Since season three of the Hallmark Channel/Super Channel Heart & Home popular show When Calls the Heart, the fans have thoroughly enjoyed the character of Laura as portrayed by Genea Charpentier. I had the opportunity of interviewing her a couple of times previously, and thankfully, this past summer, we made it happen yet again. Due to incredibly busy schedules on my end, I have been unable to post my interview with this beautiful, talented young lady until now. As we Hearties patiently await the return of season six of our favorite show, I am honored to share this updated interview with my readers today.
RH: Genea, I cannot tell you how glad I am to finally chat with you again!
GC: Ruth, thank you for reaching out to me. I know we are both such busy people that it can be hard sometimes to get these set up.
Remind me of how old you are.
I am now fifteen. I was fourteen while filming some of When Calls the Heart season six.
Oh, that means you’re around the same age as my daughter. She’s fifteen also and will turn sixteen later on this year.
Same with me.
You were a part of season five of When Calls the Heart.
Yes, I was.
Personally, I loved season five even though some of the Hearties would disagree with me. I know it had a very tragic ending.
True, it did.
For me, season five was so well done that I was impressed, even with the finale. Did you have a favorite episode from season five?
That’s really hard to say. Most of the episodes I worked on were so much fun that it would be too difficult to choose a favorite. Having all the kids on set feels just like a big, happy family, so the best episodes are when you’re filming with everyone there. I don’t have a favorite because they are all my favorites.
You are actually one of the older kids on set.
In past seasons, Imogen Tear, who played Hattie, was on set, and she is four days older than me, but unfortunately, she is not a part of season six. Jaiven Natt is like the next oldest. So it looks like maybe I am the oldest kid on set for season six. Most of the kids are around his age–eleven, twelve, thirteen. But even though we’re all different ages, we all get along really well anyway. At first, that was a big surprise because we’re all so different. But when we’re together, we’re a really big, happy family.
I remember how you and Imogen bonded right away, but as we know, things happen, and maybe if there’s a season seven, she will be able to come back.
It was nice to have another girl my age, but thankfully, all of us kids get along so well, and we can always hope we’ll get to work together again sometime.
How different was it filming last season’s finale?
Actually, I wasn’t in the finale of season five. I was in the middle of filming another show at the time. I heard a lot about it though, and I knew they had to keep the finale on the down-low. I know lots of fans got pretty upset about it, and the cast were really sad about it too. The overall atmosphere that I heard about when they were filming is that it was a little bit stressful since you couldn’t share anything about it. It was hard to see him leave, and it was a very hard episode to film. Daniel {Lissing} is such a nice person, but it was time for him to leave and move on.
Even though you weren’t in the finale, did you get to say goodbye to him?
I did get to talk to him before I left. I said, “I enjoyed your company. Thanks for being such a big role model for all the kids.” It was sad, but I understood that he just wanted to move onto other things. And that’s the way this business is. I understand his reasoning, and I’m happy for him that he made this decision since it was better for him.
I agree with you, and while some fans are still upset, most of us are ready to move on past his leaving. So this past summer, you started filming season six.
That’s right.
What was the mood like filming season six?
Honestly, it was pretty upbeat. It did take a little bit of time to adjust to the changes, but within a few weeks, we were used to not having Daniel there. We have been able to move on. We had lots of fun on set with new storylines, new characters, new plots. So I’m very excited.
When you were filming season six, you couldn’t mention anything about the baby. They kept that quiet. But now we know that your character, Laura, became Jack Jr.’s nanny!
Oh, that was awesome! I wanted to tell everyone what was going on, but again, we had to keep things quiet. We were told during filming to keep things on the down-low with the Jack Jr. character.
There are some new cast members this season. Some we have gotten to meet already in this season, and some we are yet to meet.
Yeah, early on in filming for season six, I met Chris McNally, who plays Lucas, the new saloon owner. And then I got to meet Kevin McGarry, who plays Mountie Nathan. It was a day when I had worked with Erin {Krakow}, and he was filming a scene with her after we were done. Then I met another girl. Her name is Kayla {Wallace}, and her character, Fiona, is one who has a new storyline this season. They are all very nice people, and I am glad they brought in some new people this season.
What was your favorite part of filming season six?
I really enjoyed interacting with new people this season. And I also loved being able to have scenes with people I normally don’t have scenes with. You’ll get to see how Laura shares scenes with some different people this season, so watch out for that. Speaking of my character, I also love how Laura is really exploring her options about her future in Hope Valley. I am so excited to see what happens with my character in the future. I also like that Laura has also matured and has become less childlike, while beginning to take responsibilities on her own.
