I remember the first time I saw A Heavenly Christmas, and shortly thereafter, I began to reach out to several of the supporting cast who appeared in that movie. Kate Isaac was one of the first I had the pleasure of interviewing, and her career and outlook were a combination I felt was singularly compelling. Shortly thereafter, I discovered that she and Aaron Craven were married, and since I had interviewed him long before her, I found it quite entertaining to read their online interactions while still continuing to watch and enjoy the variety of works in which they both have appeared. When I realized that Kate would be appearing in When Calls the Heart, I reached out to her with alacrity and she ecstatically agreed to an interview which would feature this role and so much more. After all, there are many layers to every actor who graces our screens, and thankfully Kate was willing to share.

Photo Credit: Kristine Cofsky

RH: Since we last spoke, Hallmark audiences got to see you in Murder She Baked: Just Desserts. What was your experience like on that movie? Why do you think this series was so popular? As Ali Sweeney is moving on to a new mystery series, what did you take away from that experience with this film series?

With Matt Visser, James Swalm and Gabriel Hogan from Murder She Baked

KI: That film was a blast – and shot predominately in a blizzard, so that made for an interesting travel to set indeed! Outside of the popularity of the books, the cast has done a wonderful job in creating loveable/watchable characters for their audience. They are also fantastic people, so I am sure that also plays a part in the popularity of the series.

Ali Sweeney is amazing. She wears so many hats and manages each beautifully. Her eye for detail is extraordinary. I’m delighted she has a new series and I’m really looking forward to hearing more about it.

Hearties can hardly wait to see you in When Calls the Heart. Were you aware of the show before being cast? What was your reception like on set from the cast and crew? Any memorable moments?

Oh goodness, I have wanted to be on When Calls the Heart for the longest time. I was elated when I was cast – particularly as this character. From the second I stepped on set, I felt like a part of the family. Every series regular I worked with was kind and generous (of course!), and the crew was wonderful. I adored working with Director Neill Fearnley too, he gave me so much freedom to create Eleanor. I came home every day not wanting that experience to end. Lucky indeed! And It was delightful to work with Lori Loughlin again too – bonus!

With this upcoming role on When Calls the Heart as Eleanor Roberts, what can you tease about her character and how it fits into that episode? What did you appreciate about playing this character? Since season six is going to happen, any chance Eleanor could come back next season?

Eleanor, like so many of the women in Hope Valley, is widowed. Instead of seeking solace after the loss of her husband, she chases success (her late husband was extremely successful and was the silent business partner to Lee Coulter – Eleanor desperately wants to continue that legacy). Does she want to be the best she can be? Absolutely. Does she approach her want for success in the best manner? Well… you’ll have to tune in and see!

With Martin Cummins

I enjoyed the complexity of Eleanor’s character. She is rather layered and her story is an interesting one to investigate. I would ADORE it if Eleanor had the opportunity to re-visit Hope Valley. I think there is a whole lot more to her story and character that we didn’t explore in this upcoming episode. She would also be quite the force to be reckoned with – and now that Gowen is back and making strides for good, she could be a wonderful tool for his character to either continue to do and be good or slip back to his old ways… I’m going to have to hope the Hearties love Eleanor enough to ask for her to come back! Who doesn’t love (spoiler alert!) an antagonist, right!?!

Any other upcoming works you can mention?

I’m currently working on a character for a film called The Girl in the Bathtub. The film has an interesting premise in that it uses the wildfire of social media to explore what happens when a news story breaks. I can’t really say much more than that, but I’m very much looking forward to it!

I’m also opening a play in a couple of weeks. I’m thrilled to be back on the stage. The show is a comedy by playwright Neil LaBute about acting/actors in Hollywood. It’s hilarious and dark and a whole lot of fun.

With Aaron Craven

As a wife and a mother, how do you manage your private and public life? 

The great thing about having an actor as my significant other is that we understand the fine line between private and public lives. Art bleeds into life and vice versa, so for us, we try to make the line as clear as possible. Maintaining that line is an interesting endeavour in this era of social media, that’s for sure. I try to dominantly share work on social media and keep the private stuff private.

It’s a challenge to keep pictures of our toddler off Instagram (because he’s so cute!), but we are also acutely aware that once we start posting images of him we take away his anonymity and we want him to be able to decide if and when that happens.

