I asked these following questions about season 4:
1. Will we see more of the other characters from season 1?
Because the town has changed so much from Season 1, and there are so many new citizens, we don’t really feature any of the original characters from Season 1, except our regular cast members. This is one of the challenges of filming a TV series in a film-friendly place like Vancouver. The good news is there are lots of great actors to choose from. The bad news is there are always dozens of other movies and TV shows are get to choose also, so the competition for talent is very heavy. Actors love playing characters on our show, but they also need to work and when other shows and movies can offer them more episodes, we understand they need to provide for their families. We also have a challenge with our Hope Valley kids from season to season. Because we only film 4-5 months out of the year, sometimes our child actors really grow up fast, so it makes it hard to bring all the same kids back year after year.
2. Will we ever find out why pastor Frank wanted a door on the pulpit?
At our Hearties Family Reunion, Mark Humphrey speculated about what he believed should be in the secret compartment: First, a still-loaded revolver his Father was loading when he was killed long ago. Second, a photo of his Mother who died when his Father died. And third, the Bible from his stay at Granville Penitentiary with the St. Francis prayer he inscribed on the back. Now this is what Mark says… the writers are saying anything!
3. We know Mayor Gowen has done bad things… will his secrets ever come out?
Well, as Pastor Frank says in Season 4, Episode 3… “The problem with sin is that it rarely stays private” – I think it’s safe to say Mayor Gowen’s sins will find him out. We are already seeing that happen with the investigation into the possibility that he swindled money from the town. Cover ups rarely work, as we have seen down through history, and they won’t work in Hope Valley if I have anything to say about it!
4. We know Elizabeth caught the bouquet. Will she finally get married?
You don’t really think I can fully answer that question, do you? Look, we know what the Hearties seem to want more than anything for “When Calls the Heart.” And we hope to grant the desires of their collective hearts, but that doesn’t mean that we have to grant them exactly the way Hearties hope. I learned long ago that what I want out of life is not always what I need most. So just because Hearties think they want a wedding doesn’t mean that will make them happiest. I’ll leave the answer right there.
5. We all know Elizabeth is a terrible cook but getting better, who really cooks the food?
None of our actors actually cook any of the food that is depicted in the episodes. There’s just no time for them to do that with all that they have to prepare for in their acting responsibilities. Our fine Prop Department team creates all the “picture food” that our actors consume in scenes… from all the full plates for Abigail’s customers… to Elizabeth’s experiments to try out on Jack. One tip: if anybody ever offers you movie food… just say “no.” Your intestines will thank me. It is usually very bland, very cold and very stale by the end of filming a scene. The fact that our actors seem to “enjoy” it on camera is a tribute to their fine acting skills.
6. What is Rosemary real job besides being an actress?
In season 4, you’re going to get your answer to that question. Besides being an actress and gossip columnist, wife of an entrepreneur and everybody’s favorite nosey body, Rosemary will get to try her hand at helping in the café kitchen and designing haute couture in Hope Valley. She may even stick her nose into some other businesses, too.
7. Will there ever be a dress shop that a widow opens up?
The short answer is… if you haven’t seen Season 4, Episode 3 yet… what are you waiting for?
8. Will we ever see insides of the buildings we only see from the outside?
Every season, we try to build out the interior sets of more of the buildings in Hope Valley. This adds to the locations we can shoot in and makes the town feel more real and vibrant. This season, we are adding the Railroad Office and Dottie’s Dress Shop (see the answer above) and maybe a few others, which I won’t spoil. There are now only a handful of storefronts for which we haven’t yet finished the interiors. If Hearties can help bring us back for Season 5, maybe well put in a movie theater!
9. Without giving too much away about season 4 what do you think will be the biggest challenge for Hope Valley?
I would say the biggest challenge for Hope Valley (and for Hearties) is the unpredictability of life’s circumstances. Sometimes people and events let us down. Sometimes God allows us to go through circumstances that are meant for our benefit, but very difficult to see past. And other times, even tiny events lead us to incredible personal breakthroughs we never thought we’d experience. How’s that for mysterious and vague and spoiler-free?
