'GOOD WITCH' Cast Bios CATHERINE BELL
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‘GOOD WITCH’ Cast Bios CATHERINE BELL (Cassie Nightingale) – Catherine Bell is best known for her work as the headstrong Marine Corps attorney Lt. Sarah ‘Mac’ MacKenzie on the action drama series “JAG” and in the ensemble drama series “Army Wives,” as Denise Sherwood, a devoted wife who has returned to work as a nurse while her husband is a major in Iraq and whose son was killed in combat in Afghanistan. Bell was born in London and moved to Los Angeles with her family at the young age of three. While studying biomedical engineering at UCLA, Bell ventured into modeling, which soon led to immediate recognition in both the United States and overseas. Building on her success as a model, she decided to pursue an acting career, which was launched soon thereafter. While working in television, Bell has also generated a loyal fan base with Hallmark Channel’s “The Good Witch” movie franchise, always among the highest-rated original movie premieres on the network. Starring as Cassandra “Cassie” Nightingale, Bell completed seven Original Movies in the franchise, including “The Good Witch,” “The Good Witch’s Garden,” “The Good Witch’s Gift,” “The Good Witch’s Family,” “The Good Witch’s Charm,” “The Good Witch’s Destiny” and “The Good Witch’s Wonder.” Other TV credits include Lifetime’s “Still Small Voices” and “Last Man Standing,” CBS’ “Company Town” and TNT’s “Good Morning Killer” as well as guest starring roles on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Friends,” “Dream On” and “King & Maxwell.” Bell’s feature film credits include Universal’s mega-hit “Bruce Almighty” opposite Jim Carrey, as well as “Men of War,” and Netflix’s “The Do-Over” alongside Adam Sandler. Bell will next be seen in Uptv’s “High Rise Rescue.” ### JAMES DENTON (Dr. Sam Radford) – Nashville native James Denton, who originally attended college on a basketball scholarship, wasn't bitten by the acting bug until he was 28. He landed the role of George Gibbs in a Nashville production of “Our Town,” got fine reviews, but thought there was a more solid career in selling advertising starting an ad career in Tennessee and then in North Carolina before taking off for Chicago to risk everything to become a professional actor. (more) HALLMARK CHANNEL – ‘GOOD WITCH’ – CAST BIOS/Page 2 He soon was accepted as one of Chicago's brightest stars. After earning a key casting when the “Untouchables” series came to town to film, Denton was drawn to Los Angeles, where his strong theatre reputation had preceded him and he was locked in with choice turns in film, on TV and on the stage. As one of the stars of the Golden Globe® and SAG Award-winning “Desperate Housewives,” Denton started building his Hollywood career with performances in such films as “Primary Colors,” “Face/Off” and “That Old Feeling,” but soon off-beat roles in adventurous TV series were claiming his time. In 1997 Denton landed the role of the eerily sociopathic Mr. Lyle on NBC's hit drama, “The Pretender.” The series’ multi-year run was followed by “The Pretender” television films, “Pretender 2001” and "Pretender: The Island of the Haunted.” In 2001 Denton was cast by ABC to star opposite Kim Delaney in Steven Bochco’s “Philly,” which was critically acclaimed but short-lived. But Denton’s growing reputation quickly led to a new series casting him as a top player in this nation’s homeland security community, Special Agent Jon Kilmer on “Threat Matrix.” In addition to his series starring roles on TV, his guest appearances include “JAG,” “Slider,” “Dark Skies,” “Two Guys and a Girl,” “Ally McBeal” and “The West Wing.” His latest run of feature films include “Grace Unplugged” released in the Fall of 2013 and “Stranded in Paradise” released in summer of 2014 on Hallmark Channel. Most recently, he was seen on “Devious Maids” in a recurring role and executive produced and starred in the Hallmark Channel original movie “For Love and Honor” that premiered in July 2016. Acting obviously is serious work for the handsome and athletic star. He got his start on the stage in Chicago, his first role there was as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire and his last was the terrorist in the French farce, Lapin, Lapin. He was a company member of the Griffin Theatre and at the Strawdog Theatre Ensemble. He added a steady string of roles and accolades to his quickly growing list, including one of the leads in the world premiere of Flesh and Blood, performing in and composing the music for The Night Hank Williams Died and