‘When Calls the Heart’ Stars Tease a ‘Roller Coaster’ in Season 8 (VIDEO)
Early in the new season of Hallmark’s hit frontier drama When Calls the Heart, an emotional Elizabeth Thornton (Erin Krakow) hurtles across a field on a fast-galloping horse as music swells. We can’t tell you if she’s speeding toward or away from someone, but it’s safe to say that her love triangle with hero Mountie Nathan Grant (Kevin McGarry) and adventurous saloon owner/oilman Lucas Bouchard (Chris McNally) is finally coming to a head in Season 8.
“I can assure you we will have an answer,” promises Krakow, who’s also a co–executive producer of Heart, which is based on Janette Oke’s Canadian West novels. “Elizabeth makes a choice this season. It’s time.”
“Hearties” the show’s ardent fans, agree. The Hope Valley teacher became a widow in Season 5 when her husband, Mountie Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing), was killed in the line of duty; at the time, she was pregnant with their son, Little Jack. Season 6 ended with Elizabeth and Lucas sharing a dance while Nathan looked on with puppy-dog eyes. Last April’s Season 7 finale, watched by a series high 4.1 million people (including delayed viewing), climaxed with her hugging Nathan after fearing he’d been killed transporting a prisoner.
When the story resumes, a few months have passed, and the understandably cautious Elizabeth remains torn between her worthy suitors. New showrunner John Tinker (cocreator of the network’s Chesapeake Shores) can relate — the writers went back and forth on their choice too. “One day we’d feel this way, and the next day we’d feel that way, and the next day another way,” he says. “It was not a decision made lightly, or early.”
(Credit: Hallmark)
Explains Krakow: “The Hearties were champions of Jack and Elizabeth for such a long time, it was really important to us that whoever Elizabeth ends up with, it’s not just the next guy in her life [but] another great love for her.”
Fans have picked their teams — Tinker estimates an equal 50-50 split — but loyalties may shift as we dig deeper into the dreamboats. Lucas, who bolted town to clear his head after witnessing the aforementioned chaste embrace (it’s 1918!), returns in the premiere wanting one thing: to see Elizabeth happy. “Lucas isn’t looking to ‘fight’ for Elizabeth per se, but he wants what’s best for her,” says McNally, noting that Lucas “appreciates Elizabeth more than anything in the world.”
He’s always supported her writing career, which continues when his mother, prickly editor Helen (Teryl Rothery), visits town and helps fine-tune Elizabeth’s forthcoming first novel. “Helen is as sharp as a tack and picks up on the [triangle] immediately,” McNally says. “She cuts to the chase with her questions, putting Lucas in the hot seat.” Helen also places Elizabeth in a tough spot when she asks her to keep a family secret from Lucas.
Nathan, on the other hand, finds his brush with death has given him a “more focused and direct outlook,” McGarry says. “He’s ready to commit to what he wants.” He’ll be less reserved in his pursuit of Elizabeth. “Fans have equated it to a shyness, but we uncover what has been behind that behavior,” the actor hints. Nathan also hopes to formally adopt his 12-year-old niece, Allie (Jaeda Lily Miller), whose estranged dad surfaces. “It’s one of my favorite relationships to play,” McGarry says. “A man trying to raise a little girl to be a woman, and a little girl teaching him what it means to be a man.”
(Credit: Hallmark)
Krakow looks at the season as a “heartwarming roller coaster,” and the rest of Hope Valley’s residents have their own ups and downs. Elizabeth’s best friends and neighbors, happily married Rosemary (Pascale Hutton) and Leland Coulter (Kavan Smith), counsel newlyweds Clara (Eva Bourne) and Jesse Flynn (Aren Buchholz) through growing pains. Dr. Carson Shepherd (Paul Greene) and his love, Faith Carter (Andrea Brooks), need to find their rhythm again now that she’s home from med school in Chicago. Spunky Fiona Miller (Kayla Wallace) opens a barber shop, and stoic Henry Gowen’s (Martin Cummins) health issues persist.
The Canfields, a Black family whose patriarch is a former pastor, receive a warm welcome. Joseph (Viv Leacock) and wife Minnie (Natasha Burnett) have two children, 10-year-old Cooper and blind 14-year-old Angela (played by Leacock’s real-life offspring, Elias and Vienna).
