As most of my readers know, I have a deep affinity for the young people who portray the Hope Valley kids in Hallmark’s hit series When Calls the Heart, and Jaiven Natt and Carter Ryan Evancic are two of those special young men whom I have known almost from the beginning of their affiliation with the show. I reached out to both when I was new to the world of entertainment journalism, and they, along with their amazing mothers, have been an absolute joy to support and interact with. I have had the marvelous opportunity of meeting both Jaiven and Carter on two separate occasions, and I am honored to know two such talented young men as they. Recently, I requested a joint interview with both actors, and I am glad to present this entertaining chat to my readers on the day before the season five finale of When Calls the Heart.

RH: I am so excited to get to talk to both of you together! I thought it would be fun to do a joint interview, since you’re such great friends.

JN: Thanks for inviting us to be interviewed, Ruth.

CRE: Yes, thank you, it’s gonna be so much fun.

I know you’re really good friends off the screen, but I notice on When Calls the Heart this year that you two have had a lot of scenes together.

JN: Yes, I’ve noticed that too. A lot of the scenes that I’m in, Carter is in them with me.

I remember how both of you were bullying Philip together. My thought was, “Oh, no, Robert’s having a bad influence on Cody.” 

JN: I remember when I got the script, I was like, “Why me?”

Well, maybe they figure Robert can get away with it and then Cody came along for the ride.

CRE: Well, at least at the end, we made it right. That’s the most important thing.

We are so glad that the show has been renewed for season six! 

JN: Yeah, we are so excited.

CRE: We are so happy that we’re coming back. Thank you to all the fans for doing that for all of us.

JN: Yes, thanks Hearties.

Didn’t you both come on the same season?

CRE: Yeah, Jaiven just came in a little later.

JN: Yeah, Carter was there a little before me.

I remember Carter came in because Cody and his sister were a part of the New Year’s special.

CRE: Yeah, it was that two-hour special right before season three officially began.

JN: And then my character, Robert, came in later once season three actually began.

I think it’s great that your characters have gotten to mature together. Jaiven has gotten so tall. In fact, it wasn’t too long ago that Andrea Brooks posted a picture saying you’ll be taller than her next season.

JN: Oh yeah, I remember that!

And then Carter is growing too. I think all the kids are starting to grow up. There was a really cool question one of the Hearties asked. We all loved that recent episode where the kids got a chance to be featured with the adults in the town doing their various jobs. It was great to see the Hope Valley kids featured like that. The question for both of you is while we know that acting is your passion, if you had the chance to follow someone around on any job for a day, what job would you pick?

JN: I would say a designer–not a clothes designer, but the designer of an app, like the people who make Twitter. If you see their offices, they’re so cool. They have skate parks in their offices, and that would be so cool! Either that or I feel like singing would be fun. Like going on tour and people being crazy for you ’cause you’re such a good singer.

What about you, Carter?

CRE: Probably me being a designer of almost anything. I think it would be cool to work in an office like that because we were literally going over that in the beginning of the school year. They have people riding hoverboards and electric scooters in the office. And at the same time, you get to make an app that’s big like Twitter or Facebook or Instagram. And then you could be like, “Oh, I designed that app.”

So you both are interested in technology? I know Jaiven and I have talked about that before, but I didn’t know you were interested in technology too, Carter.

CRE: If I had to do any job, it would probably be like designing houses or designing computers or just anything.

Sounds like you’re both good at designing things, so that sounds like a good idea. I know I wouldn’t be any good at that. I am the technology guru in my household, which is kind of weird. 

JN: I think my dad is the technology guru in my household, and then I follow second, and no one else really knows that much. If my dad isn’t home or he’s busy working, they come to me, and I’m like, “Oh, gosh.”

CRE: If you think about it, designing jobs would be cool, but I’m kind of scared about going into space and stuff. My friends all like the idea of being an astronaut, but I think it’s scary going into space.

JN: Yeah, one thing goes wrong, and then it’s like…

CRE: Yeah, but I do think being an astronaut would be cool because it would be fun going into space and experiencing zero gravity. That would be really fun. You can just float around anywhere.

As long as you’re not going to Mars. I don’t think you’d want to go to Mars because you can’t come back.

CRE: No, I don’t think I’d like going into space like that.

I’m not in a hurry to go into space. I know some people really like that idea, and that’s fine. Now, I might be interested in going in a simulator. It would be cool to go into a simulator and experience no gravity.

