WHEN CALLS THE HEART, AcTING, HALLMARK
Q: One thing we know about When Calls the Heart is that it’s about heart, community, and love. Those themes always ring true, no matter the season. Being part of the show for 12 seasons, what has changed? What stands out to you in terms of progression over those seasons?
A: One of the most obvious changes is the atmospheric shift and tone change over time. When I meet someone who hasn’t watched the show and expresses interest, I always warn them: Don’t be confused by season one. It has a different look than the later seasons. By seasons two and three, you’ll notice the shift. Season one feels darker and grittier, more period-authentic. As the seasons progress, the color saturation and lighting become brighter, and the world feels more vibrant. The tone feels less gritty, though still true to the heart of the show.
The way it’s shot has evolved too—though I’m not an expert on lenses, it’s clear. The tonal world, the lighting, and the colors are more saturated and visually warm. It’s brighter and more uplifting, but still faithful to the show’s core.
Alysse, who directed some lovely episodes this season, she had a beautiful shot with the horses in the field—such a stunning example of how the show is stepping up visual storytelling with those cinematic moments.
Q: When it comes to your role as Molly, is there a moment or season that stands out to you?
A: It’s tricky, but a few moments immediately come to mind. For fans who’ve been there since season one, Telling Silence is a meaningful episode for me. It was beautiful when Rosaline went missing, and the community rallied to find her. The storyline was heartbreaking, but ultimately redemptive.
It was also fun when Molly faked dated Lee and helped bring Lee and Rosemary together. It was charming, and a nice opportunity to show a comedic side of Molly. When Florence got married, I got to express my love and devotion to her—that was meaningful. And flirting with Bill was fun! Jack Wagner is great, and we had a great time together.
And of course, when Rosaline returned—it was lovely for so many reasons.
Q: Florence and Molly and Loretta and Johannah—both very unique and special relationships. Can you talk about what that means to you?
A: Loretta has mentioned this many times, and I feel the same. One of the things that drew her to the show was the female friendships, especially in the first season. She was moved by that, and I was too. Loretta and I both have powerful, meaningful female friendships in our lives. To play characters who are “ride or die” besties is really special. How many actors get to play a friendship over 12 years?
Loretta and I bonded quickly. She’s a fantastic person, and over the years, we’ve gone through a lot in our personal lives and on the show. We’ve experienced long hours, changing weather, and all the challenges that come with being on a film set. You bond through those experiences. Loretta became a mother, and my daughter grew up and went to university. We’ve shared a lot—loss, growth, everything. We’ve been there for the highs and the lows.
It’s so organic that Loretta and I have this connection on screen. There’s really no acting required. Of course, we’re not exactly like our characters, but the sisterhood we share is real.
Every time I’m driving to work, especially if I get to have a scene with Loretta, I think, “I’m getting paid to hang out with a woman I adore.” It’s amazing. I’m always so touched when fans respond to our friendship. We have each other’s backs, and the characters are nuanced enough to show both their wonderful and not-so-wonderful qualities. As friends, we gently tease those flaws but have compassion for each other’s faults.
It’s always touching when Florence understands Molly’s behavior, knowing it’s coming from a place of insecurity, or when she sees Florence’s uptightness as a sign of caring. That’s the beauty of true friendship.
Q: Molly follows Jed, and Florence is caught off guard, like maybe there’s something going on. It was a cute moment. Will we see more of these interactions?
A: It is a cute moment, brief but full of subtext. Florence answers from an entrepreneurial perspective, saying, “It’s the free market,” and Molly responds with, “Could you be a little more compassionate?” As Molly leaves, Florence has a moment of realization, and by the time she says it aloud, Rosemary is there. It’s a sweet moment. Then, Molly, a bit annoyed, says, “Don’t forget about Bridge,” and I didn’t expect them to keep it in the edit, but they did!
Q: Will we see more “Flo-Mo” moments this season?
A: Yes, we have a few more coming up! Our cast is large, which is wonderful, but it means we only have so many minutes on screen. There may not be as many “Flo-Mo” moments as the audience would love, but we do have a couple more before the season ends. Let’s hope in season 13, we’ll have more opportunities for “Flo-Mo” moments!
Q: Speaking of Molly’s relationships, I was a big fan of Molly and Bill. It seemed like there was potential, but it quickly ended with “it’s best to remain friends.” What do you think happened with Bill and Molly?
