Interview with Marrying Mr. Darcy star Cindy Busby

I had a pleasure of interviewing (above photo by Ryan Plummer via Hallmark | Crown Media Press) over two years ago, which you can read here: Q&A with Cindy Busby, star of Unleashing Mr. Darcy! Two and half years later, with the sequel of Marrying Mr. Darcy premiering tonight at 9/8c on Hallmark Channel (in which Cindy reprises her Elizabeth Scott role from the first movie), I had another opportunity and a great pleasure of doing a follow up interview with the always friendly and fabulous Miss Cindy Busby. For this interview, she talked about reprising her Elizabeth Scott role and what the fans can expect to see from her character in Marrying Mr. Darcy, reuniting with her Unleashing Mr. Darcy co-stars and Teri Wilson, working again with co-star , and more!

Many thanks to Cindy for taking the time of her busy schedule to do another interview here on this blog and for being so kind and wonderful. It's always a pleasure to catch up and chat with her!

Read my new Q&A with Cindy Busby below...

(UMD movie poster via Hallmark | Crown Media Press)

Jeane/P&P Blog: Unleashing Mr. Darcy was a ratings hit on Hallmark Channel more than two years ago. What was your reaction of the ratings success and the huge fans’ love and support for the first movie?

I’m filled with joy and gratitude every single day to have been able to interpret the role of Elizabeth Scott in Unleashing Mr. Darcy. Its success has given me so many memorable opportunities and for that I am thankful. The talented cast and I are met everyday with overwhelming amounts of love and support, via social media, from the fans, and it’s for that reason that we were able to make the sequel, Marrying Mr. Darcy.

(MMD movie poster via Hallmark | Crown Media Press)

J: Two and half years later, Marrying Mr. Darcy, the sequel for Unleashing Mr. Darcy, is finally a go. What was it like coming back for part 2 and reprising your Elizabeth Scott role?

CB: I was so excited to play Elizabeth again, but also a little nervous. I felt at ease as soon as I stepped foot on set and saw all the familiar loving faces. It was like a big family reunion.

(Cindy Busby with co-star Ryan Paevey 

in Marrying Mr. Darcy Still by Ryan Plummer via  Hallmark | Crown Media Press)

 

(Cindy Busby in Marrying Mr. Darcy by Ryan Plummer via Hallmark | Crown Media Press)

J: How was the preparation for your character like this time on Marrying Mr. Darcy compare to the first time you were portraying her on Unleashing Mr. Darcy? 
CB: My preparation for Marrying Mr. Darcy was a little easier this time around because I’d already discovered the fundamentals of Elizabeth’s character. It was important to fill in the blanks about what has changed between Ms.Scott and Mr.Darcy since the audience last saw them. The most challenging part was discovering her emotional character arc throughout, which drives her to breakdown and breakthrough.

 (Cindy Busby as Elizabeth Scott in Unleashing Mr. Darcy. 
Copyright 2015 Hallmark | Crown Media 

United States, LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss)

(Cindy Busby as Elizabeth Scott in Marrying Mr. Darcy 

still by Ryan Plummer via Hallmark | Crown Media Press)

J: What can fans and viewers expect to see for your character’s evolution from the first movie to this second movie?
CB: Fans can expect to see a much more mature and sophisticated version of Elizabeth. She’s been living in NYC full time now, so she has adapted to the big city. She’s not as closed off and is fully ready to make the commitment to Donovan. Fans can still expect her quick wit, spunk, and outspoken personality. She’s a strong lady, but is susceptible to the pressures and the overwhelming expectations of becoming part of the Darcy’s New York family legacy.

(Cindy with the Cast of Marrying Mr. Darcy | Photo by Cindy Busby)

(Cindy with co-star Tammy Gillis on set 

of Marrying Mr. Darcy | Photo by Cindy Busby)

J: What was it like being reunited and working together again with most of the same cast? Was it the same crew from Unleashing Mr. Darcy too?

