I readily admit the fact that I am constantly looking for new faces and names that pop up in the cast list of When Calls the Heart. While I may occasionally discover an actor who has appeared on the show before, it may be that I only have discovered that person within the realm of the current season. And in the case of Nick Hunnings, that is exactly what occurred. Until our interview, I was not aware of the fact that he had made an appearance in the Christmas special subtitled The Wishing Tree, and Hearties will also find him in a few episodes of the recently-ended season. Even though season six has officially concluded, I am honored to share the recent online chat I enjoyed with Nick, and I hope that this gives you a little insight into one of the minor (but significant) characters of our beloved show!
Photo by Kristine Cofsky
RH: How/why did you decide to pursue a career in acting? What kind of training have you had for this career?
NH: I remember my high school theatre teacher, Mr. Burritt, walking into my math class and asking to speak to me. He told me that someone had dropped out of the school play and asked me if I’d like to take the part. I didn’t think much of it and said, “Yes.” That was it for me. After doing the play, I knew I wanted to be an actor. I’m still very grateful to this day that Mr. Burritt asked me to be a part of that show.
Through high school and into University, I trained at a number of Vancouver acting schools, including Ben Ratner at Haven Studios and Lyric School of Acting. I then went on to do a BFA in Theatre at SFU. I continue to work with acting coach Andrew McIlroy.
What was your first screen credit in the industry and what are your memories of it?
It was on a show called I Shouldn’t Be Alive, based on a true story of two kayakers getting shipwrecked on the San Juan Islands and their struggle to survive. My friend was auditioning for one of the kayakers and he asked me to run lines with him. After running the scene a few times, he said he thought I’d be a good fit to play the other kayaker and he encouraged me to just show up at the audition with him. So basically, I crashed the audition with my headshot and resume and told the casting director that I’d like to read for the part of Larry. To my surprise, after speaking with the Director and Producer, the casting director came back and offered me an audition. Three auditions later I was offered the part.
Psych
It was an amazing experience for my first gig. I spent three weeks in the ocean in Tofino B.C, cruising from island to island in a kayak. Don’t get me wrong. It was still a lot of work, long hours bobbing in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, both in and out of a kayak, but all in all, it was an incredible experience.
I believe your first recurring role was on The 100. Please tell us about your experience with that show.
Almost Human
It was great. A seasoned cast and crew made the whole experience enjoyable and smooth. My character entered the plotline close to the season climax, so I got to be a part of a lot of fun, high stakes scenes. Also, I got to work with a bunch of great actors, including Ian Tracey, who I’d watched a lot growing up on local shows like Da Vinci’s Inquest and Intelligence.
You were also on a couple of episodes of Bates Motel. What was most memorable about being on that show?
BATES MOTEL — “Unbreak-able” Episode 304 — Pictured: (l-r) Nick Hunnings as Deputy Walker, Nestor Carbonell as Alex Romero — (Photo by: James Dittiger/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Well first, I was a big fan of the show. I’d watched all the seasons leading up to my episode and I loved the writing and the talent in the cast. Working with Nestor Carbonell and getting to watch Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore do their thing was a thrill.
Your first Hallmark movie appears to be Garage Sale Mystery: The Deadly Room. What did you know about the network before landing this role? What was that first experience with Hallmark like?
I knew that Hallmark employed a lot of Vancouver actors, which is great! And I also knew that they had a passionate following.
Photo by Kristine Cofsky
My first experience was especially memorable because I got to work with director Peter De Luise. He really brought a levity to the set which created a great working environment. With nerves and the high stakes nature of the movie business, you sometimes forget to have fun, and he was a great reminder of that.
Please tell us about this series The Drive. What was the premise of the series and how did your role fit in? Any special memories?
The Drive
The Drive was a series created with my wife, Lindsay Drummond, and friends Kirsten Slenning and Graem Beddoes through our production company,center East Van Entertainment Inc. We wrote and developed it for some time before going to camera on Season 1 in 2015. The story centers on five roommates living together in a house on Commercial Drive in Vancouver, B.C. A lot of the series is a reflection of our personal experiences while living in that neighbourhood for about thirteen years. It’s really a coming of age story for these five characters as they become entangled in each other’s lives and ultimately have to overcome the trials of life together.
