WHEN CALLS THE HEART, AcTING, HALLMARK
Join me as I sit down with the talented Loretta Walsh, who brings the beloved Florence Yost to life on When Calls the Heart. In this candid Q&A, Loretta reflects on Florence’s growth, her memorable moments, and the heartwarming dynamics in Hope Valley. From Florence’s evolution over the seasons to her playful side, Loretta opens up about what she wishes for her character and shares behind-the-scenes stories that fans will love.
Q: Can you talk about how Florence has grown over the years? But what’s still the same about her?
A: She’s gone on such an evolution, hasn’t she? When I think back to her very first scene in Season 1, Episode 1—a fun fact is that we didn’t shoot that in order. We actually filmed it at the end of the season when it was snowing, even though we had started in August when it was so hot. It was a real journey.
She has bloomed and blossomed. When I first started playing Florence, I saw her as someone in a lot of emotional pain. She was cranky, judgmental, and controlling, and I think that was her way of coping. But over the years, she’s found healing.
She’s found healing in her community, in her dear friends, in having purpose, in falling in love with Ned, and in getting her first job at the switchboard. Of course, she’s made mistakes. She still has a penchant for being very interested in other people’s business, and at times, she can be a little gossipy—I call her a ‘communication specialist.’
But she still has strong opinions and a natural suspicion of anything new. That hasn’t changed. Thankfully, her friends and Ned have helped her soften and open up over the years.
Q: Can you talk a little bit about that moment with Florence at the radio table discussing the comic books?
A: Oh, my goodness! I loved that script, written by Derek Thompson, who’s been with the show for many seasons. I just thought, ‘Oh yeah, this is Flo.’ She has an opinion. She doesn’t like it.
I’m sort of embarrassed to say that there’s a part of me that’s like that too! I get suspicious of new technology, AI—things I don’t fully understand. So in a way, I can relate. But the saving grace of Florence is that, at the end of the day, she’s just trying to fit in, to belong. Her heart is in the right place. She’s such a fun character to play because she has to learn, make mistakes, and then realize, ‘Oh, okay, I overreacted’ or ‘I judged too quickly.’
That scene in the saloon with Rosemary and the radio show—it was actually my first day of shooting for Season 12! And what a mouthful! I couldn’t believe all the dialogue. I was stumbling over words, possibly saying something different every take, because there were so many moving parts.
The director, Mike Rohl, decided to block-shoot it, meaning we did the whole long scene from one angle before moving on. The challenge with that is, after a while, the words start to feel nonsensical—like I’d already said the same ridiculous sentences 500 times! But it was really fun, and we got it in the end.
I was especially delighted because I improvised a line at the end—‘Broccoli is for eating, not deflecting space rays!’ That wasn’t in the script, but they kept it! It’s such a collaborative process on this show. The directors, writers, producers, and crew really allow us as actors to bring our own flair. Not every improv moment makes it into the final cut, but this one did, and I was thrilled.
It was also fun to revisit that persnicketiness of Florence. There’s something really funny about a character who wants to be in control—of herself and everyone else—only to find herself completely out of control!
Q: Florence’s growth has been closely tied to her relationship with Ned. How did that come to be? Were you surprised when you found out this was the direction for her?
A: Oh, thank you for saying that! I love working with Hrothgar Mathews. He’s become a very dear friend and a wonderful creative collaborator. We have so many laughs together, and he’s just an incredibly kind and smart guy. I really enjoy him.
Honestly? I asked for it! The showrunner asked me, ‘What have you not done on the show that you’d like to do?’ And I said, ‘I think it would be an incredible surprise for Florence to find a second love.’ It felt so out of character for her! She’s so incredibly practical, always in service to others and to Hope Valley.
I thought it could be both comedic and heartwarming—a very controlling character suddenly feeling out of control. And also, just a beautiful story about second chances at love. I loved the idea of Ned and Florence saying ‘yes’ to love and running toward it.
The showrunner loved it too and said, ‘Great! We’re going to do it. We’ll get you married by the end of the season.’ And I thought, ‘Oh! Okay!’ I didn’t know if Florence had to get married, but… there we go!
And that really started the trajectory of how Florence and Ned came to be.
Q: Can you talk a little bit about performing in those lighter moments, like when Florence sings or dances, and how the writers tap into your skills as actors for those scenes?
A: Oh, sure! The first time Hrothgar and I had to sing and dance, we both called each other up. I think I read the script and then called him, saying, ‘They’re making us sing and dance!’ Neither of us really classify ourselves as singers, especially with all the talented singers on the show, like Jack Wagner, Erin Krakow, Kevin McGarry, and Pascale Hutton. We were a little intimidated, honestly!
But Hrothgar and I have a theater background, so we both approached it with the same sensibility. We knew we had to get our act together so we wouldn’t be the problem when we got on set. There’s so much involved in making sure we’re in the right spot, hitting the right notes, and getting the choreography down.
Hrothgar came over, and we figured out the choreography together. We had an excellent composer and director who worked closely with us to make sure everything was just right. It was all about collaboration.
