Danny Pellegrino isn’t afraid to take notes on millennial icons like Ashley Greene!
In an exclusive sit down with PEOPLE, Everything is iconic host, 39, opens up about his Hallmark debut Line the walls and working with seasoned veterans like Green and Wes Brown on an LGBTQ+ rom-com he wrote, produced and starred in.
“I absorbed a lot from them. Ashley is such a great dramatic actress,” he says, recalling watching her performances closely. “After that I’d pick her brain and say, ‘Okay, did you listen to music before? How did you get into that zone?'”
“Whoever gave me any kind of tip, I said, ‘Okay, I’ll write it down or remember it,'” he adds.
Danny Pellegrino.
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According to the official diary of the film, Line the walls follows the story of Rose (Greene), an interior designer from Chicago, whose brother is Sal [Pellegrino] is responsible for the Flip Christmas Charity House in their suburban Ohio hometown.”
“When a budget crisis puts this important project in jeopardy, Rose reluctantly returns during the holidays to try to save the day,” the synopsis reads. “Unprepared to face the ghosts of her past, Rose has a plan to get in, get it done, and get out as quickly as possible. But before she can, she comes face to face with Brysen [Brown]her brother’s best friend, a contractor, and who happens to be the curse of Rose’s youth.”
Along the way, Rose “discovers unexpected love and a deeper purpose” with the help of her family and friends.
Danny Pellegrino’s collection of essays full of ’90s is the Target Literary Club’s June selection
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Danny Pellegrino (right).
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Pellegrino tells PEOPLE he was “over the moon” when he learned Greene would be attached to the project. Not only was he enthused about his “millennial connection” with the actress’ iconic performance of Alice Cullen in the Twilight films, also says, “I was so excited to see what she would bring to the role.”
“When I was told that Wes Brown was playing the second male lead, I was thrilled because, as a Hallmark movie junkie, I know he’s the best for the Hallmark guys,” he smiles. “And so I knew he was going to bring something special to it.”
The podcaster also admits he was “concerned” about “keeping up” with Greene and Brown in his “first big” acting role.
“I wanted to impress them because I know they worked so hard, they were so patient and kind and all that,” he says. “I felt really lucky that they got the part. I felt spoiled because it was my first big project like this, and I just couldn’t believe how nice everyone was.”
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While working on the set Line the wallsrecalls Pellegrino getting emotional as he saw his passion project come to life,
“I would just start crying between takes,” he laughs. “I know that makes me sound so crazy, but I’d be overjoyed looking around because the sets, what the team does with those sets is amazing.”
“There was a scene on the porch where I acted with Wes Brown, and in the scene we wrapped the lights around the porch. It felt like I was living in a dream,” he quips. “Being with this guy I’ve been watching Pull out the holly and all these other Christmas movies… I can never properly describe how trippy it was, but in the best way.”
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Line the walls premieres November 29 at 8:00 PM ET on Hallmark.
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Source: HIS Education