Interview With Actress Pascale Hutton, “When Calls the Heart”

By Ruth on June 2, 2019 in Interview, movie, television

I’m one of those Hearties who treasured Rosemary from the moment she whirled into the series. No, I didn’t want Rosemary and Jack to make a match of it, but how could you not love her? Or at least love Pascale Hutton, the woman who has brought her to life on the screen from the beginning! How blessed I was to recently chat with this vivacious, dazzling artist yet again, and we chatted all things When Calls the Heart and Rosemary in anticipation of the season six finale (which happens tonight–June 2nd!).

RH: Pascale, it is so nice to get to chat with you again this season.

PH: Same here, Ruth, thank you for reaching out.

It’s been quite a season of When Calls the Heart.

{laughs} Yes, it has been. That’s one way to put it.

I know exactly what you mean. But I think the greatest thing is the fans have remained really loyal. And the cast and crew have just been great. Just the way that everyone has handled all the issues has been simply fantastic. I was thinking about how this show When Calls the Heart…you guys have been through more struggles than practically any other show I’ve ever seen.

I know, I know! We haven’t had a single season of it just being easy and seamless. And yet through it all, we are still here. We are the little show that could.

That’s right! And you guys have continued to bring quality content season after season. My mom and I are both loving the current season. We always look forward to seeing it each week. I know there are some Hearties who complain no matter what, but for the most part, the Hearties have been so supportive.

I agree absolutely one hundred percent. I’ve always said that the core fan base of the show is so supportive, loyal, and compassionate. And kind too. And this core group is the overriding force that keeps the fans going forward, but also keeps the show going forward as well.

Concerning the show, I have never made it a secret about how much I love Lee and Rosemary, and I love you guys even more this season. You guys keep getting better and better. They’ve given you such incredible storylines this season.

You know, it’s been really interesting for me to watch this season. When you’re filming it and you’re right in the middle of it, it’s a different experience than sitting back and watching it unfold as part of the fabric that makes up the whole show. So I’ve been really enjoying just sitting back as an audience member and watching these two navigate very uncharted territory for them. Rosemary and Lee generally keep things quite light, and to see them figure things out in such a tender, vulnerable way…I’ve even been moved while watching it. And I’ve been really pleased hearing all the responses from people who are so invested in these two characters.

That’s so wonderful, Pascale. I had spoken with Kavan {Smith} before the season began, so I had an inkling about what way the story might be headed this season. While Kavan didn’t spoil anything, he did say that the issue of Rosemary and Lee having children was going to be addressed this season. And from that, I inferred–along with many other Hearties I talked to–that this might be the direction the story was headed. But to actually see it play out…like you said, we’re used to the comedy stuff from you two. But this dramatic, somewhat intense storyline is amazing and one that I believe a lot of couples can identify with. And I have to say that seeing this sort of scene played out on screen is very nice to see. We don’t always see that kind of interaction and story between a husband and wife from any show on TV.

I agree, Ruth. We don’t typically see a husband and wife trying to figure out how to have those difficult conversations. It’s something that’s not just coming easily and tumbling out effortlessly. This is tricky territory for both of them. I really feel like the writers this season have handled it so beautifully and so subtly. This storyline and their whole journey for the two of them. And this journey is not over for them. Over these last few episodes, including the finale, we will get to see where their storyline ends up for them right now and into the future.

That’s right because we have season seven to look forward to. We know that their journey is not going to be over at the end of season six. I can’t even imagine what might be in store for them next season.

Exactly! And we haven’t even started having those conversations about what Rosemary and Lee’s journey for next season will look like. I’m really excited to start talking with Alfonso {Moreno}, our showrunner, to see what Lee and Rosemary might be up to next season. I’m very excited to see where their story heads next.

Alfonso is such an incredible addition to the show.

Yes, I agree, he’s such a wonderful addition to our show. I feel like he’s added such depth to these characters, even more than what was there already.

Of course, before this intense storyline, at the beginning of the season, I loved the whole part about Rosemary playing matchmaker with Faith and Carson.

I know! She finally got it right! She’s always had inklings about who should be matched up, and it’s never really worked out. But this one worked out. It was nice to see that Rosemary had an instinct and her instinct was right.

And she even kept it a secret! I didn’t think she was gonna keep it a secret.

I know, I know! She’s growing! She keeps us on our toes and keeps surprising us.

She does! She’s always that one that you never know for sure what’s gonna happen with her or what she’s gonna say next.

{laughs} Exactly!

Another scene I loved was the scene with the telephone.

