When it calls the heart has seen a few suitors summon Elizabeth Thornton’s heart over the years, but season 11 will see the development of a long-awaited new romance.
For Elizabeth (Erin Krakow), it seems that fate has finally tipped the scales to bring her the love she was looking for in Nathan Grant (Kevin McGarry) – even if it meant ending things with Lucas Bouchard (Chris McNally) in a dramatic Season 10 finale.
Recently, ET’s Deidre Behar traveled to Vancouver, Canada, to speak with the stars on the set of the hit period drama, and they opened up about Elizabeth and Nathan’s future after she unexpectedly ended her engagement to Lucas.
“I’ve always liked Nathan and Elizabeth as a couple,” shared McGarry, who stars as Nathan, a Canadian police officer who has feelings for his beloved Hope Valley teacher. “I think Nathan was created for Elizabeth.”
Nathan came to Hope Valley after the death of Elizabeth’s husband, fellow Mountie Jack Thornton (Image: Disclosure)Daniel Lising). Nathan developed feelings for Elizabeth, which he expressed in season 8 – although the feelings were, at the time, unrequited. Nathan then remained largely romantically free, focusing on being a father figure to his young niece, Allie (Jaeda Lily Miller), whom he later adopted.
“I really feel like (Nathan) not finding a place, him not finding a partner, was deliberate. He was just supposed to wonder while she was moving on with Lucas,” McGarry said. “I think it was always meant to be this way and that they were supposed to be the endgame. And I really like how it was done.”
While Nathan serves as a single father to his daughter, Elizabeth is also a single mother to her son, Jack Jr. (Hyland Goodrich), whom she took in after learning of her husband’s tragic death.
“I think that’s always been the thing that brings them together, is that they’re traveling alone with their kids,” McGarry shared. “And they always leaned on each other to help. We see now, in season 11, them kind of coming together and helping each other raise these kids.”
That being said, Elizabeth and Nathan aren’t going to rush into labeling things right away.
“Nothing is official. I think it would feel too soon,” Krakow shared of their budding romance. “We want to respect the fact that Elizabeth and Lucas had a very real and loving relationship. Turns out it wasn’t supposed to be Elizabeth or Lucas’ life, so we’re respecting that. “
“They are waiting for the right moment,” Krakow joked. “And, of course, there are things that come up along the way to interrupt that. But yes, it’s a slow process. We’re taking our time… the first time Elizabeth and Nathan see each other (after their separation), you feel like sparks are flying.” flying.But even though those sparks are flying, they still linger.
“Nathan confessed his love in season 8. But Elizabeth isn’t sure if he still has feelings for her,” she added, “and I think Nathan doesn’t want to assume that just because Elizabeth and Lucas broke up that she has feelings for him. So, it’s a kind of dance.
When it comes to Elizabeth’s relationship with Lucas, Krakow said the split shows how much Elizabeth has learned about herself.
“As we learn more about Elizabeth’s heart, as she learns more about him, we come to the conclusion that her relationship with Lucas – while beautiful and loving and respectful – was Elizabeth choosing safe love over great love. because she just couldn’t risk losing a person who she felt she could have great love for,” said Krakow, who also serves as an executive producer on the long-running romantic drama. “I think she denied it for a long time and finally , she has reached a point where she can be truly honest about how she is feeling.”
“And that’s a really scary, exciting, authentic kind of love,” she added. “So I’m thrilled about that.”
As for Lucas’s opinion on the new romance between his ex and the handsome police officer, Chris McNally told ET, “He’s still heartbroken over the split, but I think Lucas has always maintained that he really wants what’s best for Elizabeth, and he really wants her to be happier.”
“So if that dynamic wasn’t something that left her at her happiest, then he doesn’t want to be a part of that,” McNally added. “He still wants her in his life. He said that, at one point, he would rather have her friendship than not have her around.”
Because of this, McNally said he doesn’t see it in Lucas’ future to try to win Elizabeth back or drive a wedge between her and Nathan.
“I think Lucas has reached the top of a mountain in his fight, and he sees, at that point, that no matter how hard he fights, you can’t change something that has to do with the other person,” McNally shared. “So he takes a step back at this point and I think he’s internally struggling with heartbreak, but at the same time he has a lot of empathy and compassion for Elizabeth.”
While many Hearties are eager to see how Nathan and Elizabeth develop their relationship, some were upset to see her romance with Lucas come to an end.
McGarry and Krakow, however, want fans to know they understand this disappointment, but think fans will like what’s to come.
“Every character is inherently good on the show and just because someone isn’t with someone else doesn’t mean they’re not an important character on the show,” McGarry said. “Lucas is a huge part of Hope Valley and I don’t think we would have a show without him… (There are) a lot of heartbeats in this show, you know? , but I really think the show is moving to a really beautiful place and I hope you stick around and watch.”
“Although we are an ensemble show, I would encourage (fans) to think about how difficult it must have been for Elizabeth to really listen to her heart and focus on Elizabeth’s journey to find her great love,” Krakow shared, echoing McGarry’s sentiments. . “And really, I think we should be happy that she was able to be so honest with herself.”
When it calls the heart season 11 begins April 7 on Hallmark Channel.
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