Legacy. The definition of legacy reads as, “the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.”
When I think about the term legacy as it relates to entertainment, there are a few shows and movies that have come to mind. There are the Star Trek and Star Wars; the ER to Grey’s Anatomy; The Hunger Games to Twilight. I could go on and on. When I think about legacy when it comes to The Hallmark Channel, Countdown to Christmas is one part of their legacy. And while there are many movies that can define The Hallmark Channel’s legacy, the television show would have to be When Calls The Heart.
And a big part of who has built that for them is Erin Krakow.
Erin Krakow is an actress and producer, who plays Elizabeth Thorton on the show. She’s been there since the beginning of the show, but that’s not originally where this writer knows her from. I remember watching Army Wives back in the day and seeing her on it. The first time that I really remember seeing her on Hallmark is in the movie, It Was Always You, alongside Tyler Hynes.
Since then people have always commented on their on screen chemistry and requested them in more movies together. While I don’t disagree with that, I present a counter point. Hynes isn’t the only person that she has a natural chemistry with. Taking on the role of Elizabeth on When Calls The Heart, she’s proven that she has chemistry with more than just Hynes.
Part of what makes When Calls The Heart so good is that she’s had incredible chemistry with her co-stars such as Chris McNally, Kevin McGarry, and Daniel Lissing. All of Krakow’s co-stars bring something out of her and each one of them has brought something out of the character of Elizabeth different with each one of their relationships. However, Krakow has also made sure that Elizabeth has remained her own person with her independence, morals, and ethics.
She’s remained a strong woman that has shown resilience.
When asked if I wanted to sit down with Krakow, and talk about all things When Calls The Heart. I’d spoken to her once before – for her movie The Wedding Cottage. I wanted to talk to her about all of the things that I was curious about. However, I knew that I was there for one reason and I as the host let me into the zoom, I took a deep breath.
Not many people make me nervous, but she does. It’s as if I am standing (well sitting) in the presence of greatness. I’m in front of a woman that defines a big part of Hallmark’s legacy and I know I am going to fangirl so hard. She’s part of my legacy as a fangirl.
She come onto my computer screen, her hair curly and a big smile on her face. She’s glowing, and after such a busy 2025 between getting married, work, and her pregnancy, I have to instantly admire her resilience, her beauty and that really curly hair. And this is where my stupid no filter mouth comes in. She’s stunning. I tell her she looks so different but I love the curls, and then I admit to her I had to sit down and watch all 12 seasons – binging it – as I’d given up on the show at a point. Not because of her, but it was because I was so mad with everything with Jack.
But because it was her and I wanted to be somewhat impressed with myself I binged the 12 seasons and wrote a notebook full of notes. I don’t regret binge watching, but I do regret that my mind went blank as she became surprised at what I had done. I had good questions I wanted to ask.
But they all escaped me as she says, “I am clearly blown away and so grateful that you took the time to binge 12 seasons right in a row. That is remarkable. I’m honored. Thank you.”
I only had like 10 days to binge it and after spending so much time watching TV, definitely needed to go out and touch the grass.
I knew that two of the previous characters would be returning this season and next. This season – Brooke Shields. Next season, Lori Laughlin. Two iconic actresses who play two iconic characters. What did she feel about these two returning and how they affected the When Calls The Heart legacy.
She said, “Yes, I think you’re really touching on something very smart here, that our characters are working to create a legacy for the future. We’re seeing it with the way Lucas wants to bring this park to life. Rosemary wants the theater in the Goldie National Park. They want to name the park after their daughter.”
I took a deep breath at this point, because I was enamored. Krakow is one of those people that you hang on her every word because she has this thing that I don’t think i’ll ever be able to explain. I just see it as I sit and speak with her or I watch interviews with her and other people.
She continued, “The way Elizabeth is caring for her son, making sure that he’s going to get to live a full and healthy life. The way she’s supporting the children in her classroom and trying to give them a leg up for careers that they’re passionate about. It’s sprinkled all throughout the characters of this town. How beautiful that you were able to tie it into the return of beloved characters like Charlotte Thornton and Abigail Stanton. I am just so over the moon that these characters are getting to make their triumphant return.”
Her response made me feel like she may not see just how much of an impact she brings to the people who watch the show. Yet in that same breathe her humbleness is part of what I find so amazing about Krakow.
She just wants to make good projects and characters that makes a difference. She continued, “Brooke returned in Season 13, as we know, and she’s with us for a few episodes. We’ve continued to talk about Jack Senior over the years, as you’ve seen. I think that it makes his memory feel a little more real and a little more alive to have the character of his mother on screen with us. Especially as little Jack is having questions about his dad, the fact that she’s there to answer them for him is really very touching. Obviously, personally and professionally, I’m just so over the moon that Lori is joining us for Season 14. I could not be happier. I just think it’s going to be a real chapter of joy for her and for all of us having Abigail back in town.”
