Exclusive Interview: Hallmark’s Barbara Niven On Delores In ‘Hannah Swensen Mysteres’

Exclusive Interview: Hallmark's Barbara Niven From Hallmark's 'Hannah Swensen Mysteres'

Chesapeake Shores alum Barbara Niven is a fan-favorite on the Hannah Swensen Mysteries. Niven has been there since Murder She Baked, portraying Hannah’s matchmaking mother Delores. The latest Hallmark Mystery is Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery.

We sent some questions for this TV Shows Ace Exclusive Interview with Barbara Niven. She graciously shares what it is like to work with Alison Sweeney, how much she is like Delores and even some deeply inspiring words on going after your dream.

Barbara Niven is a Hallmark treasure and this interview is the chef’s kiss. She is so talented and inspiring. Her words promise to uplift. Thank you Barbara for taking time from your busy day.

Photo: Barbara Niven Credit: ©2023 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Colin Bentley
Photo: Barbara Niven Credit: ©2023 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Colin Bentley

Barbara Niven On Delores In Hallmark’s Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

What is next for Delores in the new movie Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery?

One of the things I love most about Delores is that she always says yes to adventure. She finds such joy in life and in learning new things, and she nothing but possibilities! At this point in life, most people are slowing down and spending time on the couch. But not Delores. She’s realizing that now is the time to truly start loving her dreams.

In Reality Bites she is continuing her acting career with The Murrayville Players, and they are in rehearsals for a new show. (She actually has lines this time.)

She loves using her new acting skills in her P.I. work too, as a way to go undercover and blend into any sleuthing situation. Delores loves being part of “show business” in whatever capacity, so when Hannah tells her that The Connie Mack Show is coming to shoot at The Cookie Jar, she of course finds a way to get on set and “supervise.”

in the ensuing murder, she works with Hannah, Chad, and Norman to solve the case…and of course, to offer Hannah guidance in her love life.

Photo: Tess Atkins, Alison Sweeney, Barbara Niven, Lisa Durupt Credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Bettina Strauss
Photo: Tess Atkins, Alison Sweeney, Barbara Niven, Lisa Durupt Credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Bettina Strauss

What Does Barbara Niven Think Of Alison Sweeney’s Script?

Alison wrote this movie, as she did One Bad Apple. She knows you so well. How is it different working on the movies that she writes? Do you ad lib?

Alison just amazes me as what she can do. She’s the ultimate multi-talker and she writes faster than anyone I ever met. She’s just brilliant In so many ways. She’s a fan of true crime podcasts, so a lot of what you see in what she writes comes from actual true stories.

Yes, she and I know each other so well by now, that we know what the other is thinking, and what our characters are thinking. That’s a gift when we get on set, because she and I trust each other as actors. We know that whatever we try, the other one will go with it, and we will just see what happens. We both rely on instinct, and have a great comedic chemistry together.

When I first read a script that she’s written, I can already hear Hannah and Delores together, and I actually laugh out loud at what Ali’s written for us to do. Yes, we do ad lib a lot. But I also work out a lot of the “bits” to try with Ali before we go to camera. We rehearse our scenes together too the night before, so when we get to set we know the basics of what we are going to do. When they yell “Action!” that preparation allows us to bring things that are not written on the page as well.

It’s such a creative team and family that we have created in these Hannah Swensen movies, and we all know how to do this dance together. Delores is my most fun character ever! She does all the things that I don’ let “Barbara” do in real life. (Although my daughter says that maybe we’re more alike than I think!???

Photo: Alison Sweeney, Lisa Durupt, Barbara Niven Credit: ©2023 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Colin Bentley
Photo: Alison Sweeney, Lisa Durupt, Barbara Niven Credit: ©2023 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Colin Bentley

Does Delores Have A Secret?

Does Delores have a secret? I have always wondered if some of her exploits are misdirection.

