Meet Alex Yonks, Co-Writer of Discovery+’s First Scripted Movie, Candy Coated Christmas

We spoke with writer Alex Yonks, one of the creators behind The Food Network’s first-ever scripted movie streamed on Paramount+, Candy Coated Christmas. A proud member of the WGA, Alex holds two “story by” credits for the hit show The Big Bang Theory, as well as a 2017 College Television Emmy Award in Children’s Programming for her short film, A Taylor Story. We asked Alex about her experiences writing in television, the mid-pandemic development process of A Candy Coated Christmas, and her future plans to develop a YA novel. Read more about this multi-talented creative force below!

Hi Alex! To begin, how did you get involved with Candy Coated Christmas?

Alex: I wrote and developed the script with executive producers Joey Plager and Ellie Kanner, so I was involved from the get-go! I knew Joey previously and had reached out to him for advice on how to get involved in the holiday movie space. He pretty quickly turned around and said that he and his producer partner (Ellie) were looking for a writer to partner with on their next project and asked if they would be interested, to which I said, absolutely. 

What was it like writing the script with Joey Plager and Ellie Kanner? Tell us more about your working relationship and shorthand with them.

Alex: Writing the script with Joey and Ellie was great. We wrote it during the pandemic so all of us were completely virtual. We have a nice mix of getting down to business and also enjoying the process and one another's company. We learned what worked best for us throughout writing Candy Coated Christmas. 

Was there a certain scene in Candy Coated Christmas that came out exactly how you imagined when writing it?

Alex: They all came out really well and because Ellie Kanner, the director, was also one of the co-writers we were always on the same page. Our collective vision from the inception of the script was translated really well into the production of the movie. One of my favorite scenes is when Dakota and Molly are shopping and Molly helps her pick out the perfect dress.

It's so sweet and shows the bond that the two of them are building starting to blossom. I was also there for the filming of that scene so on a personal note it was extra special to see it come to life. Molly McCook and Landry Townsend did such a wonderful job. Another scene I love is when everyone is gathered around the Christmas Tree singing 12 Days of Christmas. It was so much fun to write and just as entertaining to watch. The actors really got into the spirit of it and brought such a fun energy! 

What are some of your other favorite past projects?

Alex: What I love about almost every project is that I learn something new each time and each experience leads to more opportunities. I was so lucky to land my literal dream job almost right after college - working on The Big Bang Theory for three years until the show ended. Not only had I enjoyed the show with my family growing up, but the experience lived up to every expectation.

I loved the people I worked with, the atmosphere and the show itself was the best of the best, so it was very special.  Everyone was very supportive, and it was really exciting to earn my first story by credits on such an exceptional show. However, the project I'm the most proud of is a short I wrote, directed, and co-produced a few years back called A Taylor Story. It was my college thesis film that gave me a lot of control over the story and the production.

'It was also a very personal story which incorporated elements from my life experiences - it was about teens with cancer but it was hopeful.  My mom and my cousin/aunt both went through cancer and I dedicated the film to my aunt who later passed away from ovarian cancer.  It was nominated for a DGA award and won the College Emmy for Children’s programming but I am really proud of the fact that we used our crowdfunding to also raise $2000 for St. Jude Children’s hospital.  Whenever possible, I hope the projects I work on will be stories that resonate, entertain, and help people. 

Who are some of your writing influences?

Alex:  I’ve always been drawn to movies and television shows that share stories that I can relate to and that make me laugh and also show me how life can be challenging and messy, but it can also be fun and kind and hopeful. It’s about the script but it’s also about the acting, the directing, the music, and sound design, even the art direction can have a dramatic influence on the impact. 

Over the years I’ve been motivated by family dramas like Parenthood and charming comedies like Gilmore Girls but for me, someday I hope to craft stories like Garry Marshall or Nancy Meyers because their stories always connect to the heart and leave me feeling uplifted and happier over and over again.

What’s happening next in your world?

Alex: 2022 is already promising to be busy.  Currently, I'm writing and producing a book adaptation of the YA novel, 11 Before 12 written by Lisa Greenwald. Joey, Ellie, and I are planning to develop more projects together this year and I am exploring opportunities to get back on a TV series. I know that I am going to make the most out of 2022 including plans to travel to Europe with one of my best friends, who I named Gallant Resorts after in Candy Coated Christmas.

Where can we find you on social media?

Alex: On Instagram! @alexyonks

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Learn more about Alex on IMDb and Instagram. Thanks for reading!