I tell her that sometimes it feels invasive to watch – sort of like The Truman Show. Only we’re watching people from a different time. A time where everything seemed more innocent – easier in a way. It’s just weird, because all of these actors are so great that they bring their characters to life, making them feel real.
I say to her, “I feel some way invasive watching it, because it feels so real and it feels so unique. At the same point, I feel like I’ve learned something about the simplicities in life. That life doesn’t have to be so overly complicated, and that you can see that even in the worst of times, like Elizabeth, she has such grit, no matter what happens. She has a way of looking at things, in my opinion, that even if she’s upset or hurt, she has this eternal optimism.”
And then I continued, “I think it affects everybody in Hope Valley. How do you maintain that, no matter what is happening in the show? With Little Jack getting diabetes and everything, I would have fallen apart. I would have been on the ground. I would have been like, “Just kill me. I’m going to be right here.” She’s like, “No, I got to get up. I got to fight. I’m going to make everything okay for my son.” She just inspires me.”
Erin smiles at me and says, “That’s so beautiful. Thank you. I can’t say that I am always a pro at that in my personal life. I think that we see Elizabeth struggle with it from time to time as well. Something that comes up in Season 13, and I’m going to butcher the quote, but content not copy here, it’s something along the lines of “when Elizabeth’s light isn’t shining within her, we need to rally around her to be that light for her. That’s the sentiment from those who love the community, Nathan.”
Queue me tearing up a bit, because I think that is absolutely beautiful.
She continued, “I think you’re right that most of the time she does offer that warmth and that light and that glow to those around her as a supportive friend, teacher, partner, but she’s also human. Yes, she’s going to do what she needs to do to protect her son and make those choices, but she’s not necessarily going to be glowing while she does it. It’s really beautiful to see the ways that the other residents of Hope Valley rally around her to glow for her, so to speak.”
Just watching Erin speak, I think about Elizabeth and the love that she has to give and the love that she receives. Too much love? Na, there’s never enough.
She smiles and says, “I think we play different roles for different people in our lives, I guess. I think that those relationships have different dynamics and different kinds of love stories. The love that she has for her son is unconditional and maternal, and silly. The love that she has for Rosemary is a deep and enduring friendship, also silly. We have Pascale to thank for that. The love that she has for Nathan is obviously more romantic and tender, and can be very vulnerable and supportive. They’re just all kinds of unique and layered love stories. What an honor to get to tell them in unique and different ways every season.”
I smile and receive the message in the zoom chat that we need to wrap up, so it’s last question. I’m still stuck in my mind thinking about the impact this show has and the legacy that it will leave. So I ask her, what legacy she hopes to leave. She asks if I mean personally, but I say no, with the show. I’m one of those weird interviewers who never wants to ask about anyones personal life. That’s theirs.
But what she does share with us is vulnerability, strength, and perseverance as an actor. Giving that much of herself to all of us is something that I think we are extremely blessed to have.
She replies, “I became an actor, I think, because– It’s a long story, but I’d say part of the reason I enjoy being an actor is because I am able to take people on emotional journeys. I can support them as they laugh and cry through the stories that we tell. I think in many ways our show, though it takes place in the early 1900s, it’s still full of humanity and themes that are very recognizable today.”
And then adds, “I think getting to hold up a mirror to humanity, to take our viewers on a journey that feels human and relatable and emotional, that’s a real honor. The fact that for so many of our fans, the Hardys, When Calls the Heart represents a safe and comforting space for them. A show that has gotten them through hard times, good times. It’s just very meaningful to have been a part of something so special, and I hope it continues for many years.”
We exchange a few more sentences and I exit out of the zoom quickly. Not because anything was wrong, but because I knew I was going to start crying. Not because anything was wrong, but because I was happy. I appreciated the moments and the time she invested speaking to me. There was happiness because someone I admire took the moments to speak to me. That is a gift and I was so blessed to receive.
When Calls The Heart, I don’t know what its legacy will be, but it will leave one. I can’t even begin to imagine what the people of Hope Valleys legacy will be. I can’t even tell you mine.
But Erins?
Well, I believe a big part of hers will be that she reminded people how to feel, to take in the moments, and never let your dreams go. She gave and continues to give all of herself in roles that make people feel things and believe in themselves.
We believe that is a damn good legacy to leave.
When Calls The Heart airs Sundays on The Hallmark Channel and the next day on Hallmark+.
