The classic holiday story “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is getting a fresh, lively retelling thanks to a group of young actors, some of whom are making their big-screen debuts. The movie, based on the beloved book by Barbara Robinson, centers around the Herdmans—considered the town’s “worst kids”—who unexpectedly join a church Christmas play and bring their unique charm to the nativity story.
For these young stars, portraying the rowdy Herdman siblings and their friends was an adventure that they’ll never forget. During their debut on the red carpet, the children talked about filming, what it felt like to be “bad,” praise for director Dallas Jenkins, and what they’ll take away from their time together.
Essek Moore, who plays Ollie Herdman, said he jumped into the film industry with this role. “This was my first movie, or even project ever,” he said. Moore explained he got the role through an audition and a series of callbacks before finding himself on set in Winnipeg. “Next thing you know, I’m in Winnipeg for two months,” he recalled, adding with a laugh, “It was freezing.” Despite the cold, Moore said he enjoyed getting to embody one of the notorious Herdmans. “I got to be all serious. I got to be all menacing,” he said, describing the experience as “so much fun.”
For Ewen Wood, who plays Leroy Herdman, getting to act as one of the “bad kids” was a rare treat. “Probably one of the most fun times of my entire life,” he said. Wood shared that he and Moore spent their time on set having lightsaber battles and pulling pranks, fully embracing the mischievous spirit of the Herdmans. “It was really fun,” he said, admitting they may have gotten shushed a few times for talking too much between takes.
Mason Nelligan, who plays Ralph Herdman, also relished the chance to be “bad.” “Really fun,” he said, laughing. “A lot more fun than being nice.” Like his castmates, Nelligan made unforgettable memories filming with the rest of the cast. “It was such a wonderful experience to film with everyone,” he said. “The memories I made along the way were just so special.”
Nelligan, who’s done a few school plays, was especially appreciative of the guidance from director Dallas Jenkins, whom he described as “the perfect director.” Jenkins helped the young cast understand the scenes while making the set feel like a welcoming place. “He teaches us lessons along the way, too,” Nelligan added.
The character Alice Wendelkin, played by Lorelei Olivia Mote, is the picture-perfect child who usually plays Mary in the Christmas pageant—until the Herdmans come along. Mote described her role as “the best experience of my life.” She enjoyed embodying Alice’s prim and proper personality, even noting she’d met similar kids in real life. Filming in Winnipeg was also memorable for Mote, who saw snow for the first time. Despite the freezing weather, she said the two months on set flew by and were filled with fun.
Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez, who plays Charlie Bradley, one of the “good kids” in the movie, said working with the Herdman actors was a blast. “We all enjoyed each other’s company,” he shared, describing the set as “one big, happy family.” He believes the friendships they formed will last beyond the film. When asked what audiences can expect, Billingsley-Rodriguez called the movie “funny, heartfelt, and just an amazing moment.”
Beatrice Schneider, who plays Imogene Herdman, was thrilled to take on her role, even though it was a bit of a departure from her real-life personality. “Totally a rule follower, 100%,” Schneider laughed. But she found joy in stepping into Imogene’s wild world. “Imogene talks about being able to step into someone else’s life and build a new character,” she said, noting that playing such a bold character was an exciting challenge. Schneider, who previously appeared in Amazon Prime’s The Prodigal Son, expressed pride in the movie and the connections she made with her castmates. “The relationships between all the kids are really like the charisma and just the sort of connections we’ve made,” she said. “They really show through.”
Everyone on the red carpet expressed excitement for the movie’s release and the chance to watch it with friends and family. Nelligan summed up the sentiment, saying, “As soon as the movie comes out, we’re going to go to a theater and enjoy it with all my friends and all my family. And I think that’s going to be pretty special.”
With the young cast’s enthusiasm and the timeless story of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” this holiday film is set to bring families together and remind audiences of the true spirit of Christmas. As Nelligan put it, “Every family should be excited, because it’s such a great way to spread the word of Christmas and Jesus Christ.”
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” based on the book by Barbara Robinson, adapted for the screen by Ryan Swanson, directed by Dallas Jenkins and starring Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, Elizabeth Tabish, Lauren Graham and a bunch of talented kids, releases Nov. 8 from Lionsgate Studios and Kingdom Story Company. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
The young actors from #TheBestChristmasPageantEver hit the red carpet premiere. Aren’t they great? #Christmas #Christmasmovie @Lionsgate @KingdomStoryCo pic.twitter.com/1d7AynDdJe
— DeWayneHamby (@DeWayneHamby) November 5, 2024
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