We worked together by choice, so we wanted this to happen.
We attempt to identify the kinds of projects that are going to be good for us to experience together.
You guys work well together as well, no matter if you’re on screen or producing?
She’s always in my trailer, but other than that.
That’s nice because you get to be on location together too.
Are you having a good time up there?
You said you were in Winnipeg.
Pulliam:We’re in Winnipeg.
My little one comes, so it’s a whole family traveling circus whenever we’re working.
James:Ella would not let us leave without her.
That sounds a lot like the movie.
It’s all about family and choosing your family.
How did you guys feel when you first read the script?
How did you know it was the project for you guys to work on together?
It was a pleasure to work with him.
Brad James honed his comedic skills on For Better or Worse
What attracted you to this script?
What made you think that it was a good fit for you guys?
This one in particular …
I love that New Orleans is in the name.
It’s the backdrop.
That’s what we found in this one.
It was really well written; it was very warm.
It was very easy.
She’s a very warm person.
She’s quick, she’s kind very allowing.
It’s so warm and beautiful and funny.
You’re funny in it too you’ve been known as a comedian, actually.
I don’t remember.
I had jokes in that movie?
I don’t know.
A couple … You were in Tyler Perry’s “For Better or Worse” for six years?
Yeah I did at least six seasons on that show.
What lessons did you take away from that set as a comedic actor or an actor otherwise?
We are undoubtedly going to be in front of the TV together watching.
Absolutely, especially because I do work in a lot of different genres.
So yeah, I get a lot of that.
You have to be a really flexible actor to go in and out of all of those roles.
Congrats on your Emmy nomination for “A House Divided.”
What was it like being recognized for that project?
I’m grateful to have played a character that people resonate with.
I’ve also seen you in “Outer Banks.”
The cast on that show are everything that they appear to be on screen.
That’s a fun one.
It’s such a beautiful location.
Does it feel like you’re on vacation when you’re on that kind of set?
I have spent some time around Wilmington.
We shot out there, and it’s beautiful scapes.
I would shoot out to that one and get right back.
It was close enough that I could take a drive on a lot of those occasions.
When they can come, when it’s a few days there, they would come.
But if I’m just doing a couple days here and there, I’ll take that drive.
Did you love filming in New Orleans?
What was it like being on set and off set with the family?
New Orleans is great.
One thing I like to do when I go to New Orleans is hat shopping.
Do we see any of these hats make their way into the movie?
Did you like your character’s wardrobe?
Part of my profession is the dress up, and when you wear something different, you feel different.
When you dress well, you feel like that.
There was some dancing did that make it to the final cut of the film?
There’s some nice dancing.
Did anything come home?
They’re going to make some other appearances.
I hope she gets to keep that dress.
Our guy, Ronnie, is phenomenal at costumes.
Our wardrobe department was really on their p’s and q’s.
They went out of their way to verify that we had a memorable wardrobe.
It’s you and Keshia doing it together, right?
I want to say they’re amazing, but I’m biased because it’s our company.
It’s a production company and you’re doing events where you talk about entertainment?
I saw you were promoting an event where you guys are going to do a writers' workshop.
Actually, I think you’re talking about “The Script.”
We’ve already filmed the first season of it; it’s in editing right now.
It’s pretty interesting to watch.
You get to see artists doing what they do live on air.
That’s also a great platform for writers to get their work workshopped by real actors.
Are you a part of it?
Do you get in on some of the table reads?
There’s a montage.
That’s my favorite part.
There’s a montage toward the middle where we’re trying to win the contest.
We’re trying to win the contest and get the ornaments on the tree.
We got to get into the culture of it.
You got to actually shuck the oysters?
I’m experienced already, though.
The pralines are a big plot equipment in the movie.
Did you get sick of eating them?
Did you figure out the recipe?
The bad ones, I got tired of eating those.
I have a very particular palate now for pralines.
After eating Loretta’s [Authentic Pralines], I can’t go around eating just anybody’s pralines.
That’s helpful for the acting, I’m sure.
The key is to check that the props department is doing it and not catering.
No, it was great.
It was a great experience really glad that we did it.
“A New Orleans Noel” premieres on Lifetime on December 3 at 8:00 p.m.
ET (7:00 p.m. CT).
This interview has been edited for clarity.