A: I can make up my own version since it happened off-screen. We had that funny scene in the car with the driving lessons, then went on a journey together. Ultimately, we had a conversation where we agreed that while we enjoyed each other’s company, a romantic relationship just wasn’t in the cards.
I think it’s a simple case of new writers bringing fresh ideas. It wasn’t that they disliked the storyline, but they had their own direction for the characters. Jack and I had a great time filming those scenes, and there was nothing awkward about it—it was just a change in direction from the writers.
Q: It was fun seeing hints of romance between Molly and Jed this season. Elise mentioned that she would have loved to direct the continuation of their relationship. What are your thoughts on that?
A: I’m honored she felt that way. It’s special and important to show that love can come later in life. Whether from a loss or the end of a marriage, people still want to love and connect. For me, as someone in middle age, it’s especially poignant and meaningful. While young love is always beautiful, there’s something tender about love later in life.
The moments between Molly and Jed, like the scene outside the dance, were sweet and vulnerable. They’re both strong, independent people, but their awkwardness and shyness are relatable. No matter your age, there’s something sweet and universal about those first moments of connection.
Q: Was the idea of Molly and Jed pitched to you, or did it just show up in the script?
A: The showrunners told me they wanted to explore something for Molly, and they’d seen enough fan support for the relationship online to spark the idea. They thought Jed Campbell was a great fit, and that’s how it came about. So, it actually came from the fans.
Q: Alysse directed the dance moment between Molly and Jed. That was beautiful. Can you talk about that moment?
A: Oh, absolutely! It was late at night, around 2 AM, and we were shooting outside. The lighting, thanks to Andrew Crippen, created such a magical atmosphere with beautiful fairy lights. Alysse made sure to give us the time the scene needed to breathe. She had a clear vision, and as actors, it was great to feel supported.
Daniel is a wonderful actor, and our moments just flowed naturally. We didn’t over-rehearse—we let things happen organically. The slight beats and pauses felt fresh and real. It was sweet to see these strong characters feel a little bashful and vulnerable.
Q: Molly wore a new dress in that scene, right?
A: Oh, goodness! Well, spotted she did, and it was kind of a new silhouette for Molly, Some of the women who have been around for a long time aren’t considered fashion trailblazers, and maybe they’re a little bit of the more mature characters. I wouldn’t say resistant to change, but it’s not like they have endless money to be spending on the latest fashion. Barbara’s done her slight tweaks as the seasons have gone along to take it from the full 1910 pioneer prairie look to a little bit more modern. The hemlines have gone a little bit up, but my character has has always had a cinched waist. And so that was the first time that I had a slightly more sort of 1920s, silhouette with a little bit more of a drop waist a little bit looser. I was like Barbara, I don’t know if I have the physique for the waist to not be emphasized. I’ve got hips, and she was like, oh, don’t be silly. It looks great. She chose a beautiful dress, but of course I was a little bit like, Are you? Does this? Is this going to look good on camera like I’m not very tall. But, it was a lovely dress. It’s a beautiful color. And I and I felt like a million bucks in it.
Q: We noticed the dress! It looked great, and the costuming was beautiful. We also saw that Molly and Jed will be sitting together at dinner in the upcoming episode.
A: Yes! There’s a cute moment with them sharing some giggles. It’s a small moment, but I’m excited for the Hearties to see it. It’s a hint of more to come, with seeds being planted for the future.
Q: We saw a new character, Ava, introduced this season in Episode 5. You’ve worked with Tiera before, right?
A: Yes, it’s so fun to reconnect with her! We worked together over 10 years ago when she played my daughter in a TV movie. It’s amazing to see how much she’s grown, both as an actress and as a person. Watching her become more comfortable in her own skin has been really special.
Q: Speaking of relationships, is there anyone on When Calls the Heart you’d like to see Molly have more screen time with?
A: I’d love to have more scenes with Kayla (Fiona), for example. I’ve never had a full scene with her, though we’ve shared a quick hug. I’d also like to work with Henry, Joseph Canfield, and Allie. Honestly, I’m open to whatever they throw at me—I love our cast and the characters they play!
Q: The women of Hope Valley save the day in the last episode. Can you share a bit about that moment and what it was like filming it? I imagine there were many cast members in the room, playing along with the play.