The Drive cast
It was particularly meaningful to highlight a community that we loved so much by filming in local businesses and having many local artists and musicians involved in the show. It was also incredibly rewarding to complete a creative endeavour like this with close friends and family.
We’re hoping to have both Seasons 1 and 2 available on Amazon this summer!
You have been on Supernatural a couple times over the course of a couple of different seasons. Why do you believe this show has maintained its popularity over the years with the fans and cast alike?
Supernatural
I think the show has always stuck to its style and done a great job of taking the supernatural as seriously as its fans do. Every time I read a Supernatural script, I realized how much attention to detail they had in their storylines, characters and set. Not only were they detailed, but all the supernatural elements had been researched and based on stories, events and ideas from the real world. I think the fan base has an attachment to where the fiction of the series becomes interwoven with elements from the real world. And obviously, Jared {Padalecki} and Jensen {Ackles} do a fantastic job spearheading the show, and they are both awesome to work with.
This season, we have seen you in When Calls the Heart. What did you know about that show before booking your role? What has been most memorable about being on this show this season?
with Jaiven
When I first appeared in the Christmas special a few years back, I knew that the show had a very loyal following and was a Hallmark favourite. The talented ensemble cast had developed great chemistry over four seasons, and I was excited and grateful to be a part of it.
For me, the most memorable part of this season was the opportunity to see the continued development of the relationship between Richard and his son, Robert, and also as an actor, to get to know Jaiven {Natt} a little more. Jaiven, like all the kids on the show, is incredibly talented and professional and has been a lot of fun to work with. He and the rest of the cast have made me feel very welcome.
with Jaiven
One scene, in particular, that was pretty cool, was when Jaiven and I were riding around the farm on the horse-drawn carriage. I really felt some dad responsibility there, holding the reigns and maneuvering around the set as we delivered our lines. The crew is exceptional, so I always felt safe, but having a three-year-old son myself, I definitely felt like I went into “dad mode” and held onto those reigns extra tight!
What has your experience been like with the Hearties? If you get to come back next season, do you have any Hope’s for your character’s arc?
The Hearties have a devotion to the show unlike any other fan base I’ve seen on social media. They are super loyal and positive and love to interact with the actors online. Their support definitely gives a “big family” vibe that you also see on set.
If I’m lucky enough to come back next season, I’d love to learn more about the Richard and Robert’s life on the farm and to see how or if Gowan’s oil exploits have affected them. The kids have been such a big part of the show that I think it would be cool to learn a little more about their home life and family.
Any other upcoming/current works you can mention?
I’m excited that East Van Entertainment Inc. is developing a new project. We’re in the preliminary stages of writing now, but we are looking forward to seeing this story takes us.
The Drive
I simply adore the fact that Robert’s dad has returned to Hope Valley (though I doubt he was never officially gone; we don’t always get the opportunity to see the parents of the children in the series), and I hope with all my heart that we have not seen the last of Richard Wolf. The fact that Nick took his role as seriously as he did while still enjoying his time with Jaiven (still possibly my favorite kid in the cast–don’t tell anyone else!) is enough for me to entreat the powers that be to feature Nick’s character a bit more prominently in season seven. Additionally, I appreciated learning a little more about Nick and the various experiences he has had within the industry to date.
If you have not had the opportunity to witness Nick’s character in When Calls the Heart, I advise you to take some time to watch him in the series (either on demand or via any streaming services available); you’ll be glad you did! Furthermore, while we await his series The Drive and the fate of his character in season seven of When Calls the Heart, I would also suggest that all my readers check out Nick’s links below and consider following him where applicable. While Nick’s career with Hallmark has been rather limited over the past couple of years, that is often the way dynamic artists like him make their way with the network. The fact that he has continued to be asked back as well as being cast in a wide variety of shows with other networks is indicative of the fact that Nick is a team player who possesses the proper attitude and the excellent skills to ensure continued success in his chosen profession. I am honored that I had the chance to feature him on my site today, and I can hardly wait to see what new adventures await him in the near and distant future!
FOLLOW NICK
When Calls the Heart behind-the-scenes
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1 Comment
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Thumbs up to Nick on the journey so far and to Ruth; the interview is insightful and inspiring, always.
