‘Christmas In Evergreen 3’ Star Ashley Williams Reveals Red Truck Secret

Ashley Williams, who starred in Hallmark Channel’s “Christmas in Evergreen” in 2017 and cameoed in 2018’s “Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa,” is back for the third installment of the Countdown to Christmas series, “Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy,” premiering tonight.

Of course, the actress, who also starred in this year’s “Holiday Hearts,” won’t be returning to Evergreen alone. She’ll be there with everyone’s favorite Hallmark movie vehicle — the red truck!

While speaking with International Business Times at Christmas Con 2019 about the new Hallmark movie, she let slip quite the secret about her and that pickup.

“Do you know that I do not know how to drive that truck,” Williams told IBT.

She continued: “It’s a stick that goes up and down, and reverse is right next to first. Every time I do it, if I want to go in first, I slam backwards, and I’m like, ‘Okay, I’m gonna go now, I’m reversing,’ and I’m [blasting] forwards. I cannot do it.”

Fans might be surprised to learn this because it seems like she’s driving just fine in the “Christmas in Evergreen” movies, but it’s all actually just movie magic.

“I had to get my stand-in to drive it ‘cause she was a rockstar at it,” Williams said. “She would drive in, pull up and they’d be like, ‘Hold.’ And she’d hop out, and I’d pull in and be like, ‘Ahh,’ and turn the engine off. It was so stupid. This was so lame of me.”

Even if the Hallmark Christmas movie franchise continues on for years to come and she and the truck continue to make appearances, Williams doesn’t believe she’ll ever get the hang of it.

“I can’t do it,” she said. “I surrender. I give up. I hereby give up.”

Whether it’s really her driving or not, Hallmarkies will just be happy to see Williams’ Allie Shaw pop back in again for “Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy.” Other original cast members returning for the latest film in the series are Holly Robinson Peete as Michelle, Jill Wagner as Lisa, Rukiya Bernard as Hannah, Barbara Niven as Carol, Malcolm Stewart as Joe Shaw, Colin Lawrence as Thomas and more.

Finding romance in Evergreen this time around are stars Paul Greene (“When Calls the Heart”) and Maggie Lawson (“Psych”).

“Novelist Katie (Lawson) meets Ben (Greene) on the train to picturesque Evergreen, where her planned holiday retreat is interrupted by an assignment to write an article about the town,” the synopsis begins. “Though Katie is initially a bit of a skeptic about the town’s genuine love of Christmas, she finds herself quickly enchanted by both Evergreen and Ben after spending time with him and Evergreen residents Michelle, Hannah, Carol, Lisa and – for a short time – Allie. Katie and Ben grow closer while enjoying Evergreen’s Christmas traditions, and even help unearth a long-lost time capsule hidden 50 years ago.”

The synopsis continues: “Meanwhile, Hannah struggles to confess her true feelings for a long-time friend, and Michelle finds herself happier than ever in her own relationship. As Christmas approaches and Katie’s trip nears an end, Katie, Ben, Michelle and Hannah all wonder if Evergreen’s holiday magic has something special in store for them.”

Tune in tonight on Hallmark Channel at 8 p.m. EST to see Williams, the red pickup truck and everything else that “Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy” has to offer.