Q AND A WITH HEARTLAND
PHOTO BY ANDREW BAKO OF
AMBER MARSHALL AND GRAHAM
WARDLE STARS OF HEARTLAND
You guys are also going to celebrate your 200th episode this season. That’s
the first time a one hour scripted show on CBC has reached that milestone.
Did you do any celebration for it when you wrapped the 200th episode?
AMBER – I feel like a large part of my life has been spent on Heartland and I
love every minute of it and I think that Heartland has taught me a lot about
myself and vice versa. We had a lot of fun on the 200th episode, it was actually
my favorite episode we filmed this year because there’s a lot of action; a lot of
horse involvement which is my favorite part. As a group it was just something
that was really special to us to be able to know we’ve reached 200 episodes, and
like you said, that doesn’t happen very often, if ever. As a group the celebration
was just felt like more of an accomplishment that we’ve all done this and we’ve
been here for 12 years and together as a group we’ve made something last 200
episodes.
GRAHAM – I also feel like when you’re in it, you know, you’re working on it,
and as an actor there’s a disconnect or delay between when you film something
and when you see it and the impact as well, so it’s sort of like catching up and ‘oh
ya, it has been 12 years, it has been a huge chunk of my life’ and it’s really special
to be a part of something this long, and so impactful on people from all over the
world for that matter. I had a girl in the airport whose parents were from Brazil
and she came up to me and said "I love the show, my parents back home love the
show", so it’s really cool to kind of know that Canada and this show is being
represented around the world in such a positive light.
Your characters of Amy and Ty, they’ve obviously grown over the last 12
years. Besides the addition of Lyndy, what do you think is the biggest
changes you’ve seen in both Amy and Ty?
AMBER – I think they’ve really matured over the years. With a television
series you have to keep viewers interested by doing a lot of break-ups and
arguments and drama and things like that, and a real relationship probably
wouldn’t have lasted the 12 years (laughs). But I think for the characters of
Amy and Ty, it’s really strengthened them and it’s become kind of a family
staple for a lot of young people who view their relationship as almost a role
model relationship. Having the introduction of Lyndy has been really cool,
because that adds a whole new element, and we get to see Amy and Ty
working together, not only as parents but this season is very special because
we get to see them working together more as well.
GRAHAM – I was going to add that as well. I think the biggest growth
point happens really this year when they finally come together and begin to
work together hand in hand on a professional level. That’s really a huge
step forward for them both, and to see them grow throughout the seasons
to a place where they’re both mature; they’re married; they have a family
and now their working together. It’s kind of like the icing on the cake; it’s a
really beautiful journey to watch those two characters evolve into.
Interview by Blaine Schlechter, CBC and JMRPR
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