Hallmark Channel brings Karen Kingsbury’s beloved book, The Bridge to life just in time for the holidays. The beautiful story is set in a charming bookstore that serves as much more than a place to buy the latest best-seller. Its proprietors Donna and Charlie (Faith Ford and Ted McGinley) created the store as a place where its patrons can find a sense of community and count themselves members of an extended family.
“It really focuses a lot on community and people all supporting each other through the tough times in life that we sometimes find ourselves in,” says actor Wyatt Nash, who plays one of the shop patrons, and is a special part of The Bridge’s community. He adds that the story “Is really just about supporting and loving each other.” Nash and Katie Findlay play two young college students who spend their study hours dreaming about their future and sharing a special bond with everyone they meet.
Nash and I chatted about the role and the unbelievable connection he found to his character.
Channel Guide: Wyatt, tell us a little about your character, Ryan.
Wyatt Nash: Ryan grew up in Franklin, TN, and is a big friend of The Bridge bookstore, and as he goes into college his freshman year he’s sort of trying to decide which path to take, whether he wants to play it safe, or if he wants to pursue his true passion, music. In his freshman year, one of the first days, he meets a girl named Molly Allen, and kind of turns his life upside down a little bit. Together they both just sort of try to find their way and help each other decide which path they truly want to go on, and The Bridge is sort of a center stage for their relationship.
CG: This is the second time you’ve brought a famous literary character to life (Nash played Christopher Dollanganger in the 2014 TV film, Petals on the Wind, a sequel to Flowers in the Attic.) Tell us about giving a face to someone who comes from a beloved book…
WN: I read the book in about two days, before I even read the script, and I definitely empathized with Ryan’s plight, and his life, and the character of who he is. I felt a strong connection to him, and a lot of similarities to myself, so I was just really excited to bring a lot of myself to the character.
CG: You mention that you felt connected to Ryan, how so?
WN: Well, he’s from Franklin, Tennessee, and I’m from about ten minutes north of Franklin, so I grew up in the same area, which was pretty ironic to me. My jaw dropped when I started reading the book and I read that. He’s really torn between, like I said, playing it safe — pursuing a different type of type of degree — and supporting those around him, or to pursue music, which is his true passion.
I found my self in a very similar situation in college; I had to decide whether I wanted to continue down the pathway to medical school, or if I wanted to become an actor. Ultimately, I’m an actor, but it’s not an easy decision to figure out what direction you want to go sometimes. You don’t want to let people down in your life, but you also want to be true to yourself. I definitely strongly felt that tension.
Photographer: Duane Prentice
CG: You mentioned Nashville. Karen Kingsbury lives in Nashville too. Is that a world that you two could talk about? Did having a location as a touchstone for the character, and knowing that that’s where Karen’s heart is, make it easier to know your character?
WN: Oh, definitely. There were several times in the script where Ryan would be talking about something from his past, be it a festival or a history of the area, and I remember, as a kid, going to these festivals and going on field trips, learning about the history of Franklin and of Nashville. It was definitely a touchstone.
I was able to talk with Karen a lot. She was on set for a couple of weeks, and I spoke with her beforehand, as well. She continued to encourage me to keep going down the path that I was on, because to her, she said, it was just kind of spot-on, and to keep doing what I’m doing. She was really great.
Photographer: Duane Prentice
CG: Tell me about working with Kate, who plays Molly. How were you able to build that friendship that’s so paramount to the roles?
WN: That was kind of nerve wracking, because I hadn’t met her. I met her right before we filmed the first scene, which, ironically, was the first time that we met on camera … I was really nervous, because I didn’t know how she was, or anything like that, but as soon as we starting taking to each other — and just kind of joking and laughing and being absolutely ridiculous — I wasn’t worried about that anymore. She’s a wonderful actress and I learned a lot from her, but she’s a great person, too, and we got along really, really well.
CG: Did you have that same kind of fun chemistry with Ted and Faith?
WN: Yes, for sure. Ted McGinley makes me laugh like no other person I’ve met. He is always joking around and always playing games, and is just so much fun to be around on-set. He just brings a great energy, as well as Faith. They’re just both so professional and so seasoned, and know exactly what they’re doing, and so they were so much fun to be around on-set, for sure.
CG: Having read the books, did you think that Ted and Faith were the perfect casting choice for the roles?
WN: Yeah, I think they were perfect. I think Ted fully embodies Charlie and Faith is definitely Donna, in my mind. They did a great job with what they brought to both the characters, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the final cut. It’s so much fun to watch on-screen, and they have great chemistry themselves.
Photographer: Duane Prentice
CG: Did you all become an on-set family? In the book and film, The Bridge becomes kind of a home away from home for a lot of people. Did you find yourselves falling into that family?
WN: Yeah, in a way. We were away from L.A. — we filmed up in Canada — and you hang out with the people that you know, and the only people you know are the people you work with. I got to spend a lot of time with both Ted and Faith outside of filming and especially Katie. We all definitely enjoyed getting along together up there. Yeah, I think we had a real strong connection between the four of us.
CG: Hallmark is calling this The Bridge, Part One. Is there going to be a part two, is the story left unfinished?
WN: Yes. Yes, it is, indeed. They took Karen’s book, The Bridge, and split it into two parts. There’s so much juicy story in her book, it’s so dense, there’s so much to tell, that they thought it would be better if we split it into two pieces, instead of brushing over and rushing through it. I think they made the right call. We actually filmed both parts back-to-back, and this year, you’re only going to be seeing the first half of the book. I believe the second half will air sometime next year around the same time.
CG: That’s incredible; so next year we’ll have another movie to look forward to?
WN: Yes. It’ll be The Bridge, Part Two — basically the second half of the book.
