Lauren, do you think the difference in MacNeill's and Christy's ages ever comes into play in their relationship?

LAUREN: No, it doesn't. Christy has had many issues with Neil, but I don't believe that age ever came into it.

What about you personally, Lauren, would you at 20 have a relationship with a guy 15-20 years older than you? Why or why not?

LAUREN: I think I would. Love is not age-based. It's based on your heart and who you both are as people. If I met someone who connected with me on those levels I can't imagine caring about his age or mine.

Who do you feel is more of a romantic at heart, Christy or MacNeill? How would you answer this question if I had asked this about you compared to Stewart instead of Christy compared to MacNeill?

LAUREN: Christy is probably more romantic than Neil. And I'm most certainly more romantic than any man I've met to date. I have no way of knowing how romantic Stewart might be... but who knows?

What do you think is so appealing about MacNeill to Christy? What about to you, Lauren?

LAUREN: Neil is unlike anyone Christy has ever known. He is brooding and mysterious. He's also extremely masculine in a way that her friends in Asheville probably aren't. On the other hand, I like MacNeill's intelligence and strength.

What do you think is so appealing about Christy to MacNeill?

LAUREN: Well, first we know from the original series that in some ways she reminds him of Margaret. Beyond that, I think he likes her determination and probably her spirituality, which he longs for in himself.

Which one of you is the most in real life like your character...is it you, Lauren, like Christy or is it Stewart like MacNeill?

LAUREN: No contest. Stewart IS Dr. MacNeill.

Lauren, What is the most Christy-like thing you have ever personally done?

LAUREN: Well, there are a number of ways I feel that I'm like her but the one that probably hits closest to home is that I was once torn between my feelings for two guys. Like David and Neil, they each had qualities that appealed to me. This dragged on for a while but unlike Christy I came to my senses and moved on. Fortunately, I was then hired to play Christy and was able to immerse myself in my work.

What is it about Christy that you feel caused two such different men to fall in love with her?

LAUREN: Kellie Martin once had a scene where she accused either Neil or David with being attracted to her because she was the only available female around. While that's not very kind to their characters, there's probably some truth to it. Christy is definitely more like them than most of the local mountain women are. But I also feel that they are both good and caring men who like those same qualities in her.

So, if Christy were your best friend or sister, what advice would you give her about handling these two men and also about deciding which man to choose?

LAUREN: If she were my friend I'd say "Shut up and make up your mind, already!" Seriously, I'd give her the same advice that people gave me. "Don't over-think it, follow your heart."

Have you read much of the Christy fan fiction on the web?

LAUREN: I've seen a couple, but thought it was better not to become confused by what other people wanted the character to feel. I had to stick with the book and the scripts written for these movies.

Does it surprise you that starting back with the fans of the original series and continuing today, more than 90% of it pairs up Christy with MacNeill. Why do you think this is so?

LAUREN: Yes, I was very surprised. As an actor I can only relate to the men I've worked with. James and Stewart are equally compelling and bring so much to the love triangle. As a fan of the book and series, I understand why Neil's character is a popular choice for Christy but I think that David, as a work-in- progress for Christy, is also very appealing.

You know what all the excitement is over on this web site right? Everyone comes here to get their fill of swooning for the day. And let me tell you we can find the most minutiae to swoon over. It is great fun and has its hilarious moments! So first tell us what is your definition of swooning?

LAUREN: Okay... for me swooning is serious inability to function in any way. We're talking staring at a man strangely, mumbling incoherently and pretty much acting like nobody any normal guy would want to spend time with.

How often does MacNeill make Christy swoon?

LAUREN: Not often because I think she's spent a lot of time fighting those reactions. However, deep down I think she's swooning most of the time she's with him.

How often do you think Christy affects MacNeill in the same way?

LAUREN: Most of the time. Let's face it, Neil's been alone for a long, long time...

Describe the kind of things he/she does that makes the other react in such a way.

LAUREN: MacNeill is always questioning Christy and judging her, which makes her heart race. I think that because Christy is with David so much and basically unavailable to MacNeill, he's jealous and unable to do anything about it.

What is your favorite swoony moment between MacNeill and Christy?

LAUREN: Whenever the two of them are alone, like the barn in RTCG, the chemistry between them is very evident. That was a swoon for me. Since much of the mini-series is about Christy's decision, there are a lot of scenes like that. But I can't tell you anything more. Sorry.

Is MacNeill a good kisser? Why do you say this?

LAUREN: You'll have to ask Christy that question. As for me, I can tell you that the actor who plays MacNeill is a veteran kisser who brings years of research and training to his work. He is very convincing.

For the sake of this discussion, let's say that Christy is to marry MacNeill and PAX springs for the couple to have a honeymoon trip. Where would you like them to go? Why do you say that?

LAUREN: I'd like to go to Hawaii. It's time that Neil learned to surf.

If MacNeill and Christy get married, do you think that they will argue much when married?

LAUREN: Absolutely. I mean, the man must be tamed!

Tell me what you predict their first argument as a married couple will be about.

