With a career spanning over two decades, native North Carolinian actress Jill Wagner has worked within virtually every genre in the TV and film industry. She’s best known for the 20 feature films she’s appeared in for Hallmark and Great American Family. She’s also one of the main characters in the gritty Paramount+ spy series “Special Ops: Lioness,” written and directed by Taylor Sheridan (“Yellowstone").
Michael Clark: For those unaware, tell our audience about the new film, “Christmas on the Farm with Jill Wagner and Family.”
Jill Wagner: It’s probably the most personal project I’ve ever done. We’re bringing everyone to the most special place in the world to me—my farm, my home. You’ll be meeting the most important people in my life: my children, my husband, my parents, and my brother. We’re trying to show you how we experience Christmas and to remind everyone of the simple things that make this time of year so special. It’s about my faith, friends, family, and giving, and, of course, good food.
Clark: This isn’t your first rodeo as far as Christmas movies are concerned. What distinguishes this movie from the ones you’ve done previously?
Wagner: The other movies were scripted live-action, and this one is a documentary—my reality. I’m one of the producers but wanted to make sure it didn’t look too “produced.”
Clark: The second season of “Special Ops: Lioness” just ended. Will there be a third and will your character return?
Wagner: I certainly hope so. I haven’t heard anything yet. I hope Bobby [Wagner’s character] comes back and really hope she doesn’t have an eye patch. You never know with Taylor [show runner Taylor Sheridan]. He can make you fall in love with a character and all of a sudden … they’re gone.
Jill Wagner stars in "Lioness." MovieStillsDB
Clark: I haven’t had a chance yet to see the last episode. Does it conclude open-ended?
Wagner: I definitely think it does. With a show like this, there really is never “an ending.” For anyone who thinks our freedom is free, that there are not people behind the curtains making decisions 24/7, and others dying for our freedom, they’re sadly mistaken. There are a million different stories that Taylor could write about. All you need to do is look at the news and have an active imagination to understand what it all means.
Clark: What are the some of the differences between Taylor and other show runners you’ve worked with?
Wagner: He is an absolute force. He knows without a doubt exactly what he wants and surrounds himself with a team who knows how to make that happen. He’s proven himself and writes in a way that, to me, is so raw, and I’m quite drawn to that. Neither he nor I wanted this to be a show about “Barbies with guns” or portray the characters as superheroes. I’ve been around women in the military, my husband was in the military, and Taylor knows quite a few military people as well, and that’s the main reason why I think the show hits home.
Clark: You played Krista Starr in [the TV reboot] of “Blade.” That doesn’t seem to be a role you would gravitate to. What drew you to the project?
Wagner: That’s so weird. I was just talking to someone about this and said I wish the show would come back. It was such an interesting time in my life and was the first time I had a lead in a TV show. I was so green and, when I look on it now I say to myself, “You were such a baby.”
Clark: You’ve done comedy, drama, talk, action, and game show formats. That’s not easy to do with conviction. How do you pull it off?
Wagner: I think one of my fears when I first got into this industry was being typecast, pigeonholed, or put in a box. I do what attracts me, what’s fun. I’ve been very lucky regarding the things I’ve been able to do and do what I love.
Clark: This is your third movie for Great American Family’s Great American Christmas (GAC); prior to that, you did 17 movies for Hallmark. What are some of the differences between the two companies?
Wagner: First of all, I have my grandmother to thank for that. I asked her: “What have I not done that you’d like to see me in” and she quickly replied “a Hallmark movie.” Not long after that I made the first one, “Autumn Dreams.”
At that time, Bill Abbott was running Hallmark, and he’s now running Family’s GAC. There are a lot of similarities between the two companies, and Bill’s thumbprint is on each of the movies I’ve done for Hallmark and GAC. I’m loyal to Bill. He’s been great to me and my family. He gave me job when I really needed one, and, with this movie, he’s allowed me to be a producer as well, something I greatly appreciate.
Jill Wagner, in Hollywood, Calif. on Nov. 10, 2012. Toglenn/CC BY-SA 3.0
Clark: I saved this deepest, hardest-hitting question for second to last. To your knowledge, are you the only woman to appear in a Hallmark movie and be on Maxim magazine’s Hot 100 list?Wagner: [laughs] Oh, gosh, I have no idea. That was so long ago 2014. That’s a good question. I want you to go find the answer.
(Note: After the interview, I did research it, and Wagner is indeed the only woman to appear in both.)
Clark: When does “Christmas on the Farm with Jill Wagner and Family” open, and where can our readers view it?
Wagner: Monday, Dec. 23 on the Great American Family channel.
"Christmas on the Farm With Jill Wagner and Family" premieres Dec. 23, on the Great American Family channel.
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