Loretta Devine Says a Boyfriend in Her Dreamgirls Days 'Got My Mother High by Accident' When They Met (Exclusive)

• Loretta Devine stars as Lewin family matriarch Linda Lewin in Hallmark’s first holiday series, Holiday
• Devine tells PEOPLE that the holidays can be “stressful” for her, “but it’s also about love and being happy to be with your family.”
• The Emmy-winning actress says she’s “in awe” of what she’s achieved so far and hopes to continue working in Hollywood

The holidays often serve as a popular time to introduce a loved one to their family, which can come with some awkwardness. The Lewin family in Holiday she expects just that when matriarch Linda Lewin (Loretta Devine) brings her new, much younger boyfriend (Ser’Darius Blain) home for the holidays after splitting from her husband (Dennis Haysbert).

“It was a thrill to play this role and have a young boyfriend and a wonderful husband,” Devine, 75, tells PEOPLE. “It was like something I dreamed myself.”

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Devine met her off-screen husband Glenn Marshall in her 50s, “so it was a completely different feeling” when she first introduced him to her mom.

But Devine remembers introducing her mother to another boyfriend when she was acting Dream girls on Broadway in the 80s.

“She had never been on a plane, so she flew to New York around opening time so she could see what my life was like,” Devine recalls. “He was a little cranky. He was smoking weed on the balcony or something and I think he accidentally smoked my mother.”

Loretta Devine (left) with ‘Dreamgirls’ actresses Sheryl Lee Ralph (left) and Deborah Burrell circa 1981.

Robin Platzer/PICTURES/Getty

Things got much better when Devine’s mom, who has since passed away, met Marshall for the first time.

“She really loved him,” says the actress. “It was a wonderful thing to have someone to share my life with. I think she was most happy about that.”

Devine tries to bring that happiness to his family on Christmas.

“This is such a special day,” she says. “Put your list together and try to make sure you can get things that people really like. I have three older sisters and I have to get to all their houses and spend an equal amount of time with each one. So vacation can be stressful, but it’s also love and pleasure to be with your family.”

Glenn Marshall and Loretta Devine at the 54th NAACP Image Awards Nominees Luncheon at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 4, 2023 in Los Angeles.

David Livingston/WireImage

When it comes to holiday shopping, Devine says she used to start crossing off her list the day after Thanksgiving. “But now that you have Amazon, you can go to Walmart. Everything is much easier if you do it that way,” she says. “But the truth is, my family would prefer cash. I work hard and save to be able to do this during the holidays because they really appreciate it.”

Devine knows of another gift that won’t cost her anything. “Half the stuff I’ve done is on Tubi so I can watch it again. I say, ‘Oh my God, PJ’s and The Carmichael Show‘, she says. “I can go ahead and see it for free on Tubi. I think it’s a great gift. I always say, ‘If you want to see me, go there.'”

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The Emmy winner feels “so blessed” by the career she’s had so far — and has no desire to slow down.

“If you look at my record of all the things I’ve done, I’m in awe of a lot of it,” Devine says. “Sometimes you feel like you need to go somewhere and sit. But most of the time I’m really excited about the new stuff that’s coming out.”

Devine admits that actresses often get fewer opportunities in Hollywood as they get older. “It’s just because of the way the industry works,” she says. “It’s ageism. It’s all about what young people come up with.”

But she remains optimistic. “Everyone must have a grandmother!” Dave’s remarks.

Loretta Devine in ‘Holidazed’.

The sign +

When Devine doesn’t have time – she appeared in a recent episode Ph.D. Odysseus and has a psychological drama Finding faith with Paula Patton and a thriller Interrupting the cycle comes also — the Grey’s Anatomy alum enjoys knitting alone.

“I’m kind of a loner,” Devine admits. “I should spend more time with other people. But I’m really crafty. I like to knit and crochet, make dresses and make jewelry. It relaxes me and actually makes me want to sing. I hear myself humming. My husband says, ‘There it is. You’re humming again.'”

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Devine wore some of the outfits she crocheted on set Holiday when they were filming in 2022. “I wore clothes I made for the airport and I’ll never do that again,” she says. “Every little old lady stopped me and asked how to make a granny square.”

However, Devine loves sharing her gift with the world and bringing people together during the holidays. “I feel so blessed to still be able to work and get parts and stuff,” says the Texas native. “This is a happy time.”

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New episodes Holiday premiering Thursdays on Hallmark+.

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Source: HIS Education