When you have followed When Calls the Heart as long as I have (from the beginning, like many Hearties), interacted with the actors both on and off social media, and interviewed some of them annually, it would be natural to become complacent and take the show and its exceptional crew and cast for granted. Well, if you know me at all, you KNOW that is not even a possibility! When Calls the Heart remains that Hallmark show that is nearest and dearest to my heart because I have connected profoundly with so many of the people involved with making this show an unmitigated success. Even though Mike Hickam is a character that rarely takes center stage in the series, devoted Hearties are aware of the fact that he is an integral part of Hope Valley. I have been honored on more than one occasion to interview and talk to/interact with Ben Rosenbaum, the divinely gifted and immensely benevolent actor who brings the lovable Hickam to life. In honor of season seven of When Calls the Heart, which is currently airing on the Hallmark Channel and Super Channel Heart & Home on Sunday nights, it is my distinct privilege to present my most recent interview with the incomparably charming Ben!
RH: Hickam has become a fan-favorite fixture in Hope Valley. Why do you believe he is a popular character who creates such a buzz amongst the fans?
behind-the-scenes
BR: That’s very kind, thank you! I think Hickam’s appeal is due to a few things: Hickam is an embodiment of Hope Valley values as much as anyone else in town—he is a kind and helpful member of the community who is always there for people. He is also good for an occasional bit of humor, popping in for some silliness here and there. And finally, I think some fans wear their love of Hickam like a badge of honor, almost like a shibboleth if you will, that marks them as dedicated fans of the show because you have to really love When Calls the Heart to pay attention to Hickam.
As we are in the midst of season seven, what can you tease about Hickam’s character arc this season?
What I can say is that I felt different playing Hickam this past year following the decision to move over to Gowen Petroleum. I felt more license to play Hickam as a man with a more solid center and a little more confidence. It may come across as a subtle change, but it was nice to play him as a more established man of the town. Mostly though, you’ll just see me eating and drinking a lot throughout the season😂.
What is one thing Hickam hasn’t gotten to do in Hope Valley that you would like to see in future seasons (assuming we have those)?
behind-the-scenes
posted by Erin Krakow
I’m sure there are a couple more jobs in town that Hickam hasn’t held yet! Not many, but there must be some. Seamstress? I don’t know what the reaction to that would be in 1918, but I actually think it could be very funny to have Hickam working in the dress shop with Rosemary and Clara. There are so many more colors to Hickam that I would enjoy exploring, and I’m excited to see what our writers have in store for me.
with Paul Greene & Martin
Who is one actor with whom you get to share a scene this season that you are most looking forward to seeing? With whom would you like to share a scene in future seasons?
I got to work with Martin Cummins a lot more this season and I absolutely loved it. We actually spent quite a bit of time off set together as well because he wrangled me into joining his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym in Vancouver and we would go a few times a week together (along with Chris McNally as well!). Martin is such an experienced and talented actor, and a very funny guy, so it was a treat to share scenes with him.
with Chris
In the future, I would love to have a scene with Kevin McGarry at some point! He and I were joking all season about how we’ve never seen he and Hickam really meet, so we were constantly introducing ourselves to each other. Truly everyone on the show is a delight to work with and I look forward to working with all of them.
What do you believe are Hickam’s most endearing qualities? What do you see as areas where he still needs to improve?
Hickam has an openness to the world around him that feels very freeing whenever I’m playing him. Maybe that’s a little abstract, but I mean he has an innocence and tends to say “yes” to things, so it just feels like walking around with my eyes a little wider and my heart open to everyone while I’m in his shoes. An area where he could use improvement is developing a stronger sense that it’s okay to put himself first sometimes and confidently advocate for himself. We saw a bit of that when he chose to take the job with Gowen, but there’s always room to grow.
Aren Buchholz Credit: ©2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
Hope Valley is such an incredible set. What is your favorite building/area to hang out? Why?
The saloon is my favorite set, which is good because I was there a lot this past season! It is a beautiful set, and because it is built for recreation (in the world of the show), it just feels spacious and relaxed.
How has working on a period show such as When Calls the Heart impacted your views of our 21st-century society?
behind-the-scenes with Aren & Eva Bourne
I think this might have more to do with the experience of working on a TV set for months than it does with the show being “period,” but it has made me really appreciate the sense of community in the town (and on our set). In many people’s 21st-century experience, including mine, there isn’t generally that same sense of community around people you see every day. I don’t think I know a single neighbor of mine…
What do you cite for the continued success of WCTH? Also, why do you believe this cast has become so close over the seasons? We know it doesn’t always happen, so what’s so special about this cast?
WCTH cast
The continued success of our show comes down to the Hearties, of course! And our dynamite creative team, the cast and crew, and the folks at Hallmark as well. This show really feels like a collaboration between a lot of people working towards the same goal, which is wonderful to be a part of. We just got really lucky with this cast. It’s full of people who want to enjoy the experience of making the show as much as they are focused on the end product. We make sure we are laughing a lot throughout the day together, and those good times make us want more, I guess!