As for life outside of our kiddo, my beau and I are relatively quiet people and we enjoy home-life and each others company, so I’m afraid we’re actually a little boring and don’t have an awful lot to share publicly anyway! Unless you’re into images of us snuggling on a couch, reading the NY Times while wearing fluffy socks. Haha. He’s going to hate that I said that!

In the wake of the “Me Too” movement which also has touched the Vancouver film community, what are your thoughts about this movement and why are you glad that women are finally speaking out?

With Emily Holmes, Daniel Bacon, Robert Moloney, Lucia Walters

It’s been a long time coming, no? The “Me Too” movement has seen a wonderful emancipation for so many women – and I am relieved greatly for each of the victims who have been able to find a safe space to tell their story and feel a sense of peace. I think we have a long way to go. And dare I say, I think in order to really solidify the changes that we so desperately and permanently need, we must involve men in the pursuit forward. I think systematic abuse can topple if the people within that system are charged with holding each other to account and acknowledging that they have been complicit in their silence. There’s power in that. And there is empowerment for women within that too. I believe our voices are being heard, but I also believe in order for our voices to continue to echo through the ages, we need our male counterparts to partner with us, to stand by us and to fight for us. If good men hold other men to account, if good men set the standard of what is acceptable, I have to believe we will see a ripple effect of positive and long-lasting change.

Any plans to do any writing/directing/producing?

I’m finishing off both a feature film and a play as we speak! (And then straight on to another film as soon as I am able.) As for directing, it’s definitely an interest of mine, but I feel that’s for some time down the track. For now, it’s acting and writing together with mom-ing and wife-ing. Those things combined make for a busy schedule!

Please tell us about what kind of plan you follow to maintain your health and fitness level.

We have a “fresh is best” outlook on food and food-prep in our home. We don’t always nail it, but we certainly try. Lots of fruits and veggies, omegas and healthy fats, low on starches and complex carbs, as little processed sugar as is possible. I don’t exercise half as much as I would like, but I do get to the gym three times a week for the most part and I follow a pre-formulated HIIT routine that lasts an hour. I am barely able to move in the minutes after, but it certainly pays off in the long run. Lots of meandering walks outside with kiddo too, despite the rainy weather! The fresh mountain air in Vancouver is good for the body and soul.

If you could go on a family vacation anywhere, where would you go and why?

Italy. There is something about the history of humanity of that country that speaks to the history-geek in me and I would love to share that with our son. History and pasta. And Pizza. And coffee. Okay, and gelato. What was I saying about fitness before…?

I’ve always had a wanderlust for Scotland too. I guess for many of the same reasons as wanting to travel to Italy. I’ll skip the haggis though!

For me, merely discovering the various facets of Kate’s professional and personal life makes this interview a remarkably engaging happenstance. While her familial priorities are paramount and could be viewed as restrictive by less intrinsically pragmatic women, Kate is not only united to a fellow actor who understands her artistic sensibilities, but she also finds fulfillment in every part of her life. While there may be those minuscule moments when she feels a bit overwhelmed by her schedule and responsibilities, she always overcomes any doldrums with grace, forbearance, and joy. Every time she has the supreme opportunity of being onstage or on-screen, she remembers how blessed she is to be a vibrant part of this exhilarating but sometimes turbulent world known as “show business.” She has the internal strength and fortitude to accomplish every one of her duties in such an expeditious and efficient manner that others merely assume that her perceived life of bliss never has a bump nor a washout. Kate is one who is consistently searching for ways to improve the lives of those around her, and because she is such a giver, she is regularly rewarded with an overabundance of goodwill and kindness. Her positive outlook and generous spirit are enough to carry her through the challenges of this world, and especially the artifice that is sometimes found within the world of entertainment. Thankfully, Kate’s sincerity and constancy, as well as her stable family unit, keep her grounded and content.

So please tune in on Sunday, April 15th, to the Hallmark Channel when the Hearties will have the honor of welcoming Kate to Hope Valley as she infuses life into the character Eleanor Roberts on one of the network’s most beloved shows, When Calls the Heart. Furthermore, if you are so inclined, consider bolstering this phenomenally sweet and gifted woman by visiting the links below and letting her know that she is now a member of a supportive, thriving fan community that is like no other. Kate is an ideal fit with the Hearties fanbase, but any network who has her on set for a moment is blessed beyond belief to have someone of her inherent expertise, her philanthropic nature, and her gifted capabilities. Fingers crossed that we continue to experience Kate’s intrepidity on multiple shows and movies for many years to come!

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