It's been a long time since fans have heard from Farah Fath (ex-Gigi Morasco, One Life to Live; ex-Mimi Lockhart, Days of our Lives), who left the spotlight following a role on E!'s short-lived reality series Dirty Soap and the formal end of One Life to Live in 2012. But the actress is back on the scene for the upcoming Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film, Murder She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery, the second in a series of films that stars Cameron Mathison (ex-Ryan Lavery, All My Children) and Fath's former DAYS' co-star Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami Brady). The film is scheduled to air on Sunday, November 22, so Soap Central caught up with the actress to get all the delicious details.
soapcentral.com: Congratulations on your role in Murder She Baked: A Plum Pudding Murder Mystery. How did the role come about, and what can you tell us about your character?
Farah Fath: Thanks. Here is a long explanation: I left LA and unofficially moved to Vancouver, British Colombia, a couple of years ago (for love). Which was great for many reasons, but the icing was that Vancouver has a lot of production, so the plan was to still try to act. I got a Canadian agent shortly after, but she was unable to get me any auditions because I was not a "permanent resident"...yet. My husband (who is also American) and I had applied for residency and were just waiting ...and waiting...to hear.
I had already had dinner with Ali to catch up when she was in town, filming the first Murder She Baked, and she said to let her know if/when I ever became "Canadian." She didn't say why. And I didn't know she was producing like a thousand more Hallmark movies.
Our lawyer called in April with the news we were officially residents, so I told my agent (and Ali). At this time, my husband and I were getting ready to leave town to pack up our L.A. place and move in to our new Las Vegas house. Oh, yeah...and get married in it. It was a hectic time, to say the least, but I got asked to audition for [Murder She Baked: A Plum Pudding Mystery] the day before we left. I did well in the audition, but pretty much forgot about it until a couple weeks later... an hour before I was about to walk down the aisle. My manager called, and I greeted him with a "Do you know what's happening right now?! This better be good!" So a week after my wedding, I was back on a plane to Vancouver to film my cool little part. The character's name is Courtney Miller. She is engaged and owns a Christmas tree lot!
soapcentral.com: How does she fit into the story, and how does she get involved with the characters of Hannah (Sweeney) and Mike (Mathison)?
Fath: Courtney and her fiancé sell Hannah's cookies at their tree lot, and a crime occurs there.
soapcentral.com: Outside of Non-Stop (which was released in 2013), this has been your first role in a couple of years -- at least according to IMDb. Was the break fully related to your move to Canada?
Fath: And my part in Non Stop was totally cut, thanks for reminding me! The gist is, I've been in a "come what may" kind of mode. Just happy living life and not grinding till my hair falls out. I'll let the bleach do that.
soapcentral.com: What was it like to flex your acting muscles again?
Fath: I honestly had more material in the audition than what actually made it into the film, so I don't know that I would say my "acting muscles" we're flexed, per se. Maybe just slightly stretched!
soapcentral.com: The project had you reuniting with Alison Sweeney. What was that like?
Fath: Lovely! She's always inspiring to be around. Her professionalism is what has made her. It's impossible to not be so impressed with her abilities to take on so much. She works harder than anyone I've known.
soapcentral.com: Did being around Alison make you miss or think about Mimi and your Days of our Lives past?
Fath: Probably? Not sure. We do always talk old stories though. It's only natural.
soapcentral.com: Jason Cook came back as Mimi's old flame, Shawn. And now it's been announced that Brandon Beemer has taken over the role. Does that mean there's a chance you could return as Mimi, as well?!
Fath: [There's] probably a 0-2% chance of a Mimi return. A daytime gig would be problematic for my lifestyle now. However, that being said, working on Days was the most fun ever. It just feels done to me.
soapcentral.com: DAYS had a few stars make return appearances for the 50th anniversary. Were you asked to come back for that? Would you have been interested if you were asked?
Fath: I was not asked, and I suppose I would have been interested if it had been a quick thing.
soapcentral.com: A Plum Pudding Mystery also stars Cameron Mathison. What was it like working with him?
Fath: Between him and Alison, I don't know who has more energy. They shoot 16 hours a day, but you better believe they got their four-mile hike up Whistler Mountain in at 5:00 a.m. Cameron is great.
soapcentral.com: If given the choice, would you rather play the victim or the murderer in a murder mystery? Why?
Fath: I'd prefer to play the murderer. Not too sure of my preferred killing method. It's not really a part of my psyche that I tap into frequently. I suppose shooting someone like a badass or strangling them like a badass.
soapcentral.com: Of course, A Plum Pudding Mystery is a holiday film, so I've got to ask about your holiday plans this year!
Fath: First Christmas not in Kentucky! End of an era. My family will be coming to me in Vegas. Can't wait!
soapcentral.com: What are some of the things about the holidays that you look forward to the most?
Fath: Laughing and eating and seeing my super cute niece get so excited for presents.
soapcentral.com: What are your favorite holiday films and holiday desserts?
Fath: All time fave holiday movie is Elf. Sugar cookies with homemade icing. Also cherry pie with ice cream. And I don't hate gingerbread things!
Do you miss seeing Fath on-screen? Would you like to see her make a return to soap operas? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, on our message boards, or by submitting Feedback.
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