Karen Kingsbury’s The Bridge > Hallmark Channel > Sunday, Dec. 6 at 8pm ET/7pm CT
All movie images Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Duane Prentice
I was so disappointed to find out we are going to have to wait a year to see the second part of The Bridge. I can’t believe this. I have always watched all of your Christmas movies.
Please reconsider your decision.
Thank you
Judy C Justis Burton.
I agree. It wasn’t nice of you at all to make a “to-be-continued” movie and set the showing of the second half a year later. I’m more than disappointed. I must say that I’m disgusted that you would do it that way!
Since you actually filmed both halves already, You could have shown the second half a week later, but a year?!! I see no reason for it. None whatsoever. If I had known, I would have waited a year for the 1st half too.
My guess is this is a ploy to get the viewers to buy the book. Could this be the real reason?
Sadly, I must add my name to the list of those disappointed in the 12 month hold on part 2. You could’ve easily shown both parts this year and had a hit a million times over. As it stands now, why bother even showing it next year? Why not just wait seven years? Maybe someone will tune in.
I love the Hallmark Movies and have been very satisfied until now… I can’t believe that Part 2 of the Bridge will air next year… Never have I seen this happen on the Hallmark Channel(s). I was shocked and very disappointed. This was a horrible decision on Hallmark’s part especially since part 2 has already been filmed. Read all the comments listed – you must realize that this was a mistake… Make a change and air Part 2 this month.
I ‘m truly disappointed. Never ever again. You lost another viewer. Are you FREAKING CRAZY.
A YEAR.
One of the worst Hallmark movies I have ever suffered through. As far as making the unbelievably dumb decision to air part 2 next Christmas: it wouldn’t matter to me. I won’t waste my time watching part 2 no matter when it’s aired.
I have never heard of showing Part I one year and Part II the next. Ridiculous! Wish I had known before I watched it. I wouldn’t have wasted my time. That being said, it was a good show that has now been ruined.
Dear Hallmark,
Thanks for playing the part of the Grinch this Christmas. Who decided that waiting a year for a sequel was a good idea? I usually love your movies, especially at this time of year. However, the channel has been changed, after that ridiculous “to be continued.” Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. It won’t happen again to me anyways.
Very disappointed….would not have watched part 1 if I had known the other part would not be shown until NEXT YEAR. What a crock….Hallmark used to be a classic movie…what happened?
I was extremely disappointed that we have to wait an entire year…who ever heard of such a ridiculous thing. Hallmark has always been a classic program…not anymore. Someone missed the boat….sorry, but you lost a lot of viewers. Maybe you should reconsider and show part 2 before this Christmas and reshow it again next year, both part 1 and 2.
I feel taken advantage of. A 12 month delay is stupid.
I usually enjoy Hallmark movies, think they are the best Christmas movies being produced. But, if I had known this movie did not have an ending, I would not have watched.
Shame on you for deceiving your viewers.
Why is there no information on part 2? I heard it will be shown next Christmas? Can’t believe someone would make this type of decision. Such a poor choice and not thinking about the viewers. My elderly mother watched this movie and keeps asking me to find part 2. All I can say is “Sorry Mom”.
It is really a low down dirty trick to present a story on Hallmark with NO ENDING! Really you wished you hadn’t watch the movie. This is ridiculous I wish this is all that I had in my life to be upset over read some of the comments( Well I won’the trust watching any of your movies again) love this one(Shame on you Hallmark! Shame on the actors/actresses for not letting fans know of this deception!) Who Lied???? (Big Mistake, Lost trust.I think I will ban the Hallmark Channel from my tv for a while because of this. Ok I was a little disappointed, but that is as far as it goes. Attacking the actors, the writer and the Hallmark channel is not fair , we do not know why so why judge? I love the movie and will wait till next Christmas to see part 2. Come on guys we could be going through alot worse things, like death, cancer, the lost of a relationship or how would you want to be the families in San Bernardino ! Enough said make your calendars for next December, love your love ones and be thankful for all you have. Merry Christmas !!!!
I am hoping it’s a typo that part 2 is aired December of 2016!
If this is true what was the rationale for doing so?
Lucy
I do hope u can change the date and show it earlier. A year is a long time. Thanks. “Merry Christmas”.
I can’t believe we have to wait a year for part 2 especially since the second part had already been filmed. I love Hallmark movies and am very disappointed with your decision.
If you love this movie you will remember and tune in for the second part! Am looking forward to it ,even if a year later!
Another VERY disappointed viewer. You know as we get older we do forget thing’s, I may not remember the first half of this who next year OR remember to watch the second half OR I may be dead. I think this decision is extremely inconsiderate. Had I know you were going to do this I would not have watched.
I can’t believe you would make that comment “If you love the movie you will remember to tune in “, seriously, remember a year later? I am lucky IF I remember my monthly appointments.
Mr. Nash and Hallmark,
It is really a low down dirty trick to present a story on Hallmark with NO ENDING, and then tell people after the fact that is to be continued. You can be sure that I will never watch any movie on hallmark or read any book written by NASH in the future, especially Part 2 of this slow and boring yawn of a story. My wife and I discussed stopping it and erasing it from our DVR twice prior to the ending. I now wish we had. You can be very sure that we will not be watching part 2. And if Hallmark ever presents a story with “to be continued” at the end again without warning us in advance that it is a two parter with a year between the parts, I will block your channel from my television. This is definitely not the enjoyable kind of viewing I have come to expect from you.
Very Dissappointed
I agree with this person’s reply pretty crappy when you have to wait a YEAR for the ending, I was shocked when they said that at the end, the chances of me catching it a year from now are slim to zero, not a good ploy Hallmark !
Shocked loved the movie but very annoyed have to wait for second half for a year. Get real people
I do not read books and by next year may not remember the name of the show. No big deal. Just another hoax. Good luck