Exclusive Interview: Josh and Lauren Swickard Chat A California Christmas: City Lights

When A California Christmas dropped on Netflix last year, it not only reached #1 on the streaming platform, it also became an instant holiday classic.

Fans fell head over heels in love with the relationship that developed between hardworking farmer Callie (Lauren Swickard) and wealthy charmer Joseph (Josh Swickard).

Given the film’s success, it only made sense that we’d get a sequel!

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Josh and Lauren Swickard about A California Christmas: City Lights.

PC: The first film was such a massive success. How did you find out that it debuted at #1 on Netflix? Lauren, how soon after did you start writing the sequel?
Lauren: It was so unexpected. With the first film, we were one of the first productions to film during the pandemic. When we wrapped the movie, we were just excited that we were able to make a movie. When Netflix bought it, it was such a blessing and such a gift to us. A few weeks later, to see it go to #1 was out-of-this-world unexpected. It was one of the biggest blessings of that year. I started writing the sequel in mid-January. It was all so unexpected, but it was so amazing.

PC: You both had a new addition on set for this project. What was it like balancing work and life as new parents?
Josh: It was amazing and stressful all rolled into one. [laughs] Lauren did an absolutely awesome job balancing producing and acting in it, plus being a mom! There was definitely a lot more on our plates and minds than the first go-around, but we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

PC: What can fans expect from A California Christmas: City Lights?
Josh: A feel-good, enjoyable hour and a half where they’re going to laugh a lot and that I think they’ll enjoy. I hope they’ll enjoy it at least.

Lauren: We definitely upped the comedy in this installment. We’re actually going to the premiere tonight. We are so excited to hear the laughs. As a writer, that’s what you dream of. You write a joke and you pray and hope that you can hear the laughs. We get to do that this time around. We didn’t get a screening last year because of the pandemic. We’re so excited we’re seeing it tonight. I’m the most excited about the laughs.

PC: Lauren, you’re wearing multiple hats again for this project. Was it easier the second time around?
Lauren: It was actually not easier the second time around because I was still feeding my baby. I was breastfeeding. Every chance I could get, I was running off set to the trailers where the baby was being watched by either my mom or Josh’s mom. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without our parents tag-teaming. I was running to feed our baby every two and a half hours because she was only eight weeks old. It was actually a bit more difficult this time around than last time. Although, I did feel very comfortable with my team. I trusted them so much. They gave me tons of patience when it came to being a new working mom with three hats on.

PC: Josh, with Lauren being the writer of the film, were you able to influence where your character’s storyline headed in the sequel?
Josh: Yes and no. She asked for my advice on certain things. I gave her my two cents. Whether she used it or not… [laughs]

PC: The two of you are partners and have worked together a ton. What’s one fun fact that audiences would be surprised to learn about the other?
Lauren: Oh, that’s fun. When Josh makes a mistake in the scene and we have to call cut, it’s always because of something funny. He always has the crew laughing. I hope we can do a blooper reel one day.

Josh: Lauren can memorize her lines insanely fast. I’m on a daytime show where people can memorize circles around people. I’ve been on that show for almost four years and Lauren can still memorize circles around me. She has this cool ability to look at something for five minutes and have it down. I’m like, “Are you kidding me?” It’s one of her superpowers.

PC: Is there a scene that you’re really excited for audiences to see?
Lauren: I’m most excited about the proposal scene. Josh actually used a different language from what I had written. He actually proposed with the same wording he had used to propose to me two and a half years ago. He used the same thing that he said to me. It was so unexpected and special. I’m excited for that scene.

Josh: We have a scene where we’re sitting on a sailboat that I really enjoyed filming. There aren’t any bells or whistles. It was a really sweet scene. When I think back on filming the whole movie, that was one of my most memorable nights.

PC: With this being a holiday film, what are some of the traditions that you’re both looking forward to celebrating with your friends and family this year?
Josh: Every year, we watch The Santa Claus with Tim Allen. We watch that every year. That and The Grinch and Elf. Those are our staples—and opening one present on Christmas Eve and the rest in the morning. Savannah, our daughter, is very excited.

Lauren: We love skiing. Last year, I was pregnant and I couldn’t ski. I’m so excited this year that we can go skiing. That’s my favorite tradition. Josh and I love wintertime.

PC: With the film out now, what do you hope audiences take away after they see it?
Josh: Lauren’s theme for the movie was to embrace change. Change is inevitable. My goal is always to make people feel a little lighter than when they sat down to watch the movie. We hope you forget about life for an hour and a half and that you laugh. We hope you’re around people you love and you get to spend quality time together. If any of those things happen, it’s a win in my book.

Lauren: I would love for the fans to be able to escape—whether they’re stressed during the holidays or just want to escape their own lives for a little bit. I hope they enjoy Callie and Joseph coming back to their homes this year. We feel so blessed that our fans are allowing us to be part of their holiday traditions again. We hope you’re truly able to step out of your life and enjoy comedy and the spirit of Christmas.

Make sure to follow Lauren (Twitter/Instagram) and Josh (Twitter/Instagram). Watch A California Christmas: City Lights on Netflix.