Who doesn’t love a heartwarming holiday-themed romcom to combat the encroaching cold outside? Enter Netflix’s Hot Frosty, a sweet new flick starring Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Lauren Holly, Craig Robinson and Joe Lo Truglio. The upcoming film also sees actress, writer and creative producer Sarah DeSouza-Coelho in her biggest role yet.
Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with Sarah about playing Nicole in Hot Frosty, starring alongside an incredible cast, creating her own work and more.
This interview is condensed for length and clarity.
Sarah DeSouza-Coelho
Melody McCune: We at GGA love a good origin story. What’s your origin story? How did you get into acting?
Sarah DeSouza-Coelho: I’ve loved performing ever since I was a kid. It’s in my bones. Any chance I could get to perform in any capacity, I would take it, whether it was school, Christmas concerts, speeches or plays.
I always wanted to be a triple threat. Hilary Duff was my idol as a kid. But for a long time, it didn’t feel like a realistic career. I did a year of theater school after high school, and I realized film is where I see myself.
So, I got an agent and started doing a lot of independent stuff. For the past 10 years, I’ve been doing the thing.
Hot Frosty
MM: Let’s talk about Hot Frosty. Can you tell me what it’s about and how you got involved with the film?
SDC: It’s a holiday romcom coming out on November 13. It follows Cathy, who the lovely Lacey Chabert plays. Cathy is a diner owner, and she’s struggling to get over the passing of her husband. But when the Snowman Jack Frost comes to life, Cathy learns that love happens in the most mysterious ways.
I play Nicole. Nicole is Cathy’s number one waitress at her diner. She’s really funky; she has blue hair. She’s always looking to break her record of tips and is so level-headed.
RELATED: Arcane: Co-Creator Christian Linke Shares How Finding the Middle Made Arcane Real
I got the audition back in March. I’ve had years of customer service experience, so when I got the role, I just tapped into that energy easily. It was so natural to me. Then, I got the call sheet and found out who I would be acting with. It was so surreal because I got to work with actors I’ve watched time and time again.
MM: It’s such a great cast.
SDC: It really is.
Joy and Warmth
MM: What can viewers expect when they watch this film?
SDC: They can expect all the joy and warmth in your typical Christmas movie. But I think what makes Hot Frosty so special is there’s this level of quirkiness and humor to it. When I read the script, that stood out to me. How it was shot and the different angles [make it] come to life in a unique way. It’s a standout film from all the other Christmas movies this year.
MM: Describe Hot Frosty using three words.
SDC: Lighthearted. Quirky. Feel-good.
MM: Without giving too much away, story-wise, do you have a highlight or a favorite scene?
SDC: There’s a scene at the end where the entire cast is in it. We had a lot of night shoots; we shot the film at the end of April/early May. Even though it was spring, it was still pretty cold out.
RELATED: Samantha Brown on From Season 3 and Playing Acosta
There was this week where we had back-to-back night shoots, and this was our last night. There comes a point when you’re shooting something [and] you and the cast become this family. I remember the last night; it must’ve been like five AM. We saw the sun come up, and we were all delirious. It was such a joy because we were delirious together. It was so nice to have the entire cast together because we shot all our things individually.
Back to One
MM: You’re also developing a digital series called Back to One. Can you tell me what that’s about and what inspired you to create it?
SDC: Back to One is a six-episode dramedy. It follows Sarah Rampersaud, a budding 20-something Guyanese-Canadian actress. She quits her nine-to-five to pursue acting full-time. But along the road to success, she realizes her greatest achievement is actually disappointing the people she needs the most.
It was a silver lining of the pandemic for me. When the film industry shut down, it allowed me to take a step back and think about the kinds of roles I had been going out for over the years and where I felt like I was at with my craft.
RELATED: GGA Chats With Hysteria! Cast About Metal, Mayhem and More
I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, but my family is from Guyana, which is in the Caribbean. I never saw characters who looked like me on screen when I was growing up and reflected my Caribbean culture. And I felt like it was time to share a bit of myself with the world. Why not write my own leading role and explore all the experiences I’ve had [as] an actor in the film industry, which ebbs and flows, and being first-generation?
It’s a bit of a drama [and] a bit of a comedy. I’m currently in development and trying to get funding to get that off the ground.
MM: That’s amazing. Congratulations.
SDC: Thank you.
On the Horizon
MM: What else is on the horizon for you?
SDC: I’ve also written a feature film. It’s a romcom — my favorite genre. I’m also writing a TV pilot. It’s going to take time to get any of those things off the ground, but I’ve really fallen in love with writing. Real change comes from behind the camera, and it starts the minute you open that page and start typing. I feel I’ve been able to draw on different experiences and put them on the page.
RELATED: Meredith Moriarty Talks Third Shift Society and What Lies Ahead
MM: Have you watched anything interesting lately?
SDC: I’m tuning into the Love Is Blind reunion. I’m also catching up on Abbott Elementary‘s new season and Bel-Air.
MM: Name your top five favorite movies.
SDC: A Walk to Remember. Inception. Someone Great. Mississippi Masala. Good Will Hunting.
Thank you, Sarah, for chatting with GGA!
Follow Sarah on Instagram (@sarah_desouza). You can stream Hot Frosty when it premieres on Wednesday, November 13, only on Netflix.
RINGS OF POWER: Cynthia Addai-Robinson and Markella Kavenagh on Míriel and Nori’s Choices in Season 2 Finale
[email protected]
What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
- WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS Recap: (S06E10) The Promotion - December 9, 2024
- THE WHEEL OF TIME: Prime Video Sets Premiere Date and Releases Teaser Trailer for Season 3 - December 7, 2024
- OUTLANDER Recap: (S07E11) A Hundredweight of Stones - December 6, 2024