A: It was so fun! The women dressed as men looked fabulous—dapper and gorgeous. Loretta in her hat, Rosemary’s old coat, and me in Molly’s fun dress—it was a blast. I even got to play with English accents! And a special shout-out to Hrothgar, who stole the scene with his sound effects, shoes, and smooching—it was delightful.
What was adorable was that even though the audience wasn’t on camera, a few people stayed to make it feel like a live performance. Erin was there, clapping and enjoying the play, which was so sweet. She’s such a team player. A play within a play—it’s a delightful trope! Filming it was so much fun, and though we only have 42 minutes per episode, I would’ve loved to see the play go on a little longer.
Q: Another great moment was in the infirmary when Molly and Faith reveal who’s behind the curtain. Can you talk about that moment?
A: Oh, I’m glad you noticed that! It was so technical. The infirmary set is a bit tight with the camera gear, crew, and cast. Then you add the curtains, and Kristen Lehman, the director, kept apologizing to me, asking me to hit marks and make sure the curtains weren’t shaking. We had to make sure everything lined up perfectly—it was like being sneaky, skulking around! But it was fun. Kristen’s vision was so clear, and it all came together beautifully. It felt like a British comedy with one door closing and another opening. The men behind the curtain were shivering—it was a cute, fun moment!
Q: Looking forward, we know Molly is great at eavesdropping—how will that skill come into play for the rest of the season?
A: Well, I think her eavesdropping is winding down, but we’ll still see it! In the last episode and this week’s trailer, she overhears a rude gentleman on the phone, which piques her interest. Of course, she listens even harder! She later brings up seeing Ally and Oliver talking to him, and Oliver recognizes him from a poster. Molly’s eavesdropping leads to important info that drives the plot forward. It’s a dramatic, intense episode, so eavesdropping can be a good thing!
Q: That episode looks exciting, with lots of action and more with Lucas and Edie. What else can you tease about what’s coming?
A: There’s a lot happening! The storyline with Angela is especially beautiful—Vienna does an incredible job with it, and it’s really meaningful. I’m invested in the show too! I live-tweet and sometimes get so caught up in the moment I forget to tweet—so that’s how much I enjoy it, even though I’m in it.
Q: In Episode 11, we know little Jack will fall ill. Will Molly be involved in that storyline?
A: Yes, Molly will be involved. Little Jack is in the infirmary, and since I work there with Faith, I’m there to help. Seeing a child ill is heartbreaking, and that episode is very emotional—it definitely tugs at the heartstrings.
Q: There’s been talk about a big obstacle coming up that will affect Nathan, Elizabeth, and the whole community. Can you share how Molly might be involved?
A: I can’t give too much away, but the obstacle relates to Molly’s role in the infirmary. It’s a challenging situation for Nathan and Elizabeth, and because Hope Valley is a small community, it affects everyone. It will be a poignant, moving, and difficult moment for everyone. There’s drama, but there’s also a soft place to land. There’s heart in it too, so don’t worry!
Q: Is there a storyline you’d love for Molly to explore?
A: I’d love to see Molly and Jed’s relationship deepen. Maybe they could go on a date—possibly even a double date with Florence and Ned! There’d be so many comedic moments. Daniel, who plays Jed, is a fantastic comedic actor. There’s a moment coming up where his comedy had everyone laughing—it was great! So, I’d love to dive into the funny, sweet, and awkward moments with Jed.
Q: What word stands out to describe the last four episodes?
A: I’d say “relief.” After everything that happens, there’s a huge sense of relief that things end up on the right side. “Community” also stands out because we really come together as a town, which is always heartwarming. And for me, “poignancy” stands out. Angela’s journey as a blind young woman—how she navigates her world and decides to get an education—is so powerful.
Q: Johannah, do you have any upcoming projects we should be looking out for?
A: Thanks for asking! I have two movies in the works—a Christmas rom-com and one set in Ireland. Some When Calls the Heart cast members are involved, so I’m hoping to make those happen. I had such a great time working with Erin on Blind Date Book Club, and I’d love to work with my talented When Calls the Heart colleagues again. I can’t share too much yet, but I’m really hoping to get these projects off the ground!
With new relationships blossoming and emotional moments unfolding, Johannah Newmarch continues to bring depth and heart to her character. Fans can’t wait to see how Molly’s story will evolve—and with an incredible cast and crew by her side, the best is yet to come. You can watch the full interview here and be sure to head over to Instagram stephanie.heartnmotion to let me know what you think.
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