his portrayal of Kentucky preacher C.C. Showers in The Diviners, which gained him a coveted Joseph Jefferson Best Actor nomination. For these performances, Denton was listed as one of Chicago's hottest actors by Screen Magazine. In Los Angeles, he appeared in the premieres of Asylum at the Court Theatre, Locked Up Down Shorty's at the Powerhouse Theatre, and In Walked Monk at the Hudson Theatre. Denton devotes a large portion of his time to Band from TV which was formed when Greg Grunberg (“Heroes”), Hugh Laurie (“House”) and Bob Guiney (“The Bachelor”) decided to band their musical interests together to raise money for charity. The Band, which now includes Jesse Spencer (“House”), Scott Grimes (“ER,” “Band of Brothers”) and Adrian Pasdar (“Heroes”) plays (more) HALLMARK CHANNEL / ‘GOOD WITCH’ – Cast Bios – Page 3 several shows around the country every year to raise money for charity and since their inception BFTV has raised almost two million dollars for various causes supported by the band. ### BAILEE MADISON (Grace) — A young, rising star, Bailee Madison is already one of the most proficient actresses in the business, effortlessly executing both dramatic and comedic roles, as well as establishing her presence in the world of philanthropy. With inherent charm, sharp intelligence and a vibrant personality, Madison is a multitalented actress who has showcased her talent across the board. Adding to her extensive list of accomplishments, she has produced two feature length films, Annabelle Hooper and the Ghosts of Nantucket and Cowgirl’s Story and has co-authored a young adult novel which she hopes to share soon. Madison’s most recent appearances on the big screen include a starring role as the daughter of Marisa Tomei and the granddaughter of Bette Midler and Billy Crystal in 20th Century Fox and Walden Media’s Parental Guidance, released on Christmas day, 2012. Prior to this, in August 2011, she was the star of producer Guillermo Del Toro’s thriller Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark with Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce, in which she played a withdrawn child being haunted by insatiable demons. In 2009, Madison delivered one of the most sought out performances from a child actress under the age of 10, earning her a Critics Choice Movie Award nomination for her work in Jim Sheridan’s film, “Brothers” opposite Tobey Maguire, Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal. She also played the young Betty Ann Waters in Fox Searchlight’s “Conviction” with Hilary Swank and Minnie Driver. Her other films include “Letters to God” and the Hallmark Channel Original Movies, “A Taste of Romance” with Teri Polo, “Smart Cookies” with Patricia Richardson, “Pete’s Christmas” with Bruce Dern, and “Northpole” and “Northpole: Open For Christmas.” For her role in Columbia Pictures’ comedy, Just Go with It with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, Madison earned rave reviews in an article in The Wall Street Journal titled “How 11-Year-Old Bailee Madison Stole Adam Sandler’s Movie.” Madison also captured audiences hearts with her role as May Belle in Disney’s Bridge to Terabithia and has left lasting impressions with her performances in the independent film Phoebe in Wonderland, starring Felicity Huffman and Elle Fanning and on television in NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU.” She appeared as Maxine in Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” for its fourth and final season & is most recognized for her role as young Snow White in ABC’s (more) HALLMARK CHANNEL / ‘GOOD WITCH’ – Cast Bios – Page 4 “Once Upon a Time.” Madison recently starred as Hillary Harrison on ABC’s “Trophy Wife,” alongside Malin Akerman, Bradley Whitford, Michaela Watkins and Marcia Gay Harden. She can also be seen in a recurring role as Sophia Quinn on Freeform’s hit drama series “The Fosters.” A driven and talented young actress, Madison is equally committed to using her public profile to raise awareness for those less fortunate. Between filming major motion pictures, Madison has been devoting her time and energy to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, an organization that encourages children nationwide to raise money to find a cure for childhood cancer through running their own lemonade stands. In 2011, Variety named Madison an honoree for her philanthropic efforts at the Variety Power of Youth Awards, which pays homage to the industry’s most talented young activists and in 2012 ALSF named Madison their national Youth Spokesperson. -- HALLMARK CHANNEL -- .