This year, Lillian Doucet-Roche had a guest role playing Kate in the Season 3 premiere of Alert: Missing Persons Unit, and in 2024, she played the co-lead of Lily in the Hallmark Christmas film Confessions of a Christmas Letter, Katie in The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death Is Listening, Mia Cavendish in Paging Mr. Darcy and Dorothy Philbin in Y Llegaron de Noche/They Came at Night, which was streamed on the Spanish service ViX. Lillian played Gina in the 2023 screen adaptation of Guiding Emily, also meeting the book’s author Barbara Hinske whilst on set, and the same year, she played Chloe in Hallmark’s The Professional Bridesmaid. In A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish, Lillian played one of the stepsisters Joy Decker alongside Laura Marano, and in A Cinderella Story: Starstruck, she played Saffron alongside Bailee Madison. For the biographical sports drama The Miracle Season, Lillian worked with a cast including Oscar winners Helen Hunt and William Hurt, and while filming as Taylor Mitchell, Ernie (the father of the girl whose life inspired the movie) visited the set, and Lillian’s further projects include the Nickelodeon TV movie Blurt as Corrine Spruce. We chatted to Lillian about her guest role of Kate in Alert: Missing Persons Unit, the 2024 Hallmark Christmas film Confessions of a Christmas Letter and playing a stepsister in A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish and A Cinderella Story: Starstruck.

In this year’s Season 3 premiere of Alert: Missing Persons Unit, you played a guest role as Kate, can you tell us about your storyline and what it was like working on the show?

Season 3, Episode 1 centres around a college rowing team that mysteriously vanishes during their early morning practice. It’s up to the team of detectives to track them down before time runs out.

This project was such an incredible experience from start to finish, and one of the main reasons was the team aspect of the episode. Our characters were part of an elite rowing team, so we needed to look like we knew what we were doing. That meant a few days of rowing training with professional coaches and athletes. It was a blast – we learned the basics, picked up some tricks to ‘fake it’ when needed (which we definitely used), and spent a lot of time on the water.

I’ve always loved being part of a team – I grew up playing sports – so getting to recreate that camaraderie on set was really nostalgic and meaningful for me. The casting directors, Corinne Clarke and Jennifer Page, did an amazing job putting together our group. We bonded quickly, and that chemistry made all the hours on the water genuinely enjoyable.

One of my favourite memories from set was between takes, when we were being towed back to our starting point by a larger boat. We’d lean back in the boat, soak up the sun, and just talk. I remember thinking how lucky I was to be spending my day like that. I love what I do and never take it for granted, but that day felt especially luxurious. Although, I will say – rowing is no joke. I was definitely sore the next morning!

What was Lily like to play in the 2024 Hallmark film Confessions of a Christmas Letter, and what did you enjoy most about co-starring in a Hallmark Christmas movie?

Playing Lily was an experience I’ll always treasure. Every day on set, I got to fall in love with Alec’s (Santos) character, Juan, and step into Angela’s (Kinsey) world as her daughter. Through Lily’s eyes, life was colourful, spontaneous, and freeing. I loved every minute of it.

One of my favourite moments was when we were all on the porch roasting marshmallows and making s’mores. Alec and I had this moment where we both just looked around and realised how much we loved the life we were living with this on-screen family. It felt so heartwarming and magical.

The crew and team behind the scenes also made this experience truly special. Director Heather Hawthorn Doyle is a shining star, and she kept everything running smoothly, even with such a big cast and long days. Producers Robyn Snyder, Ivan Hayden, and Kim Arnott were amazing, and our camera team – Laurent Danis, Randy Paul, and cinematographer Jesse Young – made everything behind the scenes just as fun as it looks on screen. The cherry on top was the premiere in Los Angeles, where we got to celebrate as a team. Between the group dinners and celebrations, we really became a close-knit family, both on and off set. I’m so grateful for that experience and the amazing friends I made along the way.

What drew you to the role of Lily, and what was it like reading the script for the first time?

The first thing that caught my attention was that the character’s name was Lily – something about that felt serendipitous. But beyond that, what really drew me in was her humour and wit. She’s got this playful, spontaneous side, and I knew right away that I wanted to be a part of bringing her to life.

I was at my family cottage when I taped that audition, and my dad helped me record it. That’s one of those auditions I’ll always remember because I thought, “even if I don’t get this role, I want to experience the world through Lily’s eyes, even for a moment”.

The writers, Jennifer and Kate Smith, provided us with such rich and playful material – fake engagements, surprise tango dances, keeping secrets, and all the heartwarming Christmas traditions we look forward to seeing on the Hallmark Channel.

Also last year, you played Katie in The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death Is Listening and Mia Cavendish in Paging Mr. Darcy; can you tell us about your time filming these projects?

