Star Erin Krakow dishes on Season 12 of When Calls the Heart
On When Calls the Heart, the roaring ’20s have taken hold of Hope Valley. To the sound of the Charleston, schoolteacher Elizabeth Thornton and the rest of this community are welcoming a brand-new decade, and for many in the idyllic town it truly feels like a golden era. “There’s a lot of glimmer and dazzle in this season, as well as the kind of warmth that comes to mind when you think of gold,” says series lead Erin Krakow. “There are all the beautiful community-driven storylines, but also a sense of growth and explosion. There’s so much change happening so rapidly, in a way that feels exciting for all our characters.”
But while the community goes through some of the growing pains that come with progress and expansion, for relatively newly established couple Elizabeth and Mountie Nathan (Kevin McGarry), their relationship has finally settled in a place of calm — in the sense that conflicts no longer threaten to pull them apart. “It’s nice to see them argue and make up in a very real-life kind of way,” says Krakow. “Outside of the ‘will they, won’t they’ scenario, there’s so much rich material. This season, in particular, we’re getting to see them explore the honeymoon phase of being in a new relationship. There’s excitement there.”
Their ability to work together will come to good use in the latter half of the season when the two face a life-or-death situation. “We get to see some really emotional stories, where we see them lean on each other in ways we’ve never seen before,” teases Krakow. Considering their tumultuous journey since season six, when Nathan arrived as a replacement for Elizabeth’s deceased husband Jack (Daniel Lissing), the connection between these two feels cemented. “There’s always been a thread that connects them, since they first met. Obviously, the circumstances under which Nathan came to Hope Valley were strained and fraught, but the connection that these two have shared has always been very emotional, meaningful and deep,” she says. “Very little of what we see between Elizabeth and Nathan is surface level. Even the conversations that you think might just be a bit flirty and light there end up having real depth to them.”
They will have to mix humour and empathy as they embark on challenges like blending their families, which consist of Elizabeth’s son Little Jack (Hyland Goodrich) from her first marriage and Nathan’s niece Allie (Jaeda Lily Miller). But in true When Calls the Heart fashion, there are hardly insurmountable obstacles on that path. “Elizabeth has always had a bit of a magic touch when it comes to kids. She sees them just as humans, and she wants to connect with them,” says Krakow. “Obviously Allie is very special to her, and she wants to be there for her in whatever unique way Allie is comfortable with. Getting to see Elizabeth take on that pseudo-stepmom role was really special.”
It is Krakow’s personal connection to her co-stars that makes these on-screen relationships even more poignant. “I love working with Jaeda so much,” she says. “I’ve known her since she was a little duckling, and now she’s blossomed and really gives us all a masterclass.” The cast is also celebrating the return of McGarry’s real-life spouse, Kayla Wallace, who left Hope Valley temporarily to play a ruthless lawyer opposite Billy Bob Thornton in Landman. “Kayla is a very dear friend, and we were thrilled for her when she got this incredible opportunity,” says Krakow. “And I’m so happy for us that we got her back. We really wanted to explore more stories for her because we love the character. And Fiona and Elizabeth don’t often have a ton to do together, but I was lucky that we had some pretty great scenes together this season.”
Krakow believes the cast’s off-the-clock friendships are what shine through on camera. “I don’t know if it’s art imitating life or vice versa, but we all truly care for each other deeply,” she says. “It’s something that Lori Loughlin used to talk about, early on, that an audience can really feel when there’s a true camaraderie between people. That’s only continued to deepen over the years. So, for example, the scenes that Elizabeth and Rosemary (Pascale Hutton) have together, there’s an ease to them and a real relatability, because it’s born out of a true friendship between us.”
For Krakow, the Hallmark Channel series that started when the actress was in her 20s has been the gift that keeps on giving. “The impact has been profound in so many ways. Let’s start with, I’d never been to Canada before,” she laughs. “I love Canada, and particularly Vancouver. And it’s been an incredible opportunity to learn how to lead. My goal is always to lead with love and compassion, and create a workplace that is enjoyable for people. And it’s been a really special way to meet some of my very best friends. I truly miss them so much when I’m not in the Great White North — they’re what make When Calls the Heart so magical.”
The season premiere of When Calls the Heart airs Saturday, February 8, on Super Channel Heart & Home