New Hallmark Film ‘Christmas in Evergreen’ starring Rukiya Bernard

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Rukiya Bernard Reveals the Biggest Lesson She Learned While Filming Her New Holiday Movie: ‘A Jack of All Trades Is a Master of None’

By Jessica L. Dupree
Edited by Darlene Aderoju

As actress Rukiya Bernard enters the green room for her exclusive interview with Heart & Soul Magazine, she is warmly welcomed with a bright teal reflective ambiance. Her grand entrance is fitting — after all, Bernard loves gem color tones as much as she loves acting. The Van Helsing series regular is the star of the new Hallmark original film Christmas in Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing, which premieres Saturday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. EST on the channel — just in time for the holiday season.

In the film, which follows engaged Michelle (played by Holly Robinson Peete) as her wedding quickly approaches, Bernard plays leading lady Hannah who steps in to help finish the launch of the new Evergreen museum as she questions the future of her own relationship. Bernard’s incomparable portrayal of Hannah, in the fourth installment of the popular Christmas in Evergreen series, is sure to grab the attention of viewers immediately.

For the Hollywood star, the old adage, “A jack of all trades is a master of none,” truly hits home. The Canadian actress tells Heart & Soul Magazine that she had an epiphany about the age-old saying while filming Christmas in Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing. She reveals how it influenced her life as both a mother and businesswoman. “Hannah finds herself really busy because she spreads herself too thin,” Bernard tells Heart & Soul. “She helps a lot of people because she loves being a part of everything in the town, but she eventually realizes that while she helps everyone, she never makes a significant mark in one place because she spreads herself too thin.”

Bernard shares that her character learns an important lesson. “She finally decides to master one thing and it really helps bring the town together beyond what she expected,” says the star who is marking her first-ever lead role. “I am finding that if I spread myself too thin, I’m not able to do everything that I want to in a great way,” says Bernard. “My focus is now on my family and my work as an actress. For me, that’s more than enough and I can be a great mom and put on great TV shows and film projects.”

With a keen understanding of the importance of representation for black actresses, Bernard is excited about her latest role and its positive influence. “I love showing love and compassion onscreen,” the actress tells Heart & Soul.

The starlet, who spends Christmas in a cabin with her family each year, says she is elated to begin a new holiday tradition this year. Passed on from her co-star Holly Robinson Peete, the newly adapted custom is that Bernard will begin sharing a gratitude bowl with her loved ones. “Every family member will have to write down something they’re grateful for, then guess who wrote each gratitude note and talk about it together around dinner,” she explains.

Outside of her fun-filled new role, Bernard has a long list of previous credits. The star has also appeared on HGTV’s The Stagers and Android Employed. Having acted in a wide variety of made-for-television movies, she has proven her strong versatility across all genres. She has a passion for romantic comedies, thrillers and horror films. Bernard’s feature film credits include Wonder, The Cabin in the Woods, Tooth Fairy and The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Be sure to catch Bernard in Christmas in Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. EST on the Hallmark Channel.

Rukiya Bernard Photo by Liz Rosa

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