Because the town has changed so much from Season 1, and there are so many new citizens, we don’t really feature any of the original characters from Season 1, except our regular cast members. This is one of the challenges of filming a TV series in a film-friendly place like Vancouver. The good news is there are lots of great actors to choose from. The bad news is there are always dozens of other movies and TV shows are get to choose also, so the competition for talent is very heavy. Actors love playing characters on our show, but they also need to work and when other shows and movies can offer them more episodes, we understand they need to provide for their families. We also have a challenge with our Hope Valley kids from season to season. Because we only film 4-5 months out of the year, sometimes our child actors really grow up fast, so it makes it hard to bring all the same kids back year after year.
2. Will we ever find out why pastor Frank wanted a door on the pulpit?
At our Hearties Family Reunion, Mark Humphrey speculated about what he believed should be in the secret compartment: First, a still-loaded revolver his Father was loading when he was killed long ago. Second, a photo of his Mother who died when his Father died. And third, the Bible from his stay at Granville Penitentiary with the St. Francis prayer he inscribed on the back. Now this is what Mark says… the writers are saying anything!
3. We know Mayor Gowen has done bad things… will his secrets ever come out?
Well, as Pastor Frank says in Season 4, Episode 3… “The problem with sin is that it rarely stays private” – I think it’s safe to say Mayor Gowen’s sins will find him out. We are already seeing that happen with the investigation into the possibility that he swindled money from the town. Cover ups rarely work, as we have seen down through history, and they won’t work in Hope Valley if I have anything to say about it!
4. We know Elizabeth caught the bouquet. Will she finally get married?
You don’t really think I can fully answer that question, do you? Look, we know what the Hearties seem to want more than anything for “When Calls the Heart.” And we hope to grant the desires of their collective hearts, but that doesn’t mean that we have to grant them exactly the way Hearties hope. I learned long ago that what I want out of life is not always what I need most. So just because Hearties think they want a wedding doesn’t mean that will make them happiest. I’ll leave the answer right there.
5. We all know Elizabeth is a terrible cook but getting better, who really cooks the food?
None of our actors actually cook any of the food that is depicted in the episodes. There’s just no time for them to do that with all that they have to prepare for in their acting responsibilities. Our fine Prop Department team creates all the “picture food” that our actors consume in scenes… from all the full plates for Abigail’s customers… to Elizabeth’s experiments to try out on Jack. One tip: if anybody ever offers you movie food… just say “no.” Your intestines will thank me. It is usually very bland, very cold and very stale by the end of filming a scene. The fact that our actors seem to “enjoy” it on camera is a tribute to their fine acting skills.
6. What is Rosemary real job besides being an actress?
In season 4, you’re going to get your answer to that question. Besides being an actress and gossip columnist, wife of an entrepreneur and everybody’s favorite nosey body, Rosemary will get to try her hand at helping in the café kitchen and designing haute couture in Hope Valley. She may even stick her nose into some other businesses, too.
7. Will there ever be a dress shop that a widow opens up?
The short answer is… if you haven’t seen Season 4, Episode 3 yet… what are you waiting for?
8. Will we ever see insides of the buildings we only see from the outside?
Every season, we try to build out the interior sets of more of the buildings in Hope Valley. This adds to the locations we can shoot in and makes the town feel more real and vibrant. This season, we are adding the Railroad Office and Dottie’s Dress Shop (see the answer above) and maybe a few others, which I won’t spoil. There are now only a handful of storefronts for which we haven’t yet finished the interiors. If Hearties can help bring us back for Season 5, maybe well put in a movie theater!
9. Without giving too much away about season 4 what do you think will be the biggest challenge for Hope Valley?
I would say the biggest challenge for Hope Valley (and for Hearties) is the unpredictability of life’s circumstances. Sometimes people and events let us down. Sometimes God allows us to go through circumstances that are meant for our benefit, but very difficult to see past. And other times, even tiny events lead us to incredible personal breakthroughs we never thought we’d experience. How’s that for mysterious and vague and spoiler-free?
I want to thank Brian Bird for so generously willing to answer these questions for the Hearties.
To read more interviews with Brian Bird click here:
Interview One
Interview Two
Interview Three
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