JN: There’s actually a really cool simulator in Granville Island. It’s like you’re in Jurassic Park or something. You’re in a big egg thing and it spins around and moves.

That I could do. I love roller coasters and thrill rides. Now, there is another fan question. For some reason, the When Calls the Heart set has a reputation for pranks. I think Paul Greene has something to do with that.

JN/CRE: Yeah! Paul!

JN: His pranks are always scaring people. Like one time he hid under…what was it?

CRE: He was hiding in Abigail’s Cafe. It was super dark. I pushed my mom in there because I was super scared. Then he scared my mom for real and she just started screaming! It was actually really funny. I remember he scared Erin {Krakow} once.

JN: Yeah, he hid under this truck thingy and then when Erin walked by, he jumped out and scared her. I heard a scream and turned around and Erin was like yelling at him like, “Don’t do that again!”

The question is, do you guys ever participate in the pranks on set?

JN: I think I’ve scared the other kids.

CRE: Yeah, and maybe I’ve been scared by the other kids.

JN: During lunchtime, we do haunted houses.

CRE: It’s really fun.

JN: But I don’t think I’ve ever done a big prank or pranked any of the adults.

CRE: Yeah, we haven’t done anything like water over the top of the door or anything like that.

JN: It’s just more like scaring each other more than anything else.

I could see Paul recruiting one or both of you to help him.

JN: Yeah, that would actually be really fun.

{laughing} I could see that! And he’d probably try to blame it all on you guys.

JN/CRE: Yeah, yeah.

JN: Yeah, Paul’s that guy, but it would be fun.

Oh yeah, that’s the thing. It’s not like he’s being mean. It’s always done in fun because you guys are all like one big family on set.

JN: Oh, yeah, everyone. No matter if it’s the crew or the cast. Everyone’s friends with each other.

CRE: We’re all close friends.

As far as this season, do you guys have a favorite episode?

JN: I do, and it’s the one that aired just this past week. I think you can understand why with the cake and the trouble that Robert and Cody get into. I hope you guys definitely loved it. I know we did.

So you liked that one better than the one where you did the whole fainting thing?

JN: I have to say that the fainting scene was really fun to film and it looked really good on TV. But I had so much fun with last week’s. I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did filming it.

Do you guys have the same favorite episode?

CRE: Well, my personal favorite episode, at least the one for me, was the railroad episode when I gave that speech telling them how to keep a promise. That was really fun to film.

That scene was something that Hearties talked about for quite awhile. It was such a great speech, and you did an excellent job, Carter. It was a highlight of that episode.

CRE: Thanks so much.

With season six coming up, what are your hopes for the Hope Valley kids in this new season?

JN: I hope that we get more of a part next season. I hope we get a big storyline.

CRE: Yeah, I’m hoping for something like that too. Like a big adventure.

JN: Yeah, like we see in a newspaper that there’s some hidden treasure in the woods. Then one night we sneak out of our houses and run into the woods and then somehow we get lost and don’t know our way back.

CRE: Yeah, and then like everyone gets scared in the town. And they have to send Bill to come get us.  {both laugh}

They’d probably have to send more than just Bill to come get you. They’d probably send the whole town after you. We’ll just have to see if the writers listen to your idea and give you some kind of storyline like that. 

JN: I want to say that so far, the writers are doing a great job.

CRE: They are, and I’m sure they’ll do just as well for season six.

I agree absolutely. I am constantly amazed by them. So, Jaiven, one fan had a question specifically for you. At Christmastime, you got a new brother.

JN: Yes, that’s right. I got a brother and we got to see my parents for the first time on the show.

Do you know if we’ll find out any more about your brother? We haven’t heard anything since Christmas.

JN: I hope so. I don’t know about the rest of the season, but hopefully next season, we’ll hear more about my family, including my brother.

And Carter, we know that Becky is off at college, but I hope we’ll see her again.

CRE: I hope so too. If not this season, hopefully in season six.  It was nice to see her at Christmas because the show hadn’t seen her in awhile. We definitely miss her in the show. I didn’t have that many scenes with her, but in general, the actress who plays her, Ali {Skovbye} is a nice person to work with.

So, Jaiven, you were in the film Summer of ’84. I remember that. I know Ali’s sister {Tiera Skovbye} was in that one too. I saw that it went to Sundance. Have you heard anything about it going around to film festivals?

