I will never forget the first time Kevin McGarry was brought to my attention. It was a little over a year ago when Love At First Bark was preparing to premiere on the Hallmark Channel, and I reached out to Kevin for an interview. Although I was unfamiliar with his career at that point, he made such an indelible impression on me that I never forgot him. When it was announced in 2018 that Kevin would be joining my favorite Hallmark show, When Calls the Heart, I was ecstatic for him and even more so when I realized I would get to officially meet him at the Hearties Family Reunion last October. In anticipation and celebration of Kevin’s astounding work with Hallmark that is being featured both in January and February of this year, Kevin agreed to grant me a follow-up interview which I enthusiastically share with all of you today!
Kevin McGarry Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
RH: So glad it worked out to chat with you today, Kevin.
KM: So am I, Ruth, it’s a pleasure to chat with you again.
At this point, we’ve already seen you in one Winterfest movie, Winter Castle, and tonight we’ll be seeing you in another one, Winter Love Story.
Yes, that’s true.
Jen Lilley, Kevin McGarry Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
In fact, I talked with Jen Lilley about Winter Love Story.
Oh, yeah, that’s interesting. We just shot that one at the end of last year, and Winter Castle was shot at the beginning of last year. So it’s funny to be seeing them both within a few weeks of each other because there was such a long time in between filming them.
Kevin McGarry, Emilie Ullerup Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Productions Group
I hadn’t realized they were shot so far apart from each other. I know that Jen is somewhat jealous of the fact that you’re in two Winterfest films. She wants to know how you got that gig.
Well, you spread them out over the year. You do one at the beginning of the year and one at the end of the year.
I wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed Winter Castle.
Thank you. Yeah, that’s getting a lot of nice comments. Especially because of the location too.
Emilie Ullerup, Kevin McGarry Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Productions Group
It was a beautiful location for sure. But I don’t know if I would actually want to go and stay at that hotel. It seems like it would be really cold.
Yeah, I guess the novelty wears off after day one and you’re like, “Okay, let’s go to Cuba.”
{laughs} Right, but it had to have been an incredible location to shoot the film.
Kevin McGarry, Jon McLaren Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Productions Group
Oh, it was amazing. We actually shot the first week and a half or two weeks in a different location, and the last five or six days were shot at the Ice Hotel. And it was also just before they were gonna take it down. It was right on the border of spring. If everything was quiet, you could actually hear the hotel dripping as we all were hoping that the roof was not gonna cave in!
Oh no! But it was beautiful. And you and Emilie Ullerup were great together.
Yeah, she is fantastic.
I actually interviewed Meghan Heffern before the movie premiered.
Oh, yeah, she played Lana.
Kevin McGarry, Emilie Ullerup Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Productions Group
Yes, it was great to see her in one of her biggest roles with Hallmark.
And she was the one everyone felt bad for. I mean, it’s not like she did anything wrong.
I know what you mean! And we all figure there needs to be a sequel so she can come back and have a love interest and you guys can have a wedding.
Yeah, that would be nice.
Kevin McGarry Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Then tonight we get to see your second Winterfest film, Winter Love Story. What can you tell us about the story and your character?
I play a fantasy author named Elliot Somersby, who writes sagas about dragons. He’s almost like the Game of Thrones guy. He ends up getting paired up with Jen’s character, Cassie Winslett, who is a new writer. She just got out of a bad break-up. She wrote a book that is similar to Eat, Pray, Love, and it is all about her finding herself and being okay. At the beginning, we don’t really like each other. She thinks I’m kind of pompous, and I think she’s kind of inexperienced. We head out on this tour. The publishing company that deals with my books thinks it’s a good idea to pair up a new writer with an older writer. They notice that sales tend to do well for both of the writers when they do that. While we’re on this tour, we learn about each other, and sparks fly. And I think for both of us, we grow and better ourselves because of each other.
Jen Lilley, Kevin McGarry Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
I know Jen said that all the snow you see is real.
A hundred percent! Some days, there was too much snow. One ones that I’ve shot in the past, it’s too warm and they have to bring in fake snow. But we had more than enough on this one.
Well, I’ve been enjoying these Winterfest films. I think it’s a brilliant way to bridge the gap with Christmas being over and people being a bit disappointed.
Jen Lilley, Kevin McGarry Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Yes, Hallmark does a really nice job of moving on with the seasons and making special movies for each season. They are branching out past Christmas. Hallmark is more than Christmas. I’m waiting for the Halloween movie.
Well, I think the one that has the corner on Halloween is Good Witch.
That’s right!
Sometimes Hallmark’s fall movies allude to Halloween also. But I think they basically let Good Witch run with it where Halloween is concerned. Now, with you, Kevin, it’s amazing how we see you in two Winterfest movies this month, and next month, we will see you in When Calls the Heart.
Yeah, that’s going to be something.
Chris, Kevin, and Brian {Bird}
Actually, when it was announced that you and Chris {McNally} had joined the cast, I was more in Chris’ corner because he plays the saloon guy, and I tend to like the characters who are rougher around the edges.
