‘When Calls The Heart’ Star Kevin McGarry Says Nathan Is Finally Ready to Commit
There’s nothing like a good TV love triangle, but the one between schoolteacher Elizabeth Thornton (Erin Krakow) and her two suitors, businessman Lucas Bouchard (Chris McNally) and Mountie Nathan Grant (Kevin McGarry), is coming to a (supposed) end on Hallmark’s drama hit, When Calls the Heart.
Since the sixth season, the widowed mother of little Jack has been drawn to the two viable choices. But who Elizabeth chooses and how she arrives at that decision is what the Hearties are waiting to find out when the eighth season kicks off Sunday, February 21.
In a recent interview, Krakow shared that her character faced a difficult decision, but that she’s found a great love. TV Insider talked to McGarry to get his take on the love triangle and what else is coming for Hope Valley’s favorite Mountie.
Where do Nathan and Elizabeth stand at the start of Season 8?
Kevin McGarry: Without giving too much away, I’ll say that Nathan’s near-death experience at the end of Season 7 has given him a more focused and direct outlook. He’s ready to commit to what he wants.
Nathan’s been very patient in terms if his relationship with Elizabeth. Is that still the case?
I don’t know if “patience” is the right word. Over the past two seasons, Nathan has been quite reserved in his interactions with Elizabeth, and many fans of the show have equated it to shyness. In Season 8 we dig very deep in the Elizabeth Nathan saga and uncover what’s been behind that behavior.
Nathan wants the adoption of Allie to get moving. Are there any obstacles you can tease?
There’s definitely one in the first episode of the season, and an even bigger one that sort of snowballs throughout, both having to do with Nathan’s past, and one affecting Elizabeth’s life.
Allie’s growing up; will we see that reflected in some of her stories in the new season?
Yes. It’s one of my favorite relationships to play on the show — 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.
Who is Nathan’s go-to person this season when he needs to really talk?
If not Allie, then Bill. The two of them become closer this season. It’s been fun to see the dynamic of these characters progress as they begin to trust each other more. However, unfortunately for Nathan, whether the advice is coming from Allie or Bill it’s sure to be blunt and to the point. No room to spare feelings.
Nathan and Lucas are always cordial to each other, but do you think they could ever be good friends?
If we get picked up for Season 9, ask me then!
What’s it like riding a horse during shooting? Is it fun, or are there challenges?
A solid mix of exciting and exhausting. I mean, getting to gallop around on a horse saving the day is a dream! It’s the stories we were told as children. But when you’re sweating buckets under a heavy Serge in the summer heat, your hat keeps flying back from the wind, and your horse sometimes does what he’s supposed to do and you’ve only got 20 minutes before they move to the next shot, it can get to be a lot. But I wouldn’t trade it.
Fans are dying to find out who Elizabeth chooses. Are you?
I think it’s time. I think that the relationship between Elizabeth and Jack was so special that it wouldn’t make sense to jump to another suitor so quickly. She needed a season to mourn, a season to grow, and now a season to open herself up again. And you never know what might happen in the future. I think the show’s proven that anything can happen in Hope Valley.
Here’s an on location featurette for the season 8 premiere of When Calls the Heart:
When Calls the Heart season premiere, Sunday, February 21, 9/8c, Hallmark
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Nathan over Lucas.
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I think Elizabeth will be better with Nathan. Understandable that Jack was a Mountie but Lucas almost got her killed when they met and what is up with the money in the big luggage locker. Seems a little suspicious to me. Elizabeth being a teacher seems more likely to be with a mountie than a bar owner.
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Strong, handsome Nathan - the only one for Elizabeth. Once you go Mountie, you never go back!
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Definitely Nathan, eh! The fact that he’s a Mountie does not mean that they’re going to have tragedy in their lives. Their love grew from their friendship based on their mutual concern for Allie, and it culminated at the end of S. 7 when Elizabeth revealed what her heart was telling her!
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I do not get Hallmark channel so I have not been able to watch any of the seasons that are not on Netflix. But I have been following and would live to see Elizabeth with Nathan.
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Hoping for Nathan.
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Nathan is the one for her
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Nathan, Nathan, Nathan
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Nathan would be better choice. It's not like either one of them are going out on Elizabeth. There's not many women in Hope Valley. I think little Jack would respond to Nathan better because he's a Mountie like his dad. He's not gonna remember but he will see the pic Elizabeth has in living room of Jack Sr in his Mounties outfit.
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Nathan only... not Lucas, wrong guy for her and wrong girl for him and it’s why the audience is getting anxious for it to be over. She belongs with Nathan. Lucas needs a new gal in town! Bring in Lacey Chabert, Jenn Lilly, Jill Wagner, Allison Sweeney, or Candace Cameron Bure for Lucas. An unmarried intelligent, worldly, Spicy and opinionated strong women without a child for Lucas. That’s how I would write it.
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I have no idea who Elizabeth should be with. However, Lucas' mother said he is not one to settle down. Maybe he is just romancing because he likes the chase. Nathan's love seems to be deep and Lucas' relationship reminds me of Hallmark. Definitely romantic but is he able to commit to a lasting relationship? There is more to life than a dinner with candles and such. I do not see the writers making that relationship with Lucas, deep just fun and romantic. Nathan seems to be more mature. I personally think Nathan could be romantic if the writers developed that. It seems that the writers have settled on Lucas and the triangle is over.
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I would be absolutely ecstatic if she picks Nathan! On the other hand, I will be very sad if she does not. I'm just afraid it will ruin the show for me. I mean, she is the main character!
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Nathan! Nathan! Nathan! Hands down! Without a doubt-NATHAN GRANT!!! I am sure that it's going to be the freaking saloon owner though by the way they are trying to convince us all to like him here at the end!! I don't trust him. Elizabeth has not treated Nathan right and the way they wrote Nathan's story was not right either. I'm thoroughly disgusted....
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What episode was the near death experience? I didn’t see it!
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Onde está a 7a temporada?
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I think Elizabeth would be better off with Lucas he is so handsome!!
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I know there was something Nathan wasn't saying, he would rather let Lucas have her than out her in danger plus she was falling in love with Lucas anyway.
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I am Team Lucas. He is charming and seems to be genuinely in love with her. I have found Nathan to be rather unlikeable.
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I think Lucas,
Opposites attract theory! She brings out the best in him.
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Lucas would be the best man of the two. She's already been with a mountie,anyway.
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I think she had enough heartache being married to a mountie and having him die in the line of duty.She needs a fresh start with someone who shares the same interests as her and who grew up with the same culture and background. I'm team Lucas!
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I think out of respect to Jack, she should not go with Nathan, another Mountie would just be wrong to Jack's memory. I think she and Lucas are better together,. They share love of books, he respects her talent, they have more chemistry.. definitely team Lucas, plus I think Lucas is definitely more challenging to her, you want someone who brings out the best in you, someone with a similar upbringing.
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That argument doesn't hold, Jack and her is not from the same upbringing.
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Prefer Lucas with Elizabeth
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