On the Feb. 7 episode of Hallmark‘s “When Calls the Heart,” Melissa Gilbert‘s character, Georgie McGill, made her long-awaited return to Hope Valley. Gilbert already had a behind-the-scenes bond with executive producer Michael Landon Jr., the son of her “Little House on the Prairie” co-star, Michael Landon.
GettyIn a strange twist of fate, Gilbert’s arrival occurred in the same episode that a new face showed up in town, Mountie Elmore Briggs, played by her late co-star’s grandson, Austin Landon. While many Hearties wondered if Gilbert’s first appearance on Season 13, happening on the same episode as his, was planned, Landon swears that it actually wasn’t.
Austin Landon Grateful for Onscreen Tie to Grandfather’s Past
In a conversation with “The Official Hearties Show & Podcast,” Landon talked about how “ecstatic” he and the rest of the cast were when they learned of the fateful coincidence that he would be acting alongside his late grandfather’s onscreen daughter, Gilbert.
“From my understanding, it just ended up being the way it worked out,” he said. While the full-circle moment certainly delighted those who knew, Landon has known Gilbert all his life.
“Melissa is another extension of the family,” he continued. “Not only was it so nice to have her support there professionally, but it really ended up being a bonding experience that I think really put our relationship to a new level. So yeah, I was really grateful for that.”
Austin Landon Navigates Playing Stern Newcomer Among Seasoned Actors
On IMDb, Landon has had only one previous role, in a short film titled “Fillmore.” While he was already familiar with many of the cases through his dad, he admittedly didn’t have much experience acting. Yet here he was, coming in with the polygraph and bossing everyone around a bit.
“I’m playing this character that got a chip on his shoulder, something to prove, bringing in a little bit of an authority figure, persona, and attitude,” he said. “And it was really tough, ’cause I’m the new kid on the block and I have all of these acting veterans that I’m putting in the hot seat. So it was kind of, trying to get that confidence and a little bit more stern attitude while also being like, ‘I would like for us to have a nice conversation and be friends.”
Even so, Austin enjoyed the challenge, even though it was “a little conflicting.”
“Just like with Melissa and Peter [Deluise], Kavan [Smith] and Jack Wagner were just the loveliest people,” he added. “Welcomed me with open arms.”