LAUREN: "Pick up your socks... take out the trash... and stop snoring!"

And which one of them do you think will more than likely be the one who tries to make up first?

LAUREN: Neil. Remember, he's been alone a long, long time...

If Christy and MacNeill marry, what do think is the first thing she will want to do to MacNeill's cabin to make it habitable to her? Or do you think she will just try to adjust to it as is?

LAUREN: No question. The man needs some serious lace curtains and pastels. Light wouldn't be bad, either. And let's get rid of all the hunting and fishing stuff, too. And then maybe some nice new carpeting. And a dishwasher... washer/dryer... and a microwave. Oh, and I must have my latte in the morning, so a cappuccino machine would be nice. But other than that, with the possible exception of a new hot tub (wink, wink) I don't envision many other changes.

With Christy married, will it be easier or harder to come back in a new series or new movies this year and play this character, why or why not.

LAUREN: I'm not sure that "easier" is the right word, but there is certainly a lot to explore. It would be so much fun to start a whole new adventure.

What about based on whom she marries, does that make it more or less difficult? In other words, how does the dynamic change depending on which man she marries?

LAUREN: Being married will make a lot of difference. The dynamics of the triangle are bound to become more severe. One man will have a broken heart and Christy is bound to feel guilty for doing that to him. If she marries Neil, then her work at the mission school near David would be especially painful.

What did you learn about yourself by playing this challenging role?

LAUREN: I learned that I'm stronger than I thought I was.

If you never have the opportunity to play this character again, what is the one thing you would miss the most about the role? What is the thing you would miss the least?

LAUREN: According to some people, I'd probably miss the hot tub most. In reality I would miss working with that amazing ensemble of actors. And I would miss the chance to see where the story goes. I won't miss the corset, the mud, the bugs or the bizarre assumptions about my social life on the forum.

I am sure you have read/heard all the comments about the two of you (Lauren & Stewart) having such great chemistry together. Can you define what it is that people see who say this and tell us why you think this is so?

LAUREN: Stewart and I get along really well and bring the best out of each other on screen. The same goes for James and me. Some people just click, and I am amazingly lucky to have had two men like that to work with.

Just how competitive are the two guys? Are they competitive about everything or just about you/Christy?

LAUREN: If you think David and Neil are competitive, you should see James and Stewart in action! They had so much fun topping each other and stirring things up. Sometimes I don't think they even knew I was alive.

Last question, Lauren. It's your turn to tell us one juicy thing that happened on set between MacNeill and Christy that we would never know if you didn't tell us.

LAUREN: Oh.... wouldn't YOU like to know?!

Stewart, do you think the difference in MacNeill's and Christy's ages ever comes into play in their relationship?

STEWART: Never, according to MacNeill.

What about you personally, Stewart--would you pursue a relationship with a young woman 15-20 years younger than you? Why or why not?

STEWART: Not unless she looks like Lauren! Ha! No, I am too young to do that--I think you should ask Michael Douglas this question.

Who do you feel is more of a romantic at heart MacNeill or Christy? How would you answer this question if I asked this instead about you or Lauren?

STEWART: I say Christy because MacNeill has such a practical side to him. MacNeill is romantic, plenty romantic but because of his life experiences, it is hard to be a romantic when you are dealing with so many people dying. As for Lauren or me, I can't say. Really. I don't know.

What do you think is so appealing about Christy to MacNeill?

STEWART: The fact that she has a good heart. He loves her spirit. I think that he is in love with her spirit of defiance. She is refreshing to him.

What do you think is so appealing about MacNeill to Christy?

STEWART: He's exotic; completely not of her world. And she admires his integrity and dedication to his profession.

Which one of you is the most in real life like your character...is it Lauren like Christy or you, Stewart, like MacNeill?

STEWART: I would say neither of us. Based on Christy's naiveté, I don't think Lauren is like Christy at all in real life. Lauren is more worldly. And as for me, because I live in the 21st century and am more of an artist, I think Mac and I are very different. Mac's world is not very modern, and he is much more practical and far less a creative type.

Stewart, what is the most MacNeill-like thing you have ever personally done?

STEWART: I operated on my cat once. He had been in a fight with a bobcat and he lost. He had been badly bitten and crawled off somewhere and was lying with these really awful festering wounds. So I operated on him. Of course my ex, who is a doctor, was there at the time. But we opened the cat's wounds up so they could drain and flushed them out. And he made it. It was fascinating. It saved his life. Another time I saved a hummingbird's life. It was trying to get out of my kids' school. It was banging up against the sky light, and I rescued it. And it was lying there near death. The children at the school were traumatized from seeing it near death. But using a syringe of sugar water that I put down its beak, I rejuvenated it and it flew out of my hand. A very profound thing.

What is it about Christy that you feel caused two such different men to fall in love with her?

STEWART: She's the only game in town? Seriously, she appeals to both of them on so many levels.

So is Christy a flirt?

STEWART: No. Not as much as she should be!

Did it seem fair to you that she seemed to keep both the men dangling as if she was trying to keep her options open and not commit?

