In season 13, episode 2 of the Hallmark Channel‘s “When Calls the Heart,” viewers were introduced to a scared young girl named Gwendolyn. Separated from her father when the Goldie National Park forest fire hit her town, she was brought to town by Nathan (Kevin McGarry). For actress Alex MacIsaac, who plays Gwendolyn, joining the show has been an amazing experience.
“This has honestly been one of the best summers of my life,” she said on the “Hallmarkies Podcast.” Just getting to go on set every day and seeing all these people. Because they are seriously so talented, and so good at what they do.”
“It’s just been amazing,” she added, before explaining what Erin Krakow did on the first day to put her at ease, and divulging a bit about why Hearties will love Gwendolyn.
Alex MacIsaac Reveals Erin Krakow’s Heartwarming First-Day Welcome
MacIsaac recalled feeling pretty nervous on her first day of filming. “The show has been running for 13 years, everybody knew each other, and I just wanted to fit in,” she said.
“Erin [Krakow] knocked on my trailer door,” she continued. “I thought it was the [assistant director], and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ And then she introduced herself, and she immediately put me at ease, and I was so grateful ’cause it just made me feel so at home.”
She quickly realized that Krakow’s warm welcome was just the beginning, though.
“When I got into the green room for the first time, I wasn’t really expecting much,” she revealed. “But basically all the actors were there, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ And the butterflies gushed back in.”
Thankfully, the butterflies quickly “flew away.”
“Everyone made me feel so at home, made me feel so welcomed,” she added.
Alex MacIsaac Thinks ‘Everybody Can See a Little Bit of Themselves’ in Gwendolyn
MacIsaac explains that Gwendolyn “has a lot going through her mind.” Her father is in the hospital, and she’s in Hope Valley on a “new journey,” since her town has burned down.
“She’s very withdrawn and tough, and she doesn’t really speak out much, because she just wants things to go back to normal. But as the Coulters take her in, maybe she switches, maybe she doesn’t,” she teased.
“I think everybody can see a little bit of themselves in Gwendolyn,” MacIsaac added. “Starting something new, embarking on a new journey, and being a little scared. But she’s so strong and resilient that I think people will love to see the switch.”
