Photographer: Ryan West , Hair: Matilde Campos
Makeup: Grace Phillips , Stylist: Alejandra Muñoz
You are a fan favorite on Netflix. How has playing Ashley influenced your career, and what does it mean to you to have such a beloved role among audiences worldwide?
I’m so grateful for my experience on “Heartland”. Getting to play Ashley Stanton for years, allowed me to learn on set and become a stronger performer. To this day, the series continuously grows the most loyal audiences from all over the world, who have followed me throughout my career. Their support has allowed me to follow a career path I’ve dreamt of since I was a kid, and that means the absolute world to me.
You’re now making the jump to When Hope Calls on Great American Family as the series regular ‘Nora Anderson’. What excited you about taking on this new role, and how does it differ from your past roles, including Ashley Stanton?
I’m so excited to be a part of “When Hope Calls”. I’ve wanted to be a part of a series for a while and this opportunity came to me at the perfect time. I love that this show is a period piece, set in 1920, and I’m excited to portray a strong woman, who also happens to be a lawyer at a time where that would not have been so common. There’s something about going back to a time where things were challenging with no electricity, phones, or internet but also somehow connected with a sense of heart and community. Nora, similar to many characters I’ve played, is smart, funny, and strong, however there’s a softness to her strength that I admire and that feels different than a character like, Ashley.
When Hope Calls will debut on” Pureflix “on April 3rd and on “Great American Family” on April 6th. What can audiences expect from the second season of the show, and what are you most excited for viewers to see in Nora’s storyline?
Audiences can expect to fall in love with Brookfield all over again, while getting reacquainted with some of their favorite characters and getting to know new ones. Some storylines will get wrapped up and some new ones will unravel. One thing’s for sure, you can count on romance, humor, action, and unexpected twists and turns. I can’t wait for everyone to see Nora and Mountie Michael’s chemistry. Their friction, witty banter, and instant spark will keep the audience on their toes. Oh, and the kids at New Hope Orphanage are so cute and Nora’s scenes with them are adorable.
Given Heartland's incredible success and its dedicated fanbase, what do you hope will resonate with fans of your previous work as you transition to a new series?
I hope that fans will enjoy this family friendly series filled with heart and entertaining stories. Audiences can look forward to being whisked away to a different time filled with fun costumes, cowboys, animals, and mounties. Over the course of the season the fans will get to know these charming characters and be excited to know what happens next.
Your work in Hallmark movies has been widely appreciated. What attracts you to Hallmark’s style of storytelling, and how do you approach creating characters for these films?
I’ve loved romantic comedies since I was a teenager. Comedy and romance go hand in hand and I love being able to bring these feel good movies that the whole family can watch together to life. Every character is different, so I always love to take what is given to me as an actor, within the script, and then fill in the blanks with my imagination. Like, what makes each character tick, how does their career impact their life, and how are they in the world. I take all of that, sprinkle in what I know about humans and life with a touch of humor, and the rest just lives in the moment with my co-stars.
In Marrying Mr. Darcy and other Hallmark films, your characters often deal with romantic themes. How do you balance portraying romance while keeping the narrative fresh and interesting for the audience?
The story is what keeps it fresh and then I find the comedy within the romance. Love can feel scary and serious at times, so as an actor I try to create authenticity within the silly and awkward moments of romance to keep it relatable and fun for the audience.
You’ve also been involved in music, which is another creative outlet. How does your passion for singing influence your acting, or do the two worlds feel separate to you?
I love music and I’ve loved singing since I was a kid, whether it was in choir or in a musical at school. There's a vulnerability that exists through music that I feel in a deeper way than I do in my acting career. Singing is a personal thing for me. I sang in a movie a few years ago and it was so freeing while also extremely scary, despite my love for it. I’m grateful for the experience and now I’ve checked that off my bucket list, but I think it was a once in a lifetime moment for me, which I cherish in my heart.
What is it about your role in Follow Me to Daisy Hills that resonates most with you, and what do you think viewers take away from that film?
Family was the heart of “Follow me to Daisy Hills”. We can all relate to wanting to do what’s best for our family, while also wanting to do what’s best for ourselves, which can be a conflicting situation. It’s a story of loyalty, second chances, grief and healing. Hope is what viewers walk away with from this movie.
Throughout your career, you've portrayed a wide range of characters. How do you prepare for roles that are so different from each other, like the roles in Warming Up to You versus your earlier work on Heartland?
It depends on the role. I first go through the script many times and write out what is given to me, and I fill in the blanks on who this person is; history, hopes, dreams, fears, so I can understand them on a deeper level. I also take what I know from my own personal life as that’s just as important. I use my imagination a lot too. A part like Ashley in Heartland, I had to learn how to ride a horse, so I went and took lessons for a couple months. In Warming Up to You, I played a personal trainer, so I worked out a lot leading up to its production and watched a lot of videos of Personal Trainers in action.
As a Canadian actress, do you feel that your roots have influenced your acting style or the type of roles you’re drawn to?
I’m also a French Canadian from Quebec, so I’m sure that’s all influenced me to some capacity. My family, life and experiences will always be a part of me and subsequently be a part of the character choices I make. I think that’s what makes every actor unique. We each bring different baggage, perspectives and views. Over time, that changes and evolves and so do the roles I get to play.
Many actors have unique rituals or superstitions when preparing for a big role. Do you have any personal pre-shoot or on-set routines that help you get into character?
Meditation is a big part of it for me and visualizations. I typically record my lines and listen to them in my headset, while I go for a walk or while in my trailer, to keep them fresh in my brain.
How have you seen the landscape of Canadian television and film evolve throughout your career, and what are some of the most exciting changes or opportunities that you’ve witnessed firsthand?
There are so many incredibly talented artists in Canada. I’ve seen Canadian Television gain a lot more notoriety and respect on a bigger scale all around the world. I think streaming services have had a hand in that because there’s more access to the content and Heartland is a big example of that.
What’s next for you in your career? Are there any genres or types of roles you’re particularly excited to explore in the future?
Behind the scenes, I’m working on creating and producing my own projects and hoping that leads to directing opportunities too. As for acting, I’d love to do a pure comedy. I absolutely love making people laugh and being silly, so that would be a dream come true.