The way you use social media is something that has truly rallied and entertained the Hearties in such a special way. How do you remain so positive, kind and entertaining on social media?
That’s so kind of you to say, Ruth, thank you! I’ve never been particularly good at social media in terms of consistency and volume… I look around at people who are so comfortable turning their lives into a reality show and brand through their social media presence and it feels very foreign to me. But I really appreciate it as a tool to connect with people, especially when it is focused on WCTH, and the fact that some Hearties have responded positively to my approach is really rewarding. I love seeing the responses people have and interacting with a sense of humor—that’s really fun to me, so I try to keep following that joy.
At this point, we have only really seen you in WCTH. As a working actor, how do you fill in the “gaps” in between this show? While I’m sure you audition and all that, do you do theater, voice work, other business pursuits? Also, please feel free to tell us about any other upcoming works that you can mention.
behind-the-scenes
Hickam & Dr. Carson
You’re right that a lot of a professional actor’s time is spent trying to find the next job, which is the least fun part of the business. But I have also found a lot of creative fulfillment in writing and creating with friends in the business. Those side projects may never turn into anything commercially successful, but they provide an opportunity to learn and grow as an artist at the very least. I also try to expand my skillset, so I have been participating in improv comedy for many years now, and I will take the occasional class or workshop on specific subjects (revisiting stage combat, for example) just to stay sharp. I really do love being on stage, and it’s far too easy for that to get put on the back burner while pursuing TV/film in LA. I might be doing a play coming up, but I can’t talk about that just yet. I will be sure to let you know if/when that is happening.
Aren Buchholz, Kavan Smith, Clayton Chitty, Ben Rosenbaum Credit: ©2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs
A musical episode is something both the cast and the fans have been pushing for on WCTH for many seasons. How would you like to see a musical episode incorporated into the show?
Paul Greene, Aren Buchholz, Ben Rosenbaum Credit: ©2020 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
I would like that very much! The musical episode of the TV show Scrubs is one of my favorites and I think it would be a blast to do our own. I personally would want to see it incorporated with a sense humor…not to make a joke out of it, but just to embrace the inherent silliness of doing a musical episode on a non-musical show.
When on set especially, what are your go-to food(s)/drink(s) to keep up your energy?
I don’t eat a ton throughout the day, but I will graze the craft services table and grab whatever is quick and easy like nuts, veggies, and fruits. If I’m really hungry I’ll make myself a PBJ on toast which is a classic and a favorite of mine. If I’m being totally honest, I get a real sweet tooth towards the end of the really long days and then I will absolutely destroy the Welch’s fruit snacks, like four bags. It’s not great.
To be quite honest, I don’t know of anything I could add to adequately describe the unsurpassed marvel that is Ben Rosenbaum. Every season, “Hickam’s Hearties,” as his most faithful fans are known, practically insist on a more meaningful storyline for this quiet and retiring character, for all too often, it’s as though we are playing the game of “Where’s Hickam?” However, in Ben’s incomparable manner, he has expressed more with this character of Mike Hickam than the vast majority of supporting cast members in the film/TV universe could do with a similar role over a multi-season run on a show such as this. In my film/TV experience, I have witnessed that roles like Hickam are ordinarily viewed as “toss-away” roles that might be seen as favors or a stepping stone to a more prominent character in a more notable show or movie. And yet, Ben provides such impeccably nuanced characterization that has only grown more illustrious as the seasons have continued, and loyal fans have demonstrated their overwhelming support through the creation and development of a social media hashtag and an entire movement based on this seemingly trivial character. In fact, if the writers ever dare to remove Hickam from the show, I tend to think there would be a Hearties uprising that just might reach the very doors of Brian Bird, Brad Krevoy, and ultimately, Hallmark itself! (Do you think I’m exaggerating? You might want to ask some of the producers about their experiences with a “Hearties mob”! 🙂
I hope that everyone is tuning in on Sunday nights to the Hallmark Channel or Super Channel Heart & Home for the phenomenon known as When Calls the Heart, and please don’t forget to visit all of Ben’s links below and tweet with us every Sunday night! I am definitely a better Heartie for having discovered Hickam and the impressive man who embodies his wit and spirit, and I anticipate greatly the expansion of his career in the days, weeks, months, and years to come!
FOLLOW BEN
Check out my past interviews with Ben!
Interview With Actor Ben Rosenbaum, “When Calls the Heart” #Hearties #HickamsHearties Season 6
Interview With Actor Ben Rosenbaum, “When Calls the Heart” #HickamsHearties
With Kavan Smith
Hearties Family Reunion Friday Interview With Cast Members of When Calls the Heart
WCTH Cast
Ben Rosenbaum – When Calls The Heart