STEWART: It's fair if you think of David & MacNeill as masochists.

Do you think she drove MacNeill to distraction with this?

STEWART: Are you kidding?!!

If Christy were your best friend or sister, what advice would you give her about handling these two men and also about deciding which man to choose?

STEWART:Leave town now; it can only get worse! Head for Asheville.

Have you read much of the Christy fan fiction on the web?

STEWART: No, I have not.

Does it surprise you that starting back with the fans of the original series and continuing today, more than 90% of it pairs up Christy with MacNeill.

STEWART: No, not really because that is the flow of the book. Well, it does surprise me on some levels but then when you consider the book, it doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is that anyone finds this curmudgeon-like character appealing.

Now let's talk about the issue that is paramount to this web site: swooning. First, Stewart, what is your definition of swooning?

STEWART: (laughing wickedly). I will tell you this, it means a whole different thing in Australia!

How often does MacNeill make Christy swoon?

STEWART: In an hour or in a day?

That often, huh? OK. So how often do you think Christy affects MacNeill in the same way?

STEWART: Just as much if not more.

Describe the kind of things she/he does that makes the other react in such a way.

STEWART: She Smiles. He smiles back.

What are your favorite swoony moments between MacNeill and Christy?

STEWART: In the TV series definitely fishing by the river in The Road Home. In Return To Cutter Gap I would have to say the scene in the barn. I call this one another scene with Duke my camera loving horse. I say that because you know he nudged Lauren out of a scene once to put his big head in there. I am not sure if it was this exact scene, but it was one where she was petting him, and he just pushed her with his head so he could be right in front of the camera.

So, how is it to kiss Christy?

STEWART: Beautiful, sweet and sublime. Every thing MacNeill would have ever wanted and more.

Ohh, that's really nice! Does Christy respond well to MacNeill's kisses?

STEWART: He doesn't know. He needs more experience.

Does it annoy MacNeill to watch David kissing on Christy?

STEWART: I would say it devastates him more than annoys.

Oh wow! Well, here is your chance...tell that boy off now.

STEWART: No MacNeill doesn't blame David. He doesn't feel ill of him. MacNeill wouldn't do this. He might tell David off because he doesn't have a reality grip sometime. David's problem is that he doesn't understand the people. But Mac can't tell him off about Christy. That's because he feels sorry for David. He is in the same boat as Mac so there is a certain camaraderie there about that in a way.

For the sake of this discussion, let's say that Christy is to marry MacNeill and PAX springs for the couple to have a honeymoon trip. Where would you like them to go?

STEWART: Scotland. Stay in a big castle somewhere up in the Scottish highlands with a trout stream nearby and a nice little pub down the road. In the summer when it's not raining. And with a beautiful four-poster bed across from a roaring fire.

If MacNeill and Christy get married, do you think that they will argue much when married?

STEWART: All the time.

Tell us what you predict their first argument as a married couple will be about.

STEWART: How to cook the eggs.

And which one of them do you think will more than likely be the one who tries to make up first?

STEWART: I don't know.

If MacNeill marries Christy, will it be easier or harder to come back in a new series or new movies this year and play this character, why or why not.

STEWART: I would say the same. It all requires putting on MacNeill and dealing with MacNeill's perspective. It is not an easy thing either way. It's just an acting challenge. However, if Mac marries Christy, then his dreams come true but due to the reality of being married, their lives will be much more intertwined and therefore complicated.

If you never got to play this character again, what is the one thing you would miss the most about the role?

STEWART: The fantasy. I would miss the romantic fantasy the most.

What is the thing you would miss the least?

Being away from my family for long periods of time. I don't like being away from my kids so much.

I am sure you have read/heard all the comments about the two of you (Lauren & Stewart) having such great chemistry together. Can you explain this chemistry and what it is that people see who say this?

STEWART: I don't know if I can explain this as well because I need a chalk board to show you this correctly. With chemistry the (LLS)+(SFM)=(L²S²FM). The two L's and the 2 S's cancel out and so this formula breaks down to FM, which equals Fair Match. Seriously, I would say that it is a spark that happens when two people are good at what they do and are enjoying themselves. As for why I think this is so I think it is partially because of our characters' chemistry and also partially because we are both willing as actors to laugh and enjoy the process.

What did you do differently in playing MacNeill this time than when you played him before?

STEWART: Not a thing. I played him exactly the same. OK. So maybe I brought some more experience as an actor to the role.

Finally, tell us one juicy thing that happened on set between MacNeill and Christy that we would never know if you didn't tell us.

STEWART: Let's see...I understand that Lauren has already told about the time we were in the hot tub together with all our clothes on. How about this? That I picked her up and carried her across the courtyard from the mission house to David Grantland's bunkhouse for the Christy photo shoot because we didn't want her to get muddy feet.

And then there is a scene in which I was supposed to kiss her, but as I had physical control of her at that time, I wouldn't let her stop. You'll know which scene when you see it. You will also see in the scene how well I was rewarded.