KYLEE LEVIEN TALKS A CHRISMYSTERY
"It was such a fun balance to play with"
Daniel John
A mystery blending suspense and holiday cheer, what was it like to step into the Christmas mystery of this charmful yet thrilling tale?
Stepping into this story felt like getting dropped into a world where cozy Christmas charm and real suspense exist side by side. It was such a fun balance to play with, being wrapped up in the lights, the music, the small-town warmth. But also following clues and leaning into the mystery. It kept me on my toes the entire shoot in the best way.
Leia may be a small-town girl, but she’s very open to the world around her. Just full of curiosity. How did you find a connection with Leia to play her?
Leia’s curiosity feels very familiar to me. She’s the kind of person who notices everything and genuinely wants to understand people and situations. I tapped into that part of myself, the side that asks too many questions, that wants to dig deeper and is not afraid to explore. Once I connected to that, she felt really natural to play.
Do you as an actress carry the same curiosity, into playing many different kinds of characters and stories?
Definitely. Curiosity is honestly what makes acting exciting for me. Every character opens a new door, a different world, a different way of thinking, a new challenge. I get excited when a role asks me to stretch and learn something new. That feeling of discovery is what keeps me coming back.
A season full of twinkling stars, what qualities in other actors and their craft do you find the most inspiring?
I am inspired by actors who have range, people who can jump from drama to comedy to action and still feel truthful. I admire performers who aren’t afraid to take risks or be vulnerable on screen. Watching them reminds me that acting is about honesty and commitment, no matter the genre.
You have had some role models close by with three older siblings who all acted. Was acting always something that lived near?
Acting definitely felt close, because I grew up watching my older siblings do it, but I still had my own path into it. I started with small opportunities, local projects and acting classes, and each step just made me want to go deeper. Once I realized how much I loved storytelling, it stopped feeling like something I was trying and started feeling like something I was meant to do.
This Christmas you’re acting with holiday romance veteran Jen Lilley, and next year you’ll share the screen with Christmas-movie icon Chevy Chase, what have you taken away from working with each of these true genre legends?
Working with Jen taught me so much about being generous and grounded on set. She brings this warmth and a professionalism that makes everyone feel safe to do their best work. Chevy Chase was a completely different kind of experience because 'CATnip' is a thriller, not a cozy holiday film. So seeing someone known for comedy step into darker material was really inspiring. It reminded me that great actors don’t stay in one lane, they evolve.
What movies do you consider a must-see to get into the holiday spirit?
I’m a huge Christmas-movie person, so my list is long. But the ones I always watch are 'Elf', 'The Christmas Chronicles', and 'Home Alone'. They keep my holiday spirit up every single year.
