‘It’s Not Lost On Me What Our Veterans Go Through’: A Little Women’s Christmas Star Jen Lilley Tells Us The Aspects Of Playing A Military Wife She Wanted To Get Right

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As a military wife myself, I can wholeheartedly appreciate Jen Lilley’s portrayal of Meg in “A Little Women’s Christmas.” Her performance resonates deeply with me, as I too have experienced the bittersweet longing that comes with holidays spent apart from my loved one serving overseas. The scene where Meg struggles to maintain a brave face for her daughter while grappling with her own emotions is painfully relatable, and it’s refreshing to see such authenticity in a Christmas movie.

2024’s Christmas movie lineup appears to cater to diverse tastes, offering everything from heartwarming holiday rom-coms to thrillers with unexpected twists, and even a touch of spice. This weekend, Great American Family is focusing on timeless classics with the premiere of “A Little Women’s Christmas“, a contemporary take on Louisa May Alcott’s novel. In this rendition, Jen Lilley portrays Meg March, a military wife whose husband John is deployed overseas. The actress shared her experience playing a military spouse and the importance of authenticity for veterans with TopMob.

Actress Jen Lilley will be joining her former B&B Merry co-star Jesse Hutch once more in the upcoming film titled A Little Women’s Christmas, set to air on November 23, 2024. In this movie, their characters Meg and John find themselves in a situation that resonates deeply with military families. Ahead of its release, TopMob’s Sean O’Connell had the opportunity to interview Lilley, who shared her excitement for the role.

I was thrilled since Meg, my most cherished character from the book, is not only a military wife and mother but also skillfully juggles her feelings and responsibilities while supporting her husband deployed abroad. It appears he won’t be able to make it for the holidays, adding another layer of complexity to Meg’s role as a mom who must carefully mask her emotions from her daughter to shield her from the burden of her father’s absence.

The absence from family gatherings and special occasions is a significant aspect of the sacrifices our military personnel and their loved ones endure, and actress Jen Lilley expressly aimed to convey this experience, particularly as it pertains to mothers who must maintain their strength for their children. Lilley further explained:

I don’t know if you have your own children, but children are really receptive. They pick up on your energy, and your emotions. So I can relate to having to put on a brave face for your children, so that they don’t carry a burden (that) maybe they’re not equipped to bear. And I think that’s something that Meg grapples with and I hope that resonates with the audience, as well. Especially those who are military. I really wanted to make sure that I did that relationship justice. … It’s not lost on me, what our veterans go through, so I really want to pay them homage.

It’s evident that paying tribute to the troops holds significant importance for Jen Lilley, and the movie’s trailer suggests that this topic played a crucial role in the film as a whole.

A Little Women’s Christmas features a cast that will be recognizable to GAF fans, with Jen Lilley and Jesse Hutch being just two of the talented actors in this production. Jillian Murray takes on the role of Jo, Laura Osnes portrays Beth, and Julia Reilly plays Amy. Trevor Donovan appears as Fitch, and Kyle Kupecky steps into the role of Laurie.

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that the heartwarming miniseries “A Little Women’s Christmas” makes its debut at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 23, only on Great American Family! And if you’re still in the holiday mood, don’t forget to check out Jen Lilley in “Operation Mistletoe“, a delightful Christmas tale that’s ready for streaming now, exclusively on Hulu with a subscription. Enjoy the festive season!

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2024-11-22 17:07