of his characters ultimately wins the heart of a lady fair.  But for now, be sure to tune in Saturday night, February 6, to the Hallmark Channel and watch Appetite for Love.

Also, please follow Marcus on twitter: https://twitter.com/themarcusrosner