Working on The Cases of Mystery Lane was such a blast. Let me preface this by saying my family lives back in Ontario, so for holidays like Thanksgiving and Easter I always love getting to be a part of another family’s celebrations. It feels so special and intimate to get brought into someone’s world and immediately feel at home… that’s exactly what it was like joining the The Cases of Mystery Lane team. Since it was a sequel, the cast and crew were already so familiar with each other, and stepping into something that felt so established was truly a privilege. There were inside jokes, lots of collaboration, and an overall wonderful vibe on set. One of the highlights of the experience was meeting the incredibly talented writers, Joel Dovev and Margaux Froley, and seeing how much Birdie and Alden Case were inspired by their real-life marriage.

Paging Mr. Darcy was equally special for a different reason: it was filmed in my hometown. Beyond the work, I had the chance to reconnect with my family and walk down memory lane on my days off, which made the whole experience even more meaningful. Playing Mia Cavendish was so much fun – she’s a highly sensitive person… so I was able to really dive into some big, expressive moments. Mallory Jansen, who played my older sister, was a dream to work with. She brought such a calming and loving energy to set. I really enjoyed our ‘sister time’, and her chemistry with Will (Kemp) was so charming. Watching them bring that love story to life was infectious.

What was it like being part of Y Llegaron de Noche/They Came at Night as Dorothy Philbin for the Spanish streaming service ViX?

Being part of They Came at Night was a life-changing experience. It was my first time working in a country where I didn’t speak the language, so stepping off my flight in Mexico City I felt both nervous and exhilarated at the same time.

My character appeared in multiple episodes, so I had the opportunity to work with brilliant directors like Eugenio Derbez and Jorge Ulloa. The series is based on a true story and being part of such a creative and unique telling of that story was a thrill. The sets, costumes, music, hair, and makeup – all of it was so grand and spectacular.

One of the highlights was the final night shoot, which featured the big premiere scene. We spent the evening dressed to the nines, posing for glamorous photos in the beautiful streets of Queretaro, feeling like movie stars. Early the next morning, I caught a flight back to Canada. The whole experience felt surreal – like a dream I’ll never forget.

How was it playing Gina in the 2023 screen adaptation of Guiding Emily, and meeting the book’s author Barbara Hinske?

Guiding Emily was my first experience adapting a novel to the screen, and it was such a joy. Barbara Hinske, the author, was on set and incredibly excited to be part of the process. Hearing about her vision for the story, the journey of bringing it to life, and her hopes for its impact was truly inspiring. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and it really lifted everyone on set. She seemed so happy with how we brought her characters and story to life, which was incredibly rewarding.

How would you describe your character Chloe in Hallmark’s The Professional Bridesmaid, and what was it like on set?

I loved playing Chloe! She’s the epitome of good intentions gone wrong. It was a fun challenge to bring that character to life, especially because Chloe means well, but often finds herself in awkward situations. This was also my first time working with the wonderful Hunter King, and even though our characters didn’t get along on screen, I became a big fan of hers in real life.

Working with director Peter Benson was another highlight. He’s not only a talented director but also a working actor, which gives him a unique perspective on directing. His collaborative approach made it easy and enjoyable to work with him, and I loved how he always took the time to give tips and insights on how to serve the shot better. It’s always a pleasure to work with directors who value collaboration and bring actors into the larger vision.

You played stepsisters in both A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (Joy Decker) with Laura Marano and A Cinderella Story: Starstruck (Saffron) with Bailee Madison, how different was filming each movie, and how did you approach the stepsister role?

Both experiences were fantastic, and I owe a lot of that to director Michelle Johnston, who brings an incredible energy to every set. She’s someone I’ve worked with before, so coming back to work with her for both Christmas Wish and Starstruck felt like a homecoming. She has this way of creating a fun, loving, and magical atmosphere that makes everything click.

Though both films were part of the same franchise, the roles were very different for me. In A Christmas Wish, I was more of the leader of the mean girl pack alongside my sister Grace (played by the brilliant Chanelle Harquail-Ivsak), while in Starstruck, I played more of a follower, following my brother’s lead (played by the hilarious Richard Harmon). I love playing mean or spoiled characters who ultimately learn a lesson, and in both of these films I got to lean into the comedy – playing characters filled with faux confidence and condescension who are secretly insecure and misunderstood. It was a blast to bring both of these stepsisters to life.

What are some of your favourite memories from filming the two A Cinderella Story films?

A lot of my favourite memories came from what the crew and my fellow castmates brought to set. One moment that stands out is when Laura Marano’s Cinderella sings a beautiful winter wonderland ballad in the final scene. Even though my character was supposed to be looking on with distaste, I was secretly swept up in the whole production – watching her singing paired with the choreography (created by Scott Hislop) was magical. I had that song stuck in my head for weeks, and I wasn’t complaining!