JN: No, I’m sorry I haven’t heard anything about that. Ali’s sister’s fiance was the director of that movie, and he cast me for that role. So that was cool.

I didn’t realize that. That’s so cool. Well, we’ll keep our eyes open for that film. I’m sure one of these days soon we’ll hear more about it. 

JN: I really want to see it. I wanna see my part because my part’s like really funny, and I haven’t seen it yet.

I’m sure that we’ll see it at some point. It’s an independent film, but I don’t think it’s going to die out because of the actors and everyone involved with it.

JN: Even when I was on set, it was really put together. It’s a good movie, so I’m sure it will be a good one to see and it will come out sometime soon.

So, Jaiven, is there anything else upcoming that you can mention besides that movie?

JN: Yes, I just got put in a new Disney show. It’s not a big part, but I can’t say much about it yet. I am on set more than one day, which is cool. I have already filmed two days of it.

So this is an upcoming show? Is it a new Disney show?

JN: Yes, it’s coming out in September.

Wow, Jaiven, that’s pretty cool! 

JN: Yeah, thank you. It’s my first Disney show, and I’ve always wanted to be on Disney. So I’m really excited.

Now, Carter, I haven’t forgotten about you. So you have anything else upcoming besides When Calls the Heart?

CRE: No, I’ve been having a lot of auditions and I’ve been on hold a lot, but I haven’t booked anything.

Well, here’s hoping, Carter. I mean you both are like pros now, and I’m sure the right parts will continue to come along for you. And you never know when Hallmark may come along and snatch you up for one of their movies. They’re doing a record number of movies again this year.

JN: I actually looked at all the Hallmark Christmas movies this past Christmas, and I saw almost every one of the cast of When Calls the Heart in at least one Christmas movie. And we both do have something coming up. When Calls the Heart season six!

CRE: Yay!

That’s right! And we are all so excited for that!

JN: I’m so grateful for this show. Even though I might not get much or anything throughout that year, I always have When Calls the Heart to look forward to.

CRE: It’s always great to come back and work on this show. It’s fun coming back and seeing our friends and knowing that everybody is nice. Sometimes it’s hard going to a new set and trying to make new friends. But we always have our set family back at When Calls the Heart to look forward to.

And I know you kids hang out a lot on set. It seems that Jaiven posts a lot of pictures from set.

JN: Whenever I’m hanging out with them, I just like taking pictures.

I have to remind myself to take pictures, especially when I’m at a special event. I often get caught up in the moment and forget.

JN: I understand. Whenever I’m at a concert or something like that, I never take pictures because I’m always, like you said, in the moment. Like when I was at a Justin Bieber concert, I was like, “Oh my gosh, I can’t take your picture right now, Mom! I’m trying to listen to the concert!”

So, Jaiven, you’re a Justin Bieber fan?

JN: Yes, I like Justin Bieber. I think he’s a cool dude, and I think his music is really good. He’s done some things in the past that aren’t so good.

Well, we all make mistakes. And he was growing up in the spotlight. Like you both are growing up doing this acting thing, but you’re not out in Hollywood, and you don’t have paparazzi following you everywhere. 

JN: Like that’s my dream, but I’m happy that I’m not that big right now. But that’s still my dream.

I can see that, but it’s good that you’re not having to deal with it right now. I think it would be really hard having to deal with that as a teenager. Once you grow up and mature a bit, then it’s not as bad. You can deal with it at least. So, Carter, what kind of music do you like?

CRE: I don’t really have a favorite. I just listen to a lot of random songs.

I know Jaiven likes Justin Bieber, and he likes rap. Who are some of your favorite rap artists?

JN: Well, I like a lot of people, but I really like Logic because he talks about life in his songs, which is nice. And I think he’s a really down-to-earth person because he plays the piano and he sings, but at the same time, he raps. But he raps for a reason. He’s not just rapping for the money. It’s for his life.

CRE: He’s not like Eminem who just makes random songs sometimes.

What is your favorite movie right now?

JN: I’m thinking Black Panther and Transformers.

CRE: I like Black Panther. That’s a good one. And coming up will be Pacific Rim probably. That looks really good I think.

JN: And coming up for me is gonna be Avengers.

My daughter is excited about that one too. She filled me in on all the stuff about that movie, and the release date is almost here. My daughter is fourteen, almost fifteen. Please remind me how old you both are.

