If you thought season 10 of When Calls the Heart went out with a bang, wait until the season 11 finale.
“Everyone gets shot,” Kevin McGarry joked in a recent interview, referencing the surprise shooting that ended season 10. McGarry – who plays Mountie Nathan Grant – is quickly rebuked by the show’s star Erin Krakow, who plays Elizabeth Thatcher, Nathan’s love interest. But Krakow does promise Hearties that the season 11 finale – which airs Sunday, June 23 at 9pm ET on Hallmark Channel – has a “pretty juicy cliffhanger.”
Although both actors are tight-lipped about the specifics surrounding the finale, the most recent episode featured Elizabeth finally confessing her love for Nathan. As Hearties are well aware, this season has featured, to quote Krakow, “a lot of romance, baby!” The couple’s blossoming love appears to come to full bloom in the season 11 finale.
“I think that these characters have had a special chemistry from the beginning,” Krakow says about the long-simmering relationship between Elizabeth and Nathan, who first appeared all the way back in season 6. “They had a lot in common and they connected pretty quickly on a very deep, emotional level as they talked about some of these topics. And then there were moments of frustration where they really challenged each other. And I think their deep care for one another has led to some pretty dramatic scenes and vulnerable moments. Elizabeth wasn’t really able to get past her fears, her reservations, but I think she’s reached a point where she’s really ready to embrace that great love, which is with Nathan. For the fans who have been supportive of the Elizabeth and Nathan pairing, we’re trying to give them a great gift over these last couple of episodes, so I hope they’re meaningful for them.”
McGarry adds, “They’re about to reach the top of the mountain. And for those who have stuck with us for five seasons, it will be a rewarding experience, I think.” For more from our EXCLUSIVE chat with the cast of When Calls the Heart, check out the video below.
Looking Ahead to Season 12
Hallmark recently announced that When Calls the Heart will return for a 12th season, and production on new episodes is expected to begin next month. Krakow, who also serves as a co-executive producer on the show, said that “writers have been working, putting together stories and scripts. And production is up-and-running, getting the town back together.”
“We’ll have more romance and more heartwarming stories for everyone in the family to enjoy,” Krakow says about the upcoming season. “It’s gonna be a great season and we’re really looking forward to getting back to work.”
To that point, both Krakow and McGarry cite the cast and crew when asked what their favorite part of working on the show is.
“We work with an incredible cast and crew, great people at the network, great people writing, great people behind-the-scenes,” Krakow said. “Everyone involved in this show is so good-hearted and so passionate about making When Calls the Heart as good as it can possibly be. And that’s such infectious energy to be around.”
Watch the season 11 finale of When Calls the Heart Sunday, June 23 at 9pm ET on Hallmark channel. Hallmark Channel is available on DISH with America’s Top 200 package and up. Not a DISH subscriber? Follow this link to find the best offer and subscribe to DISH today!