The Hearties absolutely fell in love with Charlotte Hegele when we first saw her in season one of When Calls the Heart. As Elizabeth’s sister, Julie, she always added such a sparkle to the cast and became a perfect scene partner for Erin Krakow. We were blessed to see her return in season five, and now she is back for season six as well. In anticipation of the When Calls the Heart season six finale, Charlotte agreed to a follow-up interview with me as we chatted all things Hallmark and beyond.
RH: Hearties were so glad to see you return to When Calls the Heart season five, and we are even more excited about seeing you in season six. What do you appreciate about your character, Julie, the most? How is she like you and how is she different?
When Calls the Heart
CH: Thank you for saying that. I appreciate Julie’s tenacity and vulnerability. She’s always pushing herself to find her own path towards happiness, and I can relate to that a lot. Even though she takes risks, she’s not hardened by her past mistakes and still keeps her heart open. I think that’s a fabulous quality to have. Julie and I are both creative and have a love for books and art. We’re different in that she seems to be slightly more flirtatious than I have ever been. But I love that about her as well.
When Calls the Heart
While we don’t want you to give away anything, what can you tease about Julie’s appearance in season six?
She’s there to support Elizabeth and to meet Baby Jack. She’s there in a flash to help Baby Jack’s christening, as any good sister would be.
As we look to next season if Julie does return to Hope Valley, what would you like to see for her character arc?
With Max Lloyd-Jones
Honestly, I have no idea! I just want her to find the happiness that she has been looking for, be it on or off the screen.
I was so excited to see that you booked a role on A Very Country Wedding! I loved the first movie. What can we expect from this sequel, and how does your character fit in?
Hahaha! All I can say is my character in A Very Country Wedding is pretty hilarious and out there. The character’s name is “Cake” after all. With a name like that, how could she not be?
While U.S. viewers cannot watch Hudson & Rex, I am well aware of this show. What was that filming experience like? How did your role fit into the storyline?
From Hudson & Rex with John Reardon
That was such a fun set to be on! I got to work with John Reardon again, who some Hearties may remember from season one of When Calls the Heart. I would love to talk more about my character, but for the time being, my lips are sealed! Just know that the main character of the show is a mystery-solving dog! So if it isn’t on your list yet, it’s a “must watch!”
Any other upcoming roles you can mention?
Other than A Very Country Christmas and Hudson & Rex, there’s nothing else I can talk about at the moment.
I know that the life of an artist can be one that has its busy times and its lean times. How have you learned to deal with the difficult times when you are not booking work as much as you’d like to?
It’s hard because sometimes no matter how hard you try, there are always factors that are totally out of your control when it comes to auditioning. The best advice I can give an actor who is having a dry spell is to try to not take it personally. It’s not worth driving yourself crazy trying to figure out what you did wrong after an audition. In all likelihood, you did an excellent job, but somebody else just looked better for the part or had better chemistry with the lead. You know??
What is your advice to other young women who may be considering a career in film/TV?
It’s one of the most satisfying and stressful careers out there. I’m so thankful to be able to call myself a working actor. It takes a lot of talent mixed together with a lot of luck. But what I always tell people is, “Someone has to make it in this industry. Why shouldn’t it be you? Go for it.”
Do you have any special plans this summer?
Yes, in fact, I do! I’m traveling to Europe for a close friend’s wedding. I’m so beyond excited. I’ll be posting lots of pictures on my Instagram, so prepare yourself for that.
If you could learn any skill that you haven’t gotten to as of yet, what would it be and why?
Oh wow. Excellent question. I wish I was a better cook. I mean, I can make dishes from recipes. And I love baking. But I would love to experiment more in the kitchen.
Also, I’ve started writing a children’s book series in my spare time (just for fun at this point; I don’t know if I’ll publish it yet), and I would love to work more on my illustrations.
Photo Credit: Denise Grant
The things I adore about Charlotte could easily fill a book, but one of the things I appreciate the most about her is her candidness. It would be quite convenient for her to close herself off when things aren’t going her way or when times are tough. And yet she has made the decision to reach out to her fans and let us all know that she is a real human being who does not always live a charmed life. As we have followed her journey over the years, it has been a joy to witness the authentic way in which she has conducted herself, and somehow she has always been able to work through any difficulties that have arisen and emerge much stronger, more confident, and more certain of her “calling” within the realm of entertainment. She has not chosen a smooth road, as she mentioned, but there is no doubt in any of our minds that she possesses the requisite fortitude, the abundant talent, and the dogged determination to persevere in her pursuit of every dream within her heart. And for that (and many more reasons), I am honored to be able to support her in any way that I can, and I know that the Hearties and her other fans are of the exact same persuasion.
I hope that all U.S. households will tune to the Hallmark Channel tomorrow (June 2nd) night for the When Calls the Heart season six finale (Canadian households will want to watch the Super Channel Heart & Home) and luxuriate in the thrilling conclusion to a season for the record books. Additionally, while we await Charlotte’s other works (A Very Country Christmas and more), I hope that all my readers will visit her links below and follow her where applicable. Charlotte’s career boasts some of the most amazing Canadian TV ever produced, and the fact that she has remained spirited, positive, and humble is something that I applaud with every ounce of my being. If more young women in the film/TV industry would follow the standards she attempts to uphold and exhibit on a daily basis, I believe that the very fabric of the entertainment universe would be forever altered and the floodgates of positivity would rain down upon this often dark and pessimistic world. However, I am grateful to Charlotte for being a beacon of light in today’s society, and it thrills my heart to no end to witness the amazing role model she has become in the cosmos of contemporary working actors.
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