Kristin Booth – Signed, Sealed, Delivered: From The Heart

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) Nothing else at the moment. I’m gearing up to shoot something in the Spring. Right after I shoot the next episode of Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m going to reprise my role of Ethel Kennedy in “The Kennedys” miniseries.

Q) Where do we pick up with this chapter of Signed, Sealed, Delivered: From The Heart?

A) Well, it is approximately eight or so months after we last saw the POstables. Things have progressed, as per usual. We pick up just before Valentine’s Day. So, we get to see the POstables getting ready for that in their work environment and their personal lives. Of course, everyone is very eager to see who Shane and Oliver’s (Eric Mabius) valentines will be. We know that Norman (Geoff Gustafson) and Rita (Crystal Lowe) are now valentines so the big question is will it be Shane and Oliver together or separate.

Q) What is it about Shane and Oliver’s relationship that really makes fans root for them?

A) I think they are both very complicated characters in some ways and in the same breath very simple. They are both dealing with past hurts and both dealing with trust issues. And they are both afraid to say what they are really feeling for one reason or another. I can only speak for Shane, but I know in her past whenever she has put herself out there she has ended up being hurt. I think they are both very cautious about this relationship. And I think they both treasure their friendship so much and this relationship so much that it is the whole thing that when you are friends and care about them so much you don’t want to ruin what is already there. There is a lot of fear in the relationship and I also think they are so different yet so similar that it is what brings them together. It’s what attracts them together. It’s the same thing that attracts them together that keeps them apart.

Q) How do you and Eric continue to maintain such great character chemistry?

A) I think it all boils down to Martha Williamson’s casting, to be honest. I think she just chose two actors that really grasp the characters and are able to come together and create that relationship with one another. I think that part of it is Martha’s brilliance and part of it is luck. I think in any of those types of relationships where there is this push-pull and a love-frustration, that’s what makes it so interesting. That’s what makes Shane and Oliver so watchable. You never know what they are going to say next! Is Shane going to push a button that pushes Oliver far away or vice versa? It’s a wonderful game to watch them maneuver around each other emotionally.

Q) What continues to challenge you about portraying Shane?

A) What doesn’t? Honestly, Shane is such a complex character. On the surface, she seems – I would say maybe two dimensional, but then underneath I would say she is ten dimensional. There is so many things going on for Shane all the time that I don’t think she really ever rests. She over analyzes everything. I think that is her techy sort of background…Find the solution. Make it work. There is an answer! The thing that is so great about her is that she is so heartfelt and uses her heart so much yet when it comes to her own relationships or her own love interests she is terrified. I think that is what is so fascinating about her. I continue to get to jump through these emotional hoops with her. She takes one step forward with Oliver and it ends up to three steps back.

Q) Is there a moment in Signed, Sealed, Delivered: From The Heart that you are most looking forward to seeing the fan reaction?

A) I think there are several of them. One of the things that I love about this particular episode “From The Heart’ is our B-story. The letter story. I think it is so wonderfully played and handled by the actors and also the way the director chose to approach it. So, there are some great stories with these new characters (our guest stars), but for the POstables (and particularly for Shane and Oliver) I would have to say that there are several scenes of miscommunication or under-communication. Those scenes are my favorite because those are the ones that are awkward. The audience is in on both stories, but they are not in on each other’s. So, it is a great opportunity for the audience to watch and talk to the screen (which I am guilty of at times). I think there are so many great moments of those between Shane and Oliver that I think fans will enjoy navigating as an audience.

Q) Do you have a favorite Signed, Sealed, Delivered episode or chapter from the series?

A) I have to say (and I’m not just saying it because it is coming up) that this episode “From The Heart” is my favorite thus far. There are just so many great qualities to the actual story. The characters delve into things they haven’t delved into before. We had a wonderful director on this movie and I think she took the script and made it come to life in ways it hasn’t in the past. Therefore, the performances are better and the through-line is better. It’s a really, really great Valentine’s Day, love themed film. People are really going to enjoy it. I think our fans will really enjoy watching it with their respective partner as well because there is something everyone can relate to with both couples.

Q) What do you hope fans take away from watching the movie?

A) Always, always with Signed, Sealed, Delivered I hope that they take away that feeling in the end of happiness and satisfaction knowing that there is good in the world. That matters of the heart have to be dealt with in a different way than anything else. Matters of the heart are delicate and we have to remember to always approach them and treat them that way.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: From the Heart airs Sunday February 21 at 9:00 PM / 8:00c on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.