CB: It was a dream come true, especially having the dogs back! The cast is so talented, friendly, and genuine. I mean, if you’re gonna be at work for 14 hours a day, it might as well be with people you love, right?! It’s just one big love fest all the time. That also includes the crew too. Most of them were different, but just as hard working and fun as Unleashing Mr. Darcy.

(Cindy with Ryan Paevey on set and bts of 

Marrying Mr. Darcy | Photos by Cindy Busby)

J: How was it working again with your co-star for this movie?
CB: Working with Ryan was as fun and easy as the first time around. He’s always prepared to work or have a good laugh. We both share an intense love for all the dogs and always look forward to having them around. I’m so happy that we got to do this movie together. 

(Cindy & Ryan as Elizabeth & Darcy in  

Marrying Mr. Darcy still by Ryan Plummer via Hallmark | Crown Media Press)

J: After this movie premieres on Hallmark, I’m sure fans will be hoping for a third movie. Would you be on board for a third installment if you were to be asked to return along with Ryan and Marrying Mr. Darcy cast?
CB: HAHA! I love this kind of enthusiasm. I would absolutely be on board to work on another Darcy movie, if everyone’s schedules aligned. At this point, it’s like working with family, so I’d love the excuse to work with them again.

(Cindy Busby as Elizabeth Scott with Teri Wilson

in Marrying Mr. Darcy still by Ryan Plummer via Hallmark | Crown Media Press)

(Cindy Busby with MMD co-stars and Tammy Gillis and UMD 

author Teri Wilson on set of Marrying Mr. Darcy | Photo by Cindy Busby)

J: How was it seeing Teri Wilson (author of Unleashing Mr. Darcy) again on set for another cameo for this movie (as seen in one of the promo stills)?

CB: I guess the cat is out of the bag at this point. Yes, Teri Wilson makes a lovely cameo in the sequel, and honestly it would not have been the same without her visiting us on set. Seeing her was surreal and we had some good laughs and a big hug. Her support over the last 2 and half years has been overwhelming and wonderful. She’s our good luck charm. :)

(Marrying Mr. Darcy - A P&P Card Game cover image by Erika Svanoe and
Erik Evensen via their Marrying Mr. Darcy website)

J: Have you ever heard of a Pride & Prejudice card game titled Marrying Mr. Darcy? If so, do you own one and have you ever played it? (If not, you can check out the card game’s website here: See website: Marrying Mr. Darcy ~ A P&P Card Game and perhaps you and MMD cast could play the game for a fun promo just before movie premieres! FYI: I previously posted about this way back in 2013 when it was launched on Kickstarter to raise the funds needed for the first print run of the board game! Read my old post here: Marrying Mr. Darcy - A New Pride & Prejudice Card Game)

CB: Hahahaha! You know what, I have seen that board game online and I was shocked when I did. It looks amazing and I would totally play it. That promo game you mentioned for Marrying Mr. Darcy would have been a great idea, and I wish I’d thought of that sooner. It’s tough because the cast lives here, there, and everywhere, so I don’t think we’d be able too.

J: After Marrying Mr. Darcy (as well as another Hallmark movie: Royal Hearts and a recent Lifetime movie: The Wrong Daughter), what's next for you? Do you have another Hallmark movie project on the horizon or other TV series/films on another network you're working on? 

CB: There are so many incredible things happening with my career right now and I’m enjoying every second of it. Fans can look forward to seeing me in the movie “Betting on the Bride” on UPTV June 10th, as well as “Autumn Stables” in the US and Canada this summer and I just finished shooting a movie called “Christmas Cupcakes”, so there’s a lot to look forward to. As usual, fans can always keep up with what’s next on my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram page.

Marrying Mr. Darcy starring Cindy Busby & Ryan Paevey premieres tonight at 9/8c on Hallmark Channel after an encore of Unleashing Mr. Darcy at 7/6c.