Amber Marshall Reflects on Heartland' Success, Amy's Journey, and Finding Love Again
People who watch Heartland think of Amber Marshall when they think of Amy Fleming. Marshall has been playing Amy for more than 15 years and in more than 250 episodes. In these episodes, Amy deals with ranch life, family dynamics, and personal challenges all set against the beautiful Canadian Rockies. As season 17 starts, Marshall reflects about how long the show has been around, how loss has changed her, and the exciting new chapter for her character.
Behind the Scenes of a Family
"We really have become quite the family," Marshall says, emphasizing the deep bonds forged over years of filming. "I think back to that whole idea when you are in high school and your peers become your family. That has happened on set over the years. The funny connection between it is we are actually playing a family on TV. We genuinely care about each other." This real connection comes through on screen, adding depth and authenticity to the characters’ relationships.
Amy's Growth: A Picture of Real Life
Marshall describes the rare opportunity to grow alongside her character, noting how the writers often use her own life events as inspiration. "It’s interesting to see how the writers look at what is going on in my own life and then will mirror a lot of the stories because I’m going through a lot of the same things at the same time as my character is." This mirroring gives the scene a deep sense of reality, allowing Marshall to bring a unique emotional depth to her portrayal of Amy.
"To be able to grow as a person simultaneously with my character’s growth has been cool." - Marsha Amber
What Loss Does to People
The Heartland family, both on and off screen, experienced a devastating loss with the passing of Robert Cormier, who played Amy’s love interest, Finn. Marshall talks about how this loss affected her: "It was terrible when we heard the news. It was one of those moments that you never know when someone close to you will die." This shared experience brought the cast even closer, reinforcing the importance of cherishing loved ones.
Finding Love Again
Amy was finally able to move on after the death of her husband Ty in Season 16. As Marshall explains, "Season 16 was finally where it became, no, Amy is allowed to move on." She can enjoy her happiness. That time was set aside for her to grieve and for her fans to grieve with her. It's now up to her to move on and let her heart open up again."
Fans are interested in the idea of a new relationship with Sam (Shawn Roberts). Marshall hints, "I believe it's important to have characters who are always there for female characters who have been through love and loss." You never know. That’s what keeps stories interesting when you don’t know the exact path the character is going to take."
"You never know what is going to happen." —Amber Marshall on Amy's love life.
The Reason Heartland Has Survived So Long
Marshall thinks that the show's long-lasting popularity is due to the fact that it is good for the whole family. "I believe fans are looking for a good, family-friendly show that they can watch together without getting upset about what's on it..." Their family is closer now that they've seen Heartland. Heartland brings families together to share special times and connect in a world where technology often separates people.
Getting Old on the Ranch
Marshall is clearly excited about her future on the show when she is asked about it. "I believe I will never find a better job than this. It fits my life so well... I will ride this horse as long as it is here. Marshall loves Heartland so much that it's more than just a job for her. It's a way of life, a family, and a very important part of her life.
Heartland continues to thrive, not just as a show but as a comforting tradition for fans across generations. With season 17 on the horizon, it seems this beloved story is far from over.