One moment that stands out is when Florence had to sing during Ned’s health scare before they got married. Peter DeLuise directed that episode, and I remember going to him and saying, ‘I’d like to change a little bit about where the song starts because I think it’s important to end in a specific place.’ And again, it was such a collaborative process. The team was always so open to ideas, and even when things didn’t work out, it was always a lovely experience.
Q: What do you think was on Florence’s mind when she gave Nathan the wedding bouquet in Season 8, Episode 11, a moment fans have dubbed the “surge warming scene”?
A: I don’t really know for sure, honestly. Sometimes these moments are written in without us knowing if there’s foreshadowing involved. Florence isn’t the type to stay quiet about things, but I don’t think she was shocked by Nathan and Elizabeth getting together. I also don’t think she was waiting for it to happen either—she was happy for them, but I think everyone in Hope Valley thought they made a beautiful match.
As for giving Nathan the bouquet, it could just be as simple as Florence wanting to show her appreciation for Elizabeth. Elizabeth was there for Florence, supporting her during a vulnerable time, and I think Florence just wanted to express her thanks. It could have been as simple as, ‘I’m thinking of you. You were such a good friend to me when I needed it, and I appreciate your support.’
I mean Flo, she’s really a catalyst. But she also there for a season, was just such an obstacle for Nathan. She would just always be interrupting at inopportune times. At one point she was giving him advice about not rushing into anything. LIke, what??? It’s like what she’s very free with her words.
I’ll take credit for the foreshadowing! But really, it could’ve been Florence just wanting to pass on that gesture of gratitude.
Q: Can you share what it was like to film the play in Sunday night’s episode, especially with the hilarious sound effects and the six gals on stage?
A: It was such a fun experience! Kristen Lehman, who directed that episode, was fantastic. She and Hrothgar really came up with the whole concept of Hrothgar doing those sound effects. It wasn’t initially in the script, so they got to play around with it, and it turned into this brilliant, funny moment.
Hrothgar definitely steals the show, though! But honestly, I loved the storyline. I’m all for seeing the women of Hope Valley step up and take charge. It’s so refreshing when the women can solve problems on their own without relying on the guys. Of course, I love the guys, but there’s something special about seeing the women take the reins and get it done.
And then there were the guys, isolated and trying to be a part of it. Watching them, like wiping noses and reacting to everything—it was just hilarious. It’s such a joy to be part of such an ensemble cast. The whole thing was a blast!
Q: Was there any particular reason “The Importance of Being Earnest” was chosen for the play in Sunday night’s episode, or was it just because it was available?
A: As far as I know, it was just what was handed to us, and there wasn’t any deep foreshadowing or extra meaning behind it. We simply went with it. The script gave us the direction, and it was just a fun choice.
Honestly, it was so much fun to get into character, especially when Barbara insisted on the Lady Bracknell hat. She was very particular about it, and I was happy to oblige because it really helped me get into the character. Plus, the makeup team decided on the bold red lips to complete the look, which added a nice touch to Florence’s more dramatic, performance-ready side.
It was interesting to play someone very different from Florence. She’s normally a bit more reserved, so it was nice to stretch and try on a whole new persona for the play.
Q: As we approach the final four episodes of the season, can you share anything about what we can expect?
A: I’m really excited for these last few episodes because they have such a classic Hope Valley feel. One of our own is going to need help, and as always, the community comes together to support them. When I read the script, I genuinely cried—it’s that heartfelt.
Hope Valley is a place where we’re always looking for hope, even in the toughest of times. There’s this beautiful theme throughout the show that no one ever has to go through their struggles alone. We’ll see a lot of heart in these final episodes, and I’d definitely keep some tissues close by. But the most important thing to remember is that no matter what happens, we’re all in it together.
Hope Valley really shines because it’s a community that cares for each other. No matter what hardships come their way, everyone supports each other. That’s a part of the show we all really love, and I think it’s something we all wish we had in our own lives—the kind of community where it’s okay to ask for help when things go wrong. That’s the Hope Valley way.
Q:s there anything you’re dreaming about for Florence’s character? Anything you’d like to see happen?
A: I’ve got tons of ideas, just like Florence! One thing I’d love to see explored more with Florence is her daughter, Debra. She has a daughter who lives out of town and is in college, but we haven’t really seen much of that relationship yet.
As a mother myself, I’m really curious about how Florence navigates that dynamic, especially with her daughter being away. I think it would be fascinating to see what Florence is like as a mom. It’s something that hasn’t been explored in depth yet, and I’d love to see that side of her character come to life.”
What kind of a mother is she, and is her daughter in complete opposition to her? Is she completely modern and free, and in opposition to Florence, or are they very similar? And so that is something that I’m curious about. And I would love to know more about that.
It’s clear that Florence Yost’s journey is far from over, and with Loretta Walsh’s infectious energy and thoughtful insights, I can’t wait to see where she takes the character next. Whether it’s exploring her role as a mother or continuing to surprise us with her quirky moments, Florence remains one of When Calls the Heart’s most memorable characters. Be sure to check out the full interview on YouTube and let me know below what you think. Of course, you can always catch daily goodies on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_heartnmotion/
Heart In Motion Media 
Leave a comment