Well, I don’t know if Delores has a secret. But I do know that she loves her daughters dearly, and does her best to make sure they will be happy. I think she doesn’t want them to let life pass them by, specially Hannah. Maybe Delores is trying to have them avoid lessons and failures she’s had in her own life, and doesn’t want them to waste time.

 

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Is Barbara Niven Like Delores Swensen?

Delores is that bright star that shines no matter what the situation. I am from Minnesota. It is bitterly cold and snowy and you want to wear sweatpants and huddle in your polar fleece blanket all winter. But, Delores is glamorous, always takes care of herself, and has a lot of energy and a zest for life-trying new things. How much is this Barbara Niven and how much is Delores? How do you think Hannah fans can be more like Delores?

I just had to laugh at that question, because Delores and I are alike in some ways, and very different in others. I do have a lot of energy and zest for life, and love trying new things.

BUT I definitely am not glamorous like Delores. That would be exhausting, trying to b so perfectly done up all the time! I spend my days in yoga pants and sneakers, and usually never wear makeup unless I’m working or absolutely have to. That’s why a lot of my social media has me with no makeup.

The older I get the more comfortable I am in my own skin, and I think it’s important to put some reality into what I post. I love being grounded, and having a normal life when I am not on location working, I don’t like drama in my life. I only want to put it on the screen.

I heard a quote that denies it perfectly for me. ‘Life quiet and gentle in your life, so you can be violent and original in your work.’

 

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Will Delores Find Love?

Do you want to see Delores find love? She had some bad luck with romance in an earlier episode. Do you want to see her have a fun romance or perhaps enjoy a romance with herself?

I do think it’s time for Delores to have a romance again. She got hurt the last time, but she learned a lot from that experience. I think she’s ready now. And I have a feeling that may happen sooner rather than later…😊

 

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Barbara Niven Shares Some Inspirational Life Advice

Delores is an inspiration, as are you. Do you have some words of advice for those who are entering a new chapter of their lives or ready to take on a lifelong dream?

Thank you for saying I am an inspiration, that means a lot. But I think that’s how we need to live our lives, learning lessons and then paying them forward. I have always had this crazy dream, but I never started to go after until I was 30 years old. The odds were stacked against me.

I had no experience, and I was going through a divorce with a toddler and no child support. But that dream, and knowing that I wanted to be a good example to my daughter, kept me moving forward. And now, forty years later, I look back and say ‘wow.’

It’s been an incredible up and down journey, but the journey is also the joy. I feel lucky and also proud that I made it happen. And it’s important for me now to use my story to inspire others.

If you have a dream, what are you waiting for? Start taking a step toward it every day. Life goes by in an instant, and you don’t want to wonder ‘What if?’ at the end of it. You don’t have to make a career or a living doing that wondrous dream of yours, but if you do it a little every day, your spirit will thank you.

Go play music. Make some art. Learn a new skill. Learn a language. Try something new!! Try it on, and see how it feels. Then do it again. You’ll be surprised at your progress and how much your spirit will soar. Teach your children that anything and everything is possible.

And most of all…Don’t give up five minutes before the miracle!

 

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Barbara Niven On The Historic LA Wildfires

Barbara, Thank you for your honest and emotional reports from the LA wildfires. It really made those of us not in California really understand the situation. Best to you and your loved ones.

Thank you so much for your support for all of those who were touched by the devastation. I was so, so lucky. My home and family were not touched, we only had an evacuation warning where I lived. But others lost everything.

What a wakeup call that was, to set priorities straight and to live in gratitude. There are so many people hurting and scared in this country and in the world right now, for so many reasons. I hope we can each find grace and humility and kindness, and do all we can to help them. There but for the grace of God go any of us.

See Barbara Niven in the new Hallmark Mystery Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. The premiere is on Thursday, February 6, at 8 p.m., Eastern, on Hallmark Mystery. Stream it on Peacock up to 72 hours after the premiere. Lastly, this new mystery will be available to stream on Hallmark+.

 

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Sleuthers, which is your favorite Delores moment in the Hannah Swensen Mysteries?

Georgia Makitalo

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