Well, then you’ll like Chris’ character since that kind of how he is.
But then it’s been so impressive to see how you’re fitting in with the cast. I think those of us at the Hearties convention really appreciated the fact that you made it clear that even you’re playing a Mountie, you’re not replacing Jack. While we haven’t seen this season, I know we all appreciate the mindset you have going into the role. And the administrators of the Hallmark and Hearties Facebook groups interacted with you a lot and continued to sing your praises. You made a definite impression on these women.
Oh, that’s great!
So now my dilemma is that I don’t know whose side to be on. Yours or Chris’.
It’s good that you don’t know going into it. You have an idea right now, but you can make a decision at the end of the season. They definitely do a good job of building it up. Um, I can’t really say any more about that because I don’t want to give away too much. But I will say that they do a good job of not leading it anywhere. They definitely leave it open to interpretation for the viewer rather than the story being, “come this way” or “come this way” or “is this guy better than that guy?” It will be interesting to see what the people think at the end of the season.
How familiar were you with When Calls the Heart when you joined the cast?
Lori, Kevin, and Erin
Not incredibly familiar. It was funny. It was on CBC in Canada, and it played just before or just after Heartland. And I’ve been on Heartland for a few seasons now. So it’s going to be funny if people watch both of them, they’re gonna be like, “Hey, that guy was just on the show before or after this one!” I knew of the show. And of course, working with Hallmark, I knew this was their big pride-and-joy baby. It’s their big, big show. And I knew a little about the characters who were on it, but I admit that I didn’t really watch it a lot.
Were you aware coming into the show of the big ending of last season with Jack’s death?
Oh yeah. Oh, of course! Quite a ride that all you guys were put on!
Yeah, it was a little crazy. Now, I was not one of the Hearties who went into attack mode. I understand some went to the extreme, and there are those who may still be struggling to recover. It’s sad when some “fans” set out to destroy the show.
Yeah, that can be hard.
I was very impressed with how Brian {Bird} and Lori {Loughlin} and everybody else remained classy and really worked to handle things the way they did. Their leadership has just been wonderful. And the Christmas movie, which I know you weren’t a part of, was done really well too. In fact, that movie set a record for the show in terms of viewership.
Kevin and Erin
I think that says something too. I mean, I understand when a fanbase is hurt. I know some people will say that they’re never going to watch the show again, but I would encourage them to at least give the show a chance. I hope those people will tune and watch and see that there’s a lot more to the show and see how we’re moving on with the storyline. But it was nice to see that the Christmas film got that kind of viewership.
Yes, and my mom and I were very impressed with the way things were handled in the Christmas film. And it really makes me excited for season six. It’s like we’re starting a new chapter with season six, and I think that’s exciting too.
I think that’s a good way to look at it.
So how would you describe your character in the show?
Paul {Greene}, Kevin, Erin & Chris
I play Nathan, and Nathan…how he was described to me when I auditioned for him is that he is a strong, silent type. He’s the kind of guy that gets things done because they need to be done, but he doesn’t talk about them too much. He’s kind of like a man’s man. He’s not really great with his words. He leaps into action. He’s definitely a doer more than a planner. And sometimes that’s not the best. He’s a man of honor, and he feels a deep responsibility to protect people.
I don’t know if you’re allowed to tell us when your character shows up.
Well, let’s just say my character shows up pretty soon in season six. You won’t be waiting that long.
That makes sense. I figured they couldn’t wait too long because the town has been without a Mountie for quite a while now. They need to replace him.
What I will say is that he comes in a very unexpected way.
Kevin & Erin
Well, that’s something to look forward to then. So being the new guy on set, what was it like coming into this established show and working with the cast and crew?
I think at first that it was daunting. I actually met most of the main cast at the Hallmark TCA’s. I already knew Erin {Krakow} and Lori {Loughlin} from the audition and the screen test. But I met Chris for the first time at the TCA’s. And I met a few of the other cast members there too. It wasn’t long enough to really get to know everyone, but it was kind of a taste of what it was going to be. And then as soon as I got on set, it was something just how warm Lori and Erin were. How welcoming both of them were. They were the show to me at the beginning because they were the ones spearheading the show, and a lot of my interactions before I was even working were with them. Then when I got on set and started meeting the rest of them, and everyone on that show is just lovely. I got to know Chris really well. He’s a great guy. I’m really interested to see where this potential triangle goes. I’m also Team Chris. Just because I like the guy so much!
I regularly hear so much of what you’re saying from the regular cast members and the guest stars. And I really love the fact that When Calls the Heart features so many kids. It’s been so fun to watch them growing up on the show.
Yeah, five seasons to be on a show! It’s got to be exciting to watch these kids grow up.
Photo: Kevin McGarry, Jana Kramer Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Brendan Meadows
We will definitely look forward to seeing you this weekend and in February, and it’s going to be exciting to see what happens. And I will tell you that our interview back from when you were in Love At First Bark still gets a lot of interest. It’s regularly one of the top interviews of the week or month.
