This Christmas is going to be one for the books for soap opera fans. Hot on the heels of the news that a Candy Cain trio of Christmas-themed, soap-star-filled romance films is on the way comes word that a fourth is currently in the works. Called Joy & Hope, the heartwarming film stars The Young and the Restless alum Vivica A. Fox (ex-Stephanie Simmons) and One Life to Live alum Andrea Evans (ex-Tina Lord).
Fox and Evans just finished shooting their first scenes for the ranch-set film, described as a Christmas romance with a country twist by writer-director Candice Cain.
"It was a pleasure working with Candy Cain on Joy & Hope," Fox says of her experience making the upcoming film. "I'm so all about 'girl power' and Candy embodies that as a writer and director. She has an amazing future."
Adds Evans, "Can't wait for you to see Joy & Hope, a new Christmas movie. So much fun! Love Candice Cain and everyone involved. Great to see women in charge: producing, writing, directing, and a female DP. I love it!"
Fox and Evans costar with Chris Owen, Abigail Hawk, Alix Kermes, Ashley Brinkman, Andrew Rogers, Cody Calafiore, and Paulie Calafiore.
As Soap Central previously reported, Cain is releasing three other holiday films this year -- Ivy & Mistletoe, Destination: Christmas, and Painting Christmas. The films star a bevy of soap opera favorites, including Patrick Muldoon (ex-Austin Reed, Days of our Lives), Jennifer Bassey (ex-Marian Colby, All My Children; ex-Quinn Danvers, General Hospital), Carrie Genzel (ex-Skye Chandler, AMC), Terri Garber (ex-Iris Dumbrowski, As the World Turns; ex-Victoria Parker, GH; ex-Suzanne Collier, Santa Barbara), and Cynthia Gibb (ex-Susan Carter, Search for Tomorrow).
"From Vivica A. Fox and Andrea Evans in Joy & Hope to Patrick Muldoon, Jennifer Bassey, Terri Garber, Cynthia Gibb, and Carrie Genzel -- among so many others -- in our previous films, the connections to the daytime community is strong in our films," says Cain. "The genres, at their best, share an appreciation for great stories and great romances featuring strong women, and that's what Candy Cain Christmases are about -- with a healthy dose of holiday magic, of course!"
Vivica A. Fox began her career on soap operas, first playing the role of Carmen Silva on Days of our Lives in 1988 and then playing the leading role of Maya Reubens in Generations from 1989 to 1991. She also played the role of Y&R's Stephanie from 1994 to 1995 before going on to make a name for herself in major films like Independence Day and Set It Off.
Andrea Evans is best known for her role as OLTL's Tina, which she played on-again, off-again from 1987 to 2011. She also appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful as Tawny Moore and The Young and the Restless as Patty Williams.
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