This Is Actress Masey McLain’s Favorite Type of Movie
By Movieguide® Contributor
Masey McLain loves a story with a powerful message, so it’s no wonder she was drawn to such movies as I’M NOT ASHAMED and the role of Ashley Baxter in Movieguide®’s Teddy Bear Award®-nominated THE BAXTERS.
“[M]y hope for projects is just whatever it looks like to see just redemption in any form, like just see redemption, and sometimes it’s more up front, and then sometimes it’s more like kind of woven into the story,” McLain told Kaelii Williams on the red carpet at the 32nd Movieguide® Gala Awards.
“[T]hose are my favorite kind of projects to be a part of and watch,” she went on to say. “So I think I’m excited for all these filmmakers and what everybody’s doing because it’s making a difference.”
The redemptive story arc is one feature that drew her to the role of Ashley once she learned that a TV adaptation of the Karen Kingsbury book series was in the works.
READ MORE: THE BAXTERS: EPISODES 1.1-1.8
“Ashley, she has a hard journey, and people see themselves in her…and they see her wrestling with God, and I think that’s something we can all relate to,” the Georgia native said.
“She really wrestles with God, and it makes her story of redemption so much more beautiful because she gets in the fight, you know, she doesn’t give up,”she added. “I think people can see themselves in Ashley, and that’s my favorite part. That’s amazing.”
THE BAXTERS was not the only Movieguide® Teddy Bear Award®-nominated project that McLain was involved in this last year. She and Taylor Kalupa co-wrote A CHRISTMAS LESS TRAVELED about an owner of a struggling diner Desi (Candace Cameron Bure) who discovers her late dad’s cassette addressed to her that sends her on a road trip where she discovers more about his life.
READ MORE: A CHRISTMAS LESS TRAVELED REVIEW
“We tried to really break the mold of, we love all Christmas movies, but we tried to…do something different,” Kalupa said. “It has a road trip element to it that’s different, and bringing that mystery and heart, and it’s a lot about learning about forgiveness, so it means a lot to us.”
“I think we’ve gotten so many people saying, ‘Hey, I watched this movie and then I called someone that I needed to forgive’” McLain said. “Yeah, and it’s a mom or a family member, and they’re like, ‘My whole life has changed.’”
The writing duo says they have future projects with Great American Family, as well as a project with Roma Downey that they are producing. They couldn’t divulge too many details yet, but Kalupa said the ultimate plan is to keep making uplifting content.
“We really have a lot that we’re excited about that have this redemptive theme throughout it, and that’s what we want to do with our careers,” Kalupa revealed.
McLain gave a shoutout to the Movieguide® Gala event on social media, posting,“Thank you, Movieguide, for having me — it was such an honor to be in the room with so many insanely talented creatives. None of us make these projects for awards, but when they are recognized, it’s the best celebration!!”
The Movieguide® Awards will air March 6 on the Great American Family Network.
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