Oh wow!
In fact, when that movie replays on Hallmark, I can typically tell because your interview suddenly gets a lot of hits.
Oh, that’s great. Thanks, Ruth.
Heartland
Now, I’ve gotten to see your character some on Heartland. I am way behind in the series, and we don’t automatically get the current seasons here in the States. But I did get to see some of the season when your character joined the show. And then I realized your character is still around.
Yeah, I think part of it is the geography of where these shows shoot. It’s easy to jump on a plane and do two days in Calgary and then hop on a plane to Vancouver and go back to Hope Valley. I’m kinda lucky.
with Cindy Busby
Autumn Stables
True. I know in the States we tend to be a season behind. And Netflix picks up the show as does Hallmark Movies Now, at least ten seasons, I believe. {You can also see Kevin in Autumn Stables with Cindy Busby on Hallmark Movies Now, something I forgot to ask him about!}
Really? I didn’t know that. Well, that’s good news for Heartland then.
So in addition to everything we’ve mentioned, is there anything else upcoming you can mention?
Heartland
No, I think that’s really everything. The two movies this month. When Calls the Heart next month. And then Heartland season twelve is in Canada now. But you can see my character, Mitch, all the way back in season nine and following. It’s a great show to be a part of, and I’m glad they’ve kept me around. There are a few things that are being talked about, but I don’t like to say anything until I get a signed contract.
I understand. That’s a very smart thing to do. And now that you are on When Calls the Heart, you are going to get to see how the Hearties tend to follow their favorite actors all around to the various networks and support whatever shows they are on.
Oh, that’s great.
Winter Castle
behind-the-scenes
I’m sure there will be some people who weren’t watching Heartland who will start watching it now. Hearties are some of the best fans around.
That was definitely proven to me at the convention. And that’s what everybody says too. They just rave about you guys.
And that’s just a cross section of the Hearties on a rather small scale. Are you planning to live tweet during the show?
Yeah, of course. When I can, that is. I’ll especially be live tweeting during the episodes where my character appears. Watch for my tweets with the premiere of the new Mountie. I will not say which episode that is right now.
That’s great, Kevin. The Hearties will definitely love you for that.
Good to know.
I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to chat with me today, Kevin. Very excited to see your movie and your role in When Calls the Heart.
Thank you, Ruth, truly my pleasure. I hope everyone tunes in and enjoys.
Kevin McGarry Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
As my regular readers know, I interview an extensive assortment of actors, writers, directors, etc., and the common bond is typically the Hallmark Network. However, I do not expect that every single person I interview will remember me and/or make the connection if we happen to meet in person. After all, we all have busy lives, and no matter how strong my support is, the cacophony of social media posts and mentions can be overwhelming for anyone, even more so for actors in the public eye. Therefore, when I met Kevin this past October at the Hearties Family Reunion, I did not expect him to remember an interview he had done almost a year and a half ago, especially since we had not interacted at all since that time. However, the moment I introduced myself and mentioned the fact that I had interviewed him, he instantly remembered and beamed a smile of acknowledgment that absolutely warmed my heart. He agreed instantly to an updated interview, and the fact that he worked so hard to give me the best interview experience possible in spite of his busy schedule is something that impressed me to no end. Furthermore, the fact that Kevin was genuinely appreciative, professional in his responses, and enthusiastic in his tone effectively sealed the deal for me. While I still lean toward “Team Chris,” I have to say that Kevin’s charming mannerism, his circumspect persona, and his generous attitude have caused me to question my allegiances in terms of this new duo’s addition to the cast of When Calls the Heart. But what a delicious dilemma to experience!!
I hope that all U.S. households will tune to the Hallmark Channel tonight (1/19) for the premiere of Winter Love Story, Kevin’s second Winterfest film this season. (I do not know about a Canadian premiere date for either Winter Love Story or Winter Castle.) I also hope that the viewers will return in February to watch When Calls the Heart (premiering February 24th on the Hallmark Channel and Super Channel Heart & Home) and even consider checking him out in Heartland, Autumns Stables, and many of his other movie offerings. In addition to all of this, please visit his links below and consider following him where applicable (he updates Instagram much more quickly than Twitter, but he does promise to live tweet with the Hearties when he can). I cannot think of a young man who suits the Hallmark Channel so wonderfully as Kevin. Not only is he an incredible actor and an exceptionally handsome young man, but he also is one of the sweetest, humblest individuals I have met who genuinely cares about and makes connections with his fans. He does not take any of the marvelous opportunities he has been given in the business for granted, and I am quite thrilled for him and the Hearties to officially “meet” on Twitter next month. No matter the trajectory of Kevin’s career in the months and years to come, he has certainly cemented my support as a fan for life, and I hope that many will join me in supporting his journey every step of the way!
FOLLOW KEVIN
Kevin McGarry, Jen Lilley Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Kevin McGarry, Emilie Ullerup Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Courtesy of Johnson Productions Group
