TV Movie Goodness Interview: Meghan Ory Talks Hallmark Movie Channel’s The Memory Book 

[Warning: General spoilers for The Memory Book in the article.]

Hallmark Movie Channel’s newest film, The Memory Book is a bridge picture of sorts that’s part romance and part mystery before the network rebrands this fall to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. It follows a photographer, Chloe (Meghan Ory), who stumbles on a photo scrapbook at a flea market and sets out to identify the couple in the photos. Along the way, she strikes up a friendship with Gabe (Luke Macfarlane), which has the potential to become more if she can let go of her own demons about romance. We had a chance to ask Ory a few questions via e-mail about the movie, her stint on Supernatural, returning to Once Upon a Time, and what’s next.

Ory was last on television this spring in CBS’ Intelligence (which was not renewed), and was looking for a chance to switch gears. “I had so much fun fighting bad guys on Intelligence but after we wrapped, I was eager to do something light and funny,” she says. “When I read the script for The Memory Book, I thought a romantic comedy, mystery was just what I was looking for. I also loved the fact that the story is based on a real memory book that our director, Paul Kaufman, bought at a flea market. He also tried to find the owners but was sadly unsuccessful.” While the film meshes romance and mystery, Ory says that it didn’t really play into her portrayal of Chloe but it was a fun way for two characters to get to know each other.

She and Macfarlane hit it off during production. “Luke and I had so much fun shooting this movie. The script is so fun and we loved our characters’ tempestuous relationship in the beginning,” she recalls. “There were a lot of silly antics behind the scenes. The day I had to fall in the lake out of the canoe was pretty funny. That lake was actually a glacier lake and was well below zero. I was wearing two wetsuits and Luke couldn’t stop laughing at me shivering in front of five heaters and covered in towels. I really should have pushed him in.”

She also shared that in the film’s wedding scene, her parents play her character’s parents–her mom is in the front row in the white hat. One of her favorite moments in the film includes the last scene in the restaurant. “I don’t want to give away the ending, but I really loved it. I had many favorite scenes when I first read the script. It’s always interesting how things move from the page to the screen. It’s a fun process,” she says.

Chloe has a signature, classic style in the film, and Ory says that was a collaborative effort. “I did have a lot of input in her look, however, as always, it is a collaboration with our director and, of course, our fabulous wardrobe designer,” she points out. “We wanted the rigid, controlling aspect of Chloe to be reflected in her structured style. As she progresses through the film, her wardrobe becomes looser and more romantic along with her own growth.”

There’s a great line in the film about how cell phones have turned everyone into photographers but nobody uses or appreciates real cameras, and Ory enjoyed getting to go old school with the camera equipment in the film. “It was very satisfying working with a professional camera,” she says. “I was really into photography when I was younger and had a film camera and it has inspired me to get back into photography. A few of the photos I took of Luke actually made it into the film which I was very excited about.”

Ory’s signature roles are Ruby and Red in ABC’s Once Upon a Time, but she says there’s nothing firm for her to come back this season, yet. “As always, my plans to return to Once remain with the brilliant creators, Adam [Horowitz] and Eddie [Edward Kitsis]. We have discussed my returning for some period of time but the story will have to allow for it. I’m sure Ruby/Red will always be around in some aspect,” she shares. She has equal love for playing both characters, telling us, “Oh I can never chose between Red or Ruby. They both represent such fun aspects of the same person. I love them both.”

A couple of seasons back, Ory got to flex her vampire muscles in the Supernatural episode, “Adventures in Babysitting,” which reunited her with Jensen Ackles, who she worked with in the memorable Dark Angel episode “Berrisford Agenda.” “I always like playing villains, so [it] was very satisfying. It was great to see Jensen again after so long,” she says. “And we had a good laugh over the fact that he was going to be hitting me in the head with a two-by-four. Things sure changed from him pining me on Dark Angel.”

Ory’s been working for close to two decades and we asked about her favorite roles. The one that stands out for her is also the most personally rewarding. “I’ve been very fortunate in that I have had the opportunity to play many rich and different characters thus far,” she says. “However, I’d have to say my favorite was another Hallmark show, Merlin’s Apprentice, where I got to play a boy and also met my now-husband [John Reardon]! That was a pretty fantastic gig.”

After a break to catch her breath and travel, Ory’s starting to look for her next project. “I’m not sure what’s ahead, but I’ll let you know when I find out,” she promises.

We look forward to it!

The Memory Book airs Saturday night at 9/8c on Hallmark Movie Channel. In case you missed it, click here for our preview and here for our exclusive interview with Luke Macfarlane.