JN: I just turned thirteen.

CRE: I’m almost twelve.

JN: Wait, you’re not twelve yet?

CRE: No.

JN: Oh…I remember your birthday, but for some reason, I thought you were twelve. But I knew it.

CRE: It’s okay.

{laughs} It’s okay if you forget how old he is as long as you remember his birthday. That’s the most important thing. Now, what do you guys do in your free time?

CRE: For me, I do lacrosse and martial arts and dance hip-hop. When we have free time on set, we all just normally play together.

JN: I would say for my free time, I always go to the rec center and play basketball. During spring break, I was really busy during the last week. So for the first part of the week, I was just chilling out at home. But I always go to the rec center after school to play basketball, and I go for at least two hours. One time I went to the rec center for four hours and when I got home, I couldn’t walk the next morning because my legs hurt so bad. So I play basketball and video games. My favorite video game right now is Forza. It’s really strategic and you can play with your friends. And I dance too.

They need to have you both featured in a dance on When Calls the Heart. 

JN: Oh that would be so cool!

You guys could be ahead of your time. 

JN: {laughs} Yeah, I could be doing break dance in the early 1900’s.

{laughs} Yes, they could be thinking, “What’s wrong with Robert?” I want to thank you both for being willing to chat with me together. I had so much fun talking with both of you!

JN: Thank you, Ruth. And we both want to say this. Thanks for all the great questions, Hearties.

CRE: And thanks to the Hearties for season six too.

JN: Yes, without you guys, that would not have been possible.

CRE: There would not be a When Calls the Heart without the Hearties.

JN: Yeah, because who would watch it?

CRE: Who would make all the ratings and who would make the show a better place?

I love the Hearties so much. They often treat me like a celebrity, which is so cool. Their support for the show and for these interviews is amazing. 

JN: You know, just the other day, I had a really interesting experience. I was going to buy my Vans, and the guy at the store who was measuring my foot asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be in school?” I told him, “No, I have an audition.” And this guy started freaking out, and his friends had to come and calm him down. When I told him that I had been on the show Arrow, he started yelling, ” He’s been on Arrow! He’s been on Arrow!” Everyone was staring at me, and I just wanted to get my shoes! {laughs}

{laughs} That must have been kind of neat, but kind of weird too. Thanks for sharing that, Jaiven. And I hope you both have a great weekend, and we’ll look forward to seeing the finale and then season six of When Calls the Heart.

JN: Thanks, Ruth, for all your support.

CRE: And for the support of all the Hearties.

JN: We hope everyone tunes in!

CRE: Best finale ever!

I cannot tell you just how much I adore both of these phenomenal kids! Although they are absolute professionals when portraying Cody and Robert, when they are off set, they are the most normal, grounded, and down-to-earth boys you could imagine. Their families work extremely hard to ensure that these two have the most routine childhood possible in spite of the fact that as adolescents, they are on one of the most successful and uplifting shows Hallmark has ever housed on their network. My mom and I are consistently charmed by these young men, and no matter what their future holds, the experiences they have had and the relationships they have fostered is something that will stick with them their entire lives. Furthermore, whenever I interact with young people who are positive role models like both Carter and Jaiven are, I find myself relaxing in the knowledge that our future is safe in the hands of young people like them. All too often, our culture is bombarded with all the kids who are negative influences, and the immoral things they do are sensationalized on a daily basis on every media platform possible. Jaiven and Carter are consistent reminders that in spite of all the wickedness that exists within the world and our society, these are two young men who are choosing the right path (with the help of their parents and their set family on When Calls the Heart), and I am infinitely grateful to them and their families for allowing me the honor of knowing them. 

So please be sure you tune into the Hallmark Channel (USA) or the Super Channel (Canada) tomorrow (April 22nd) for the finale of what has been an unbelievable and emotional season five, while keeping your eyes open for these two exceptional young men. Additionally, consider visiting all of their links below and following them on social media where applicable. (To be honest, all pictures here were originally posted on their social media accounts, and I could have undoubtedly provided even more!) Jaiven and Carter represent our future, and in the near future, they will be the ones who will be in positions of power and influence. Moreover, I fully expect that one day, I will be able to boast to all of my friends and colleagues, “See those two young men? I knew them back before they were famous!” And I expect they will still be the charitable, responsible, pragmatic, and humble young actors that I know today!

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