I am absolutely THRILLED that we are so close to the season six premiere of When Calls the Heart on the Hallmark Channel in the U.S. and Super Channel Heart & Home in Canada. With the shake-up that occurred at the end of season five last year, it makes sense that new cast members have been added to this new season. I have already shared my interviews with Chris McNally and Kevin McGarry, but now it’s time to introduce my readers to the actress who plays Fiona, Kayla Wallace. I had no idea just how significant her role was until I began to check out the photos for the first two episodes of the series. While Kayla didn’t give us a lot of information (she doesn’t want to spoil anything), she was gracious enough to talk a little about her life and career, including her time on Hallmark’s most popular show, When Calls the Heart.
RH: Why did you decide to become an actress? What kind of training have you had?
Kayla Wallace Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter
KW: Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to be involved in the performing arts. I started out dancing, singing and being involved in musical theatre as a child, but it wasn’t until high school that I was introduced to film acting as a career. What sparked my dream to become a film actor was actually a workshop that my high school acting program hosted (led by the well-known Vancouver actresses Erica Carroll and Ali Liebert). I was so drawn to the intricacy that acting for the screen has.
Kayla Wallace Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
After high school, I enrolled in The Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, BC. I trained in acting, dancing, and singing six days a week, usually twelve hours a day. It definitely helped prepare me for the crazy long hours this career can have! I received a Certificate in Performing Arts and shortly after, I moved from Victoria to Vancouver to further pursue my acting career. I started training with different acting studios in Vancouver and I’ve never looked back!
What was your first professional job in the business? What are your memories of that job?
My first professional job was the Disney movie Descendants in 2014. This was while I was still living in Victoria, before I had an agent. I attended an open-call dance audition (my first profession audition ever) with a homemade headshot and lots and lots of nerves. I was overjoyed to land a role as a dancer for the “Be Our Guest” scene. I remember walking on set for the first day and seeing my name on a little trailer door… I was over the moon. My own trailer?! Mostly, I remember feeling so fulfilled after a day on set, and I remember feeling so excited that this was only the beginning. I was so grateful to be doing what I love, what I’ve dreamed of. Not to mention our director was the amazing Kenny Ortega. Just being in his presence was something I will always remember.
Christmas Solo
Christmas movie fans saw you in Christmas Solo a couple seasons ago. What did you appreciate about that role and film?
First of all, I am so obsessed with Christmas. I had told myself that a Christmas movie was on my bucket list, and a role that involved singing was on my bucket list. So I was pretty excited to have two in one!
Christmas Solo was an awesome project to work on; I love working with Christie Will. I still hold a special spot in my heart for my character, Melissa. It was really neat to explore the character of the antagonist, but also finding the humanity in the antagonist. Everybody has a story, even the bully.
You also made an appearance on The Good Doctor during its inaugural season. What was it like being a part of the show?
Working on The Good Doctor was a great experience. I remember being pretty nervous as being a guest on a show that is so established. Everybody was so welcoming. I felt SO welcomed by not only the cast, but all the crew too.
It was also one of my first experiences on a TV show. I remember trying to soak up everything I was seeing/learning. The pace is much different than working on a TV movie set.
Once Upon A Prince
Your first Hallmark movie was Once Upon A Prince. What was that experience like? Were you familiar with Hallmark films before this movie?
I had such a good time working on Once Upon A Prince. I was filming on my home turf (Victoria, BC), which was a cool milestone for me. I had so much fun playing the quirky/bubbly character of Avery, and getting to try on a bunch of fancy ball gowns was definitely a perk!
Once Upon A Prince
This was my first Hallmark movie! I loved it. I had watched some Hallmark Christmas movies before, and I had so much fun being on the set of a Hallmark movie. It’s fun to tell a fairy tale-esque story.
This past summer, we saw you on Netflix in Counterfeiting in Suburbia. What was it like working on that film with the cast and director?
Behind-the-scenes
Counterfeiting In Suburbia
Counterfeiting in Suburbia was a really cool film to be a part of. Working under the direction of Jason Bourque was so great. He has such a unique creative eye. The cast and I had such a good time together. It was, again, really fun and thrilling to play the “bad” girl.
Loretta Walsh, Kayla Wallace Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter
I understand you are a part of season six of When Calls the Heart. Please tell us about your character, Fiona. What was it like working with this cast/crew? How much did you know about the Hearties before joining the cast?
Yes, you may see me on When Calls the Heart Season six! 😉 You may see me as a character named Fiona. She is an exciting addition to season six!
Chris McNally, Kayla Wallace Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
Jumping onto such an established show with such an awesome cast, again I was a little nervous starting out. But I mean this when I say it, every single person on the show, cast and crew, is so lovely. It is just a joyful set to be on. I was welcomed with open arms. I had watched a few episodes of WCTH before, but as soon as I found out I was going to be on the show, I binged seasons one-five! I also turned my mom into a Heartie!
© Albert Camicioli
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
You can look out for me in the film called My Mother’s Split Personalities that recently premiered on Lifetime this January and When Calls the Heart Season six this February!
Kayla Wallace Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
As I pored over Kayla’s answers and gazed at all the pictures that have been released for the first two episodes of When Calls the Heart, I truly became intrigued and enthralled with Kayla’s character, and I just know she is going to be a memorable character. (Whether she is a positive or negative influence on Hope Valley still remains to be seen, however.) I have been following her career for a little while now, so when the cast began to tweet about her addition to the cast, I was thrilled for this new opportunity for this enterprising actress. Moreover, I am grateful for the fact that she is kind, responsible, and genuine…traits that are all too often lacking in young people in this day and age.
I hope that everyone tunes in on Sunday, February 24th for the premiere of season six of When Calls the Heart on Hallmark Channel (USA) or Super Channel Heart & Home (Canada). In addition to that, I entreat my readers to pay a visit to all of Kayla’s links below and consider following her on social media. Kayla is a busy young lady with a bright future, and I can only hope and pray that as she remains true to herself, her ideals, and her values that more opportunities will continue to come her way for many years to come!
FOLLOW KAYLA
Kayla Wallace, Jack Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter
Aren Buchholz, Kayla Wallace Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen
Kayla Wallace Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter
