The holidays are a time for family. Dennis Haysbert can understand the notion.
“I’ve had enough Christmases under my belt today to know it’s always about family. Even if you love them or don’t, it’s Christmas time. Everything’s okay,” he shared with EBONY.
For Haybsert, the holidays are a time to keep traditions alive. “Growing up, it would always be about six o’clock in the morning; as soon as the sun came up, you’d go in there and make a mad dash for the boxes,” he recalled. “Then I became a dad. It was still early mornings, and my kids used to come and jump on the bed until we said okay and started the day.”
Moments like those are captured in the first Hallmark+ holiday mini-series, Holidazed. Haysbert stars as Robert Lewin, who has recently divorced his wife, played by Loretta Devine.
“He’s been stuck in the past, just sort of floating and distraught than he lets on…he’s cranky,” Haysbert said with a chuckle. But in the way that the holidays always seem to bring a little magic with the season, his character’s life is flipped on its head, and in the process, he finds an unexpected friend. “There are all these sudden changes; he finally gets to see his daughter, son-in-law and little grandson and inadvertently finds a friend in his former wife’s boyfriend. So, it’s a trip.”
Ser’Darius Blain stars as the younger man who bonds with Robert as the two set out on their adventures. The Jumanji: The Next Level star is overjoyed that this new series leaves Black trauma behind. “The beauty of telling colorless stories and getting opportunities to see yourself in character—there’s a huge advantage to that,” he said.
These two men from different generations have created a new tradition, a friendship that extends off the screen. “I ended up walking away with a really good friend. Dennis and I have talked twice a week for almost two years since we shot this project,” Blain said. “I’ve always looked up to and admired him.”
As the holidays approach, Haysbert reminds everyone what the season is about: ”Joy, period,” he exclaimed. “You don’t have to put a hue on it. It’s not about color; it’s about how we interact and care about one another.”
Celebrating joy and family and ushering in old and new traditions is what the holidays are all about.
Holidazed premieres on November 14 on Hallmark+.