Another highlight from both films was working with Michelle Johnston. Since we’d already worked together several times, I felt so much trust from her, which gave me the freedom to explore different aspects of the character. And, of course, working with Chanelle Harquail-Ivsak, who played my stepsister, was such a joy. She was always making me laugh between takes. My favourite scene is when she’s fast asleep on the couch while I’m scarfing down ribs.

How familiar were you with the A Cinderella Story franchise before auditioning, and how did you feel when you found out you’d booked the role of Joy in A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish?

I was beyond excited when I found out I booked the role of Joy Decker. Being part of such an iconic franchise that I grew up watching was a dream come true. The fact that I got to be in two of the films was surreal, I still feel so lucky to this day. During the audition process, I tried not to get too caught up in the significance of being part of such a beloved franchise. I just treated it like any other audition and did what I do best, but when I found out I got the role, I was over the moon.

What was it like telling the story of the 2018 biographical sports drama The Miracle Season and playing Taylor Mitchell?

The Miracle Season was life-changing in so many ways. I had just graduated from theatre school, so this was one of my first real experiences on set, and I learned so much along the way. I was lucky to work alongside some incredible actors, many of whom are still dear friends. I also got the chance to work with Oscar winners Helen Hunt and William Hurt, just watching their craft was like a masterclass in acting.

Being able to play volleyball and act (two of my favourite things) was a dream come true. Director Sean McNamara and the whole team behind the scenes – producers Pete Shilaimon, Scott Holroyd, and Charles Rapp – brought such positive energy to the set. They were so passionate about telling this beautiful true story.

One of the most memorable moments was meeting the real-life people whose story we were telling. Ernie, the father of the young girl whose life inspired the movie, came to the set, and watching him meet the actress playing his daughter was incredibly moving. The entire experience felt like both a privilege and a significant responsibility to do the story justice. I’ll always be honoured to have been a small part of this beautiful story.

How did you find the experience of being involved with the 2018 Nickelodeon TV movie Blurt, and what was it like playing Corrine Spruce?

Blurt was one of my first opportunities to play a ‘mean girl’, and I quickly realised how much fun it could be, especially in the comedy genre. This project also marked my first collaboration with Michelle, who became a pivotal figure in my career, as you can probably tell from other parts of this interview. Working with her was an incredible experience because I truly felt like she saw something in me and took a chance. That was a turning point for me as an actor.

Filming this movie was seamless. I had so much fun stepping back into high school mode, though I’ll admit, I’m nothing like my character, Corrine! Having a locker and diving into the world of high school cliques again was very amusing. One of my favourite scenes was the final debate scene. The comedic writing was fantastic, and I had an absolute blast working with Jace Norman, Daniella Taylor, James Rittinger, and JoJo Siwa. We laughed so much – it was a great team to be part of!

Where does your love of acting come from, and how did you get started in the industry?

I’ve always been a bit indecisive when it comes to making decisions, but acting never felt like a choice – it felt inevitable. I first fell in love with the craft when I was young, doing a play at a local theatre, and that passion has only grown over the years.

Do you have any favourite films or TV shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your time away from acting?

My TV show line-up is pretty eclectic. I’m currently into Succession and Bridgerton, but I also love classic sitcoms like Seinfeld and Modern Family. I find it helpful to have sitcoms on in the background while I do chores like washing the dishes – it’s a fun way to study comedic timing and learn how to hit those perfect beats. I can’t pick a single favourite film, there’s too many, but a couple of recent ones I loved were In Time and Past Lives.

When I’m not acting, I like to keep things low-key. I’m an introvert in an extroverted industry, so I really value quiet time to recharge. I spend a lot of time in nature – taking walks, meditating, doing yoga. It’s all about creating stillness and a sense of peace within myself. In an industry that feels so unpredictable and outside of my control, I find it crucial to have a solid foundation to come home to.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received over the course of your career?

The best advice I’ve gotten is simple, but powerful: invest in yourself. It’s the best investment you can make, whether it’s taking classes, learning new skills, or just taking care of your mental and physical health. When you believe in yourself and keep investing in you, everything else starts to fall into place.

What are you hoping this year brings for you, and do you have any upcoming projects you can talk about?

This year, I’m hoping for a good mix – maybe a bit more of the rom-com genre, but I’m especially excited about diving further into the horror and thriller genres. I’ve had some fun opportunities in that space recently, and I’d love to continue exploring that world.

As for upcoming projects, I’ve got a few things lined up, but I’m not sure what I can share just yet. I can promise some thrilling moments and a bit of gore though, so stay tuned for some fun and excitement soon!

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