Just as listening to and writing about country music is my passion, making movies, specifically Christmas movies, is Candace Cameron Bure’s passion.
Before moving to the newly revamped Great American Family (GAF) channel in 2022, Bure made over 25 holiday-themed movies for Hallmark Channel. Now, she continues the trend this year with two more Christmas films for GAF, for which she also serves as Chief Creative Officer.
Bure was one of the first to star in the genre that has become wildly popular in the past 15 years.
She stated, “I absolutely love making these movies. They warm my heart. They bring people so much joy. And that’s what I’ve always been about in my career. I am passionate about making these movies.”
I wanted to know how she finds fresh plotlines when these movies are famous for always having a happy ending regardless of what else happens.
Bure admitted, “There’s a formula we stay within for these Christmas movies. We know that our couple will fall in love by the end of it. There’s going to be a kiss. But what I’m always looking for, particularly with Great American Family movies, is that we’re trying to find that faith thread throughout them, something that is a little bit more meaningful and deeper within the Christmas aspect. That’s what I’m looking for within scripts. But you know, as I mature, I look for scripts that are portraying characters that have matured too.”
Unbelievably, Bure is now 48 years old and no longer takes roles that call for a thirty-something character. Besides acting, Bure is a producer. She produces the movies in which she stars and others where someone else has the lead.
Her movie, “Christmas Under Wraps,” is still the highest-rated holiday movie on the Hallmark Channel. Former Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott dubbed Bure “The Queen of Christmas Movies.”
“I’m proud that people have tuned in to watch my movies, but what I care about most is actually making the movies. I am thrilled people want to tune in and enjoy them,” Bure shared.
And while every holiday movie on GAF is not faith-based, Bure assured me that they are “absolutely leaning into a lot more faith content for the coming years.”
The first movie being released is “A Christmas Less Traveled“(premiering November 16), follows ‘Desi’ (Bure) as she embarks on a road trip to revisit her family’s cherished memories, prompted by a message from her late father. Along the way, she meets ‘Greyson’ (Eric Johnson), who joins her on a journey of unexpected self-discovery.
In the next movie, “Home Sweet Christmas” (premiering December 1), Sophie Marlow (Bure) encounters Sam (Cameron Mathison), her long-lost childhood friend, after returning to the farm of her great uncle, who has recently passed away. The property is for sale, but they discover neither of them is ready to let go just yet.
She also launched the Great American Family’s Christmas Festival in New York City. It will take place from November 22nd to December 29th at UBS Arena. It is a massive immersive experience featuring celebrities, exclusive screenings, photo opportunities, ice skating, festive craft workshops, holiday-themed culinary delights and beverages, and Santa.
Bure explained, “There are other Holiday cons for pictures and autograph signing. You can certainly meet some of us from the channel, but there is so much more than that. There’s going to be outdoor ice skating. You can meet Santa and take pictures. We do a Christmas tree lighting every night, just as if you’re in one of our Christmas movies. It’s an outdoor experience for your whole family and friends.”
Hopefully, the event will be successful, and they will be able to bring the event to other cities, like Nashville, in the future.
From her iconic role as ‘D.J. Tanner’ on Full House to her Emmy-nominated tenure on The View, Candace has stayed close to viewers’ hearts. Now the Chief Creative Officer at Great American Media, she continues to create original content while executive-producing film projects like Unsung Hero.
Bure’s podcast, The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, is entering its 9th season, and she’s a dedicated philanthropist working with Skip1.org, The Salvation Army, and more.
She said of the non-profit Skip1.org, “We build kitchens in schools worldwide, in impoverished countries and here in the US and working with homeless communities too. So what I love about Skip One is that we’re not asking for an extra money donation. We’re asking you to skip something, to sacrifice a little something, and donate that money instead.”
I have to say that the Candace Cameron Bure you see on TV and hear on podcasts is the same one who spoke to me. She is thoughtful, gracious, and intelligent beyond her years. I am glad they let a country music writer from Nashville go outside her box and feature the beloved television and movie actress who has become a part of so many of our lives.
You can follow Bure on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. Learn about her movies on her IMDb.
– – –
Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Photo “Christmas Less Traveled” by Great American Family.