That’s awesome, Genea! I think we all love watching the progression of your character. Now, if you had a wishlist for Laura, what would it be?
Well, part of that wishlist got granted, I think. I wanted to be able to work with the adults a bit more this season, and I think you’ll see that. The fact that I’m Jack Jr.’s nanny lends itself to me being more of an adult. While I love working with the kids, Laura is growing up. I hope to be able to eventually have more scenes with Pascale {Hutton}. She is the sweetest person ever. She’s so bubbly and so nice.
Of course, the Hearties that attended HFR4 {Hearties Family Reunion}, including me, got the chance to see you.
Yes, I loved getting to be there and see all the fans. And always nice seeing you.
I want to tell you that I have loved season six so far, and I am super excited to see more of it. And the general consensus amongst the Hearties is that season six is one of the best seasons ever.
That’s great to hear, Ruth. I’m so glad you’re loving it and that the Hearties are loving it too.
And the fact that Jack’s presence is still around is something I have really appreciated this year.
Yes, after all, the school is named after him, and Elizabeth has his baby. So he’s still a part of Hope Valley and always will be.
And speaking of the tragedy of season five, I have read stories of how Hearties were able to relate to Jack’s death. Some have experienced these things in real life. A lot of military people could relate to the story.
Yes, because that really does happen in real life.
So you have other things that you’ve filmed that are either out or coming up?
Some of the Hearties might know that I am on another show with Gracyn {Shinyei}, The Man In the High Castle. The series has just finished filming its fourth and final season. Season three came out last fall, and I’m not sure when season four is coming out, except I think they announced that it would be fall of this year. I can tell you that season four is pretty cool. What an amazing way to end such an incredible series. So people can check me out in that show. It’s on Amazon Prime Video.
As to anything else, there’s nothing right now. I’ve got some things up in the air and waiting to hear back on a couple of projects, so I’ll let people know when I can.
Something we have not seen you in a while is a Hallmark movie that is not When Calls the Heart. It would be so great to see you in one!
I know you’re right. The last one I did was All Yours.
I would love for you to do another one.
Me too. Fingers crossed!
How’s school going for you?
School is going great. I am in grade ten this year; it’s my sophomore year. It’s always a transition with school. I like to wake up at nine or ten in the morning like in the summer and on holidays, but when I’m going to school, I have to wake up way earlier!
My daughter’s the same way. She has been known to stay up till one in the morning.
Oh my gosh! I can’t usually stay up past eleven. I just fall asleep.
Did you get to go on vacation this past summer?
Well, we went up to Kelowna. That’s up in the Okanagan Valley. I didn’t go anywhere tropical because it was pretty hot this past summer in Vancouver. So we stayed around town a lot. I swam and hung out with friends. It wasn’t an extraordinary summer, but it was still good, chill, and laid back.
That sounds perfect to me, Genea. I just want to thank you for your time, and we definitely look forward to When Calls the Heart season six resuming very soon.
Me too, Ruth, and thank you for reaching out and for all your support and all the support of the Hearties. It’s a great season and I can hardly wait for everyone to see it.
When I watched episode one of season six of When Calls the Heart, I could hardly contain my enthusiasm because I was exhilarated for Genea’s character! She seemed so grown-up and lovely, and watching the bonding between her character and Elizabeth was an absolute treat! Genea has matured into such an exquisite, young actress, and I am grateful to the writers for rewarding her with such an influential storyline that demonstrates the extent of Genea’s talent. (Well, at least some of it. No doubt, Genea is capable of even more remarkable dramatic heights!) While I have not had the opportunity to watch her or Gracyn in The Man In the High Castle, I believe I may just have to sit down this summer and binge the entire show because I have no doubt that based on what I witnessed from the pilot, this is a series that is not to be missed. And since Genea and Gracyn are both in it, what on earth could be better?
Although we Hearties are currently awaiting the return of our favorite show on Sunday nights, in the interim, I would invite everyone to take the opportunity to visit all of Genea’s links below, to follow her on social media, and to perhaps check out some of her past/current works. While I have no idea what the future holds for this enterprising starlet, I am convinced that Genea is one who will continue her film/television career for many years to come if she so chooses that career path. Furthermore, I am convinced that as long as she remains on her current path of humility, essential training, and team-player mindset, I have no doubt that she will be nothing but successful. I sincerely hope Hallmark considers casting her in another of their movies soon (she is such a treasure), and I pray that the producers and the powers that be are able to quickly and succinctly bring When Calls the Heart back to our screens very soon so that we can luxuriate in the rest of Laura’s story this season!
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