After 18 seasons, Heartland, the beloved Canadian drama, continues to captivate audiences with its rich storytelling and dynamic characters. Set on the Bartlett ranch in Alberta, the series has become a cornerstone of Canadian television, blending the daily challenges of running a working ranch with the personal lives and loves of its characters.
Season 18: Navigating Real-Life Challenges
This season, Heartland faces one of its most pressing real-life challenges: a devastating drought. The story arc, which mirrors the actual drought conditions faced by ranchers in Alberta, was planned long before the recent wet season. "We were shooting a drought in one of the wettest seasons we’ve ever felt," says Amber Marshall, who plays protagonist Amy Fleming. "It was quite a challenge showing characters out there talking about how if we don’t have rain, we’re not going to make it, in this lush green pasture."
Challenge of Filming During a Wet Season
Despite the unexpected weather, the crew adapted, capturing the essence of the drought's impact on the ranch. The drought is just one of the many challenges the Bartlett family will face this season. Increased competition from Pryce Beef, a neighboring ranch, adds another layer of tension. "They are selling beef to a lot of the same venues that we would be," Marshall explains.
"It’s head-to-head rivalry with your next-door neighbor, and that’s why Lou steps up and tries to use her business background to make a go of the profitable side of the ranch."
Personal Lives and Loves
Heartland is known for its seamless integration of personal stories with the ranch's daily operations. This season, Amy's romantic entanglements will continue to evolve. She is becoming close with Nathan Pryce Jr., played by Spencer Lord, a member of the competing Pryce family. This Romeo-and-Juliet scenario adds another layer of complexity to the family dynamics. "Amy is becoming very close with Nathan, who is the neighbour they are in direct competition with," Marshall says.
"So, of course, that doesn’t sit well with Amy’s family and it causes some ups and downs in the relationship with him and the family, and she is stuck in the middle of it."
Behind the Scenes: The Heart of Heartland
Amber Marshall, now a producer on the series, is deeply involved in the horse storylines. Her background as a devoted equestrian ensures that the equine characters are well-cared for and their stories are realistic and engaging. "At the beginning of the year, we talk about the arcs and we look at the horse storylines," she says. "Does this make sense? Can we bring in new horse characters? Can we bring in new horse breeds? How is this going to work with the fundamentals of what goes on behind the scenes?"
The Showrunner's Perspective
Mark Haroun, the showrunner since Season 16, has been with Heartland from the very beginning. He attributes the show's longevity to its unique blend of family drama and real-life challenges. "It’s that combination of the cast and the kinds of stories we were telling. That sort of family drama didn’t exist on television. That audience hadn’t been tapped into. It did feel like there was something really special from Day 1," Haroun says.
Despite the show's success, the question of its end is inevitable. However, Haroun remains optimistic. "I feel like we have so many more stories to tell," he says. "I’ve never gone into the room at the beginning of the season and struggled to come up with stories because there are such rich, dynamic characters and it feels like we have so many places to go with stories. I feel like we could just keep going."
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