The couple also shared their hopes for theLifetime networkto produce more movies centering on LGBTQ stories.
The couple was thrilled to work together
“A Christmas to Treasure” features your real-life relationship.
How did the project come about?
We jumped at the chance, especially because we got to play opposite each other.
How does it feel to be representing an LGBT love story on Lifetime?
There hadn’t been many, so it’s great.
Did you have any reservations about playing opposite each other?
Frey:I was excited.
We’ve never gotten to work together.
It was really fun.
Massey:I agree.
We’ve never had that shared experience.
Spoiler alert: It was fun.
We had a great time.
The cast had plenty of memorable moments
Did you feel like your work personas were different?
Was Taylor different on set than you normally see him?
He seemed probably a little bit more chill and less stressed out.
We enjoyed being on set and getting to do it.
They assembled a really talented and fun cast.
We had a lovely time.
Frey:We’d go out to these lodges after and have dinner and drinks.
[We] met most nights with the cast.
It was really fun.
What were some of your favorite off-screen moments with the cast?
Frey:I know a lot of these movies get made, but this was a cool cast.
This was a true cast of characters.
People talk about actors being larger than life in a lot of ways.
That was one of the funnest nights I had.
We laughed a lot.
Frey:The karaoke night was fun.
Massey:We laughed a lot.
We lived our best life with these people.
We had cast dinners.
We went out [for] karaoke.
Do you guys have a go-to karaoke song that we should know about?
Massey:I need to.
His mind breaks down.
He is like, “I can’t compute.”
Massey:[To Frey]Do you have one, though?
Frey:Yeah “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”
Massey:There you go.
Frey:I might be changing that to “One Fine Day.”
I sang that song recently, and I love that song.
Massey:The Broadway community’s very small.
He worked in a theater across the street from the theater I worked at.
Frey:It wasn’t immediate.
It took a second.
We were both exploring relationships.
Frey:Yeah, we were busy boys.
That mirrors the plot of the movie a little bit.
What’s it like having a classic TV mom as your on-screen parent?
Frey:It was the coolest.
She was so lovely to work with.
I always like to study people I’m with who have had such success.
She takes it very seriously.
She wants to do a great job regardless of what the project is.
I felt very free and comfortable with her.
There’s such a great cast in this movie.
Do either of you have a favorite holiday movie?
Frey:I have two go-tos that I watch multiple times a season, which I know sounds psychotic.
I love the camp in it.
I love the heart in it.
I love the U.K.
I love the way they portray the little cottage.
And I love “The Family Stone,” [starring] Diane Keaton [and] Rachel McAdams.
That’s my favorite holiday movie, and it reminds me a lot of my own family.
I have five siblings, and there’s five in that movie as well.
[To Massey]What are yours?
Frey:“Home Alone” is a good one.
The shoot was a full family affair
Did you both see yourselves in the characters?
Frey:I did a lot.
I felt like it fit like a glove.
I feel like they were written with us in mind.
It mirrored our own personalities, to a certain extent.
You play exes in the movie.
Is it difficult to channel that kind of animosity toward each other?
Frey:No, it’s super easy.
I would never be nervous around Taylor.
The animosity was fun to play.
That was really fun, actually.
I enjoyed playing that up as much as I possibly could.
And you guys have a kid together?
Frey:A little girl we call her “the duchess.”
Her name is Rafa.
She is the best thing that’s ever happened to us.
Nothing will ever beat this feeling.
Massey:It’s the best.
Frey:That’s all I want to do.
Massey:We’re completely obsessed with her.
Was she with you on set a bit?
When is it her choice to have a baby photo out there?"
It’s something we’re trying to learn about and figure out.
Did that feel like a relatable experience?
Massey:Not so much my [experience] was really wonderful.
Even still today, we’re constantly faced with backlash just being who [we] are.
That’s always going to be an easy thing to tap into.
But for my own personal experience [with family], not so much.
My family’s always been wonderful and great.
I’m sorry to hear your comment sections are such trash.
Massey:Oh, they’re always trash.
Frey:It is what it is.
I learned in sixth grade not to take anything to heart.
Do you think that they’re going to learn from Everett’s story?
Frey:I do.
They will if it’s watched.
Because there’s more to it than just that person.
Massey:I love that.
Any little window into a home … Do you see yourselves collaborating with Lifetime in the future or helping more stories like this get told?
Lifetime’s been amazing.
Vanessa Shapiro’s amazing.
I love the internet.
I would do more films for sure.
It’s fun to make these holiday films.
Massey:This is your third Lifetime film, isn’t it?
Frey:That’s true.
I’m a Lifetime reggie.
Lifetime, where’s my six-year extension deal?
I have a blast because they shoot them so quickly.
It’s not a six-month commitment.
I’ve shot other films where, even to get a couple scenes, it takes a month.
I like the pace and the speed at which these are made to move.
It works for me, and it works for my life right now, especially being a dad.
We’re writing the gay version of “The Holiday.”
It’s fully funded.
We’re selecting the cast now.
It’s going to be a blast.
Actually, Kyle might be playing the Ed Burns role, the ex who cheats on Amanda Woods.
[Who]’s your ideal British actor to be cast as the love interest if you have one?
I hope that Cameron Diaz or Kate Winslet makes a little cameo.
Frey:Oh my gosh.
I’ll work on that.
Is it important to you to cast LGBTQ actors playing queer roles?
To play a normal person who happens to be gay is rare.
I don’t think it goes back and forth as freely as it does with heterosexual people.
Anything else you wanted to note about this awesome movie?
Frey:Watch it.
There’s no better time to remember that than during the Christmas season.
[It] seems ridiculous, but here we find ourselves.
That’s the biggest thing people can do say, “We want more of these.”
The more people support them, the more they get made.
“A Christmas to Treasure” premieres on Lifetime on December 16 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
