Justin Hartley admits holiday movie ‘The Noel Diary’ was shot in the heat of summer: ‘Have you ever tried not to sweat?’

Justin Hartley is back in the Christmas spirit. After crushing it as Kevin Pearson in the critically acclaimed TV series “This Is Us,” the 45-year-old actor is next in the Netflix movie The Noel Diary. Based on the novel of the same name, The Noel Diary is Hartley’s second holiday-themed film after Bad Mom’s Christmas.

“I love the idea of ​​families getting together and sitting down and watching Christmas movies,” Hartley told ET Canada. “I watch ‘Christmas Vacation’ every year. I love watching ‘A Christmas Carol,’ ‘A Christmas Story,’ and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ These are movies I’ve seen hundreds of times. I’ve always been a fan of that Christmas genre. ”

‘The Noel Diary,’ Directed by Father of the Bride’s Charles Shire, Finds Best-Selling Author Jake Turner [Hartley] I’m going home after a long time. His mother recently passed away and Jake has returned to settle his estate. However, he meets a young woman named Rachel. [Barrett Doss]and the discovery of the diary sends them on a quest to unlock the truth about their past and mend their minds.

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“The character Jake controls everything in a certain way and seems to have a great life,” says Hartley. “When you peel back his layers, you find him running away from his past. not.

“He has an estranged relationship with his father,” adds Hartley. He goes on this journey to figure it out.I love the characters.I love the story.I love Charles.He’s such a legend.He’s old fashioned. A great filmmaker and storyteller, that’s what drew me to this project.

“It’s an actor’s dream when you have a character who discovers things along the way, and then discovers even more about himself…whether it’s his past or his future, or what he does.” “I love the fact that Jake is willing to pour into his past relationships. He has the courage to dig in and work, whenever I get the chance to play a character who starts out a certain way and goes through this journey of self-discovery.”

“Noel’s Diary” revolves around Christmas, the season of snow, cold and glamorous decorations. It was all Hollywood magic. The truth is that production took place during Connecticut’s sweltering summer heat wave.

“It was June or July,” recalls Hartley. “It was humid. The car we were in didn’t have air conditioning. It looked very cool. I remember when Charles and I were talking about cars. We were in this car.” I found it and it looked so amazing I had no idea it didn’t have air conditioning.

“It was pretty brutal,” he continues. “But it wasn’t necessarily the heat. Have you ever tried not to sweat? It’s virtually impossible. You’re going to explode. It was a challenge, but it was still fun.”

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Hartley also serves as an executive producer on the project. He jokes that the added responsibility was welcomed “because I don’t like being told what to do.”

“Just kidding,” he says with a laugh. “Working with great filmmakers, great minds, great artists is important to me. When you get to work with someone like Charles, you learn and it shapes you. It certainly makes me a better producer, and going into The Never Game, the show I just did with Ken Olin, it was the same thing. Ken Olin is a monster talent and he has been at it forever. When you can take lessons like that and go to school with the best in the field, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’ve been really lucky to be able to do all this with people. ”

Popular holiday songs are true. Christmas is her most beautiful time of the year. It’s also a big deal for father and newlywed Hartley, who cherishes being surrounded by loved ones.

“In my daily life, I tell my friends and family how much they mean to me, how much I appreciate them, and if they ever need me, I am here. “It’s a good reminder to stop and make a phone call or invite people over to your house. It can be stressful for some people.” I know it’s possible and I understand it, but for me it’s another chance to slow down and have some fun.”

There is no right or wrong way to celebrate Christmas. Are you eating too much fruitcake? Hartley admits to never having tasted this treat. As for when it’s socially acceptable to play seasonal tunes, Hartley suggests “whenever you want.”

“We can start in June,” concludes Hartley. “You can start in January.