Maple Grove Native, Actress Shooting 2 New Films In Minnesota

Actress and Maple Grove native Katrina Begin is bringing her Hollywood career back home to shoot roles in two new films. Currently in production, Begin plays the lead villain for the new independent comedy feature film "Christmas Break-In" along with Danny Glover and Denise Richards.

The film follows Izzy (Cameron Seely), a 9-year old who gets left at school the last day before winter break. Just as a major blizzard arrives, so does a group of rogue robbers, led by Barbi (Begin). When they break into the school and kidnap the friendly janitor (Glover), it’s up to young Izzy to stop their evil plan and save the day.

Then in May, Begin will head to Minneapolis and Chisholm to start shooting a role in the independent feature film, "The Harbinger."

The horror-thriller tells the story of a man who must save his daughter from eternal damnation. Further details about the project, including Begin’s character, are being kept under wraps.

Begin describes herself as "a proud Minnesota girl."

"It’s been exciting to be working back in my home state," she said in a statement. "The crew on the set of Christmas Break-In is literally the nicest group of people I’ve ever worked with. It makes the process of creating so much more fun and enjoyable when the energy of the group as a whole is positive and enthusiastic. I look forward to going to work each day because of them, even when I know I’ll be working outside in a blizzard."

Premiering later this summer, Begin stars in the leading role opposite Joey Lawrence in the TV movie thriller, "Arden Drive."

Begin first started her career commuting from Maple Grove to Minneapolis with her sights set on Hollywood. She earned her SAG union card as a local-hire in Minneapolis by appearing in national commercials.

At 18, she booked a national Guess modeling campaign, which brought her to Los Angeles for the first time. She later landed a Hollywood agent that led her out west permanently.

Begin's previous film and TV work includes:

• Remember the Daze
• Celebutantes
• Zookeeper
• No Ordinary Family
• Good Behavior
• Devious Maids
• Grounded for Life
• ER
• E-Ring
• Gossip Girl

Top photo: Actress Katrina Begin arrives at the Premiere of 'The Zookeeper' at the Regency Village Theater, Westwood on July 6, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)