And last but not least, trusty judge but mediocre cook Bill Avery (Jack Wagner) takes on a new role: bachelor about town. Gossip-loving redhead Molly Sullivan (Johannah Newmarch) begins flirting with him. “This is a little cat-and-mouse game, which is just going to be fun,” Wagner says with a laugh. “Elizabeth’s romance is the key situation.” Patience, Hearties. Patience!
When Calls the Heart, Season 8 Premiere, Sunday, February 21, 9/8c, Hallmark Channel
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Team Nathan..he is more suited for her and would make little Jack a great stepdad!!! And he truly loves her!!!
19 9
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O
Team Lucas. The romance between them are more exciting and makes us wanting for more. Nathan needs a woman that can handle daring. Elizabeth has been through enough with Jack. she deserves Lucas who better understands her needs.
14 6
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I love this show and really am rooting for Lucas. He is so romantic and Elizabeth deserves to be pampered after the last few years. He seems genuinely affectionate for her and she looks at him more dreamier then Nathan. This is the kind of romance that leaves the observer tingly. She would be so much happier and have more time for this romance. If they marry omg 2 beautiful people and show ratings sky high. They deserve each other.
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C
Team Lucas I wish that Abigail was there to help Elizabeth decides whom she wants to be with and to be Bill's love interest again.
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Well , I am for team Nathan.His shyness is sweet. I would love Elizabeth to have a daughter to raise and little Jack would love Nathan as his stepdad!
9 5
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O
Team Nathan! I would love to see the blending of their families and raising the kids together.
12 8
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P
Team Lucas for Elizabeth. They have the bond and sparks... and its new chapter and new love
18 14
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B
Team Nathan. The chemistry between them is amazing. She has flirtation with Lucas and never has to search him out. Nathan is more suited to Elizabeth.
8 5
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O
Of course, it must be Nathan. She chose Jack though his job was risky. It only makes sense that she would choose someone with similar traits. Besides Nathan is already settled seeing he's raising his niece. He already knows about family life.
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I'm totally with you about everything you said! I am #teamNathan & I'm all for #teamluciona !!! I think Lucas & Fiona are a perfect match. They both have eyes for business & love to travel. I do think that the writers will put Elizabeth with Lucas & with Carson leaving they will pair Nathan with Faith...I don't like those outcomes bc I think Elizabeth should be with Nathan...I think the blended family would be great & I think Jack would rather have Nathan help raise his son than Lucas...
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G
It is confusing for the viewer as a month ago Elizabeth admitted to Nathan that she could not bear to lose him as she lost Jack as it would hurt too much as she realizes her feelings for Nathan run deeper than she can handle. Overnight she turns to 'safe' Lucas whom she is attracted to but has no deep passion for. Last week the 'lady' Elizabeth actually looked like she was trying to seduce Lucas and this was totally out or character for her and the supposedly steamy fan act was pathetic. Try as she might, Elizabeth knows in her heart of hearts that oil and water just do not and will not mix. I believe Jack is watching over Elizabeth and Baby Jack. He knows Nathan adores her and loves her baby and is guiding her to drop the fear and protective walls she has put around herself so she cannot be hurt that badly again.
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R
Team Nathan. Sweet family man
And so perfect for Elizabeth.
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O
It is so predictable; much to my dislike Elizabeth will choose Nathan over Lucas, who is far more appealing. What will happen to Lucas; will he remain as saloon owner/oilman or will he ride into the sunset with a broken heart? I will depart as a viewer, not willing to endure the lack of spark between Elizabeth and Nathan. There must be that "spark" or the romance will not work!
3 2
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Team Nathan for Elizabeth.
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P
Definitely team Nathan! Love a Lucas, but have always wanted Lucas with Fiona. They are far better a match. Nathan is a superb match for Elizabeth as well.
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O
actually stopped watching this glorified soap. Watching Elizabeth is like watching an eighteen year old trying to decide who she should ask to the prom!!!
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O
what chemistry?????
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B
Team Lucas who genuinely loves her. Two intellectuals who share so many interests and passions and share an attraction and passion for each other. Nathan is not her equal in any way and the fact Nathan's ego and willfulness caused Jack's death will always be between them. I will be greatly disappointed if Elizabeth chooses Nathan.
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G
Team Lucas!!!
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I truly hope Elizabeth picks Lucas he’s a much better match
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Team Nathan for sure
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shyness???? He is obnoxious as well as self centered- and a BIG ego.
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G
Team Nathan! Although Lucas has traveled extensively, and more worldly than Nathan, Nathan is more like Jack who she fell in love with.
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