Yes, wasn’t that funny? My favorite is when the phone is ringing behind the pillow and Lee asks what that noise is, and Rosemary says, “Oh, I’ve heard of this. Ringing in the ears!” {laughs} ” I think it’s from all your work at the sawmill.” {laughs} I thought that was such a funny scene when I first read it. I feel like Rosemary’s had some really good zingers this season. Every season, she has a few standout lines that end up becoming memes and are often quoted sayings of hers by the Hearties. But this season, I feel like she’s had a number of really good ones.

No doubt! I know that when the whole phone storyline was going on, I started thinking, “My goodness, if Rosemary lived now, can you imagine her with a smartphone?”

Oh gosh! She would just be a force. She would be like the ultimate influencer.

Well, these last episodes have not disappointed, and we are so excited for the finale. And I am grateful that we are seeing a married couple like Rosemary and Lee who are fun to watch. But there are also those moments where you can really identify with them.

I agree with you. I’ve been saying since season three that the writers have never wanted to pin down these characters and nail them down as just one thing. They’ve never been like, ” Okay, Rosemary is this larger-than-life comedic relief in the show…” they’ve never nailed her down to just one thing. In fact, I feel like every season, they’re looking for different ways and different angles to explore with Rosemary and how this character is growing as a human being as we all are–or should be–in life.

Oh yeah, definitely! And everybody is doing such an excellent job. But my mom and I truly adore Rosemary, so you, Pascale, are doing an incredible job as our favorite character.

Thank you, Ruth, I appreciate that.

The whole cast is so exceptional. Ideally, shows should be doing exactly what When Calls the Heart is doing. The show keeps getting better and more cohesive and the storylines just keep getting better and better. I can see that progression every season. I’ll think it can’t get any better, and then it does.

You know, I really feel like that is an anomaly. I think a lot of shows hit their stride and their high point around season three or so, and then they kind of lose their way for the next few seasons. And I really don’t feel that way about When Calls the Heart. Much like you’re saying, I feel like it’s gotten better and better every season. The stories get stronger and more fleshed out. The relationships between the characters get deeper and more connected and involved.

I couldn’t agree more, Pascale, and I hope that continues for many seasons to come. Now, I don’t want you to give away any spoilers, but what can you tease about the rest of the season and the season finale?

Well, I will say that I have a scene with a clown that is prominently featured. And the clown isn’t Lee. {laughs} That’s a funny little thing to look forward to. But I would also say as far as the storyline, what we see is the joy, love, and admiration that Rosemary and Lee have for one another. We will see that come into full bloom more than we have ever seen it before in the season finale. I think that it’s a beautiful place for these two to get to.

I noticed Hope Valley is becoming a little more modern in the show as well. Fiona is showing off her ankles. I’m thinking all this modernization is going to affect the town next season as well. I figure Hope Valley will be even more modern next season.

Well, yeah, we are in the era when business and invention started happening, and all that would be making its way to smaller towns like Hope Valley.

Is there someone you would like to have more scenes with next season?

You know, that is one of Alfonso’s favorite things to do. He likes to take two characters that we don’t normally see together and then throw them in a scene and see what happens and have that new dynamic reveal new sides of each of the characters’ personalities. If you remember that in one of the episodes this season, we saw Florence {Loretta Walsh} and Fiona {Kayla Wallace}. Of course, we’d never seen those two together. And it revealed this hilarious and really vulnerable side of Florence that we’ve never seen before that episode in season six.

I loved that pairing! We learned so much about Florence, and it was so much fun.

For me personally, I really liked –and this doesn’t happen very often–how at the beginning of the season, there were these scenes where Rosemary and Gowan and Bill were campaigning to buy the saloon. Rosemary was working different angles to get them to promise her various things. I thought that was a funny dynamic with those two guys because they are so stern and Rosemary is the antithesis of that. And I think it was really funny seeing them trying to navigate Rosemary and then seeing how they’re not very successful at it. I mean, Lee is so good at dealing with and enjoying Rosemary’s theatrics. But Gowan and Bill look more like they’re treading water when Rosemary’s around and barely keeping their head above water. I think any time I’ve been in a scene with the two of them or even one or the other, it’s pretty fun.

The other one–I didn’t have any scenes with her–the new character named Allie as played by Jaeda Lily Miller. I’ve been watching her and she is so spunky and fresh and fun. I would love for Rosemary and her to get into some mischief together. I think they would have such a good time. I think Jaeda is an amazing little actress, and I think it would be really fun to see these two characters together on-screen.

Oh, I love Jaeda! That would be a blast! I could definitely see you two in a scene together. I really hope that happens.

Me too. She is so smart and spunky. I think she is quite a little force to be reckoned with.

Now, do you think Rosemary will ever get her theater?

Oh my goodness, right!? I don’t know! It’s ridiculous! Enough already! Come on, Lee! Get it together! I honestly don’t know. She should get her theater. And it would be wonderful if she did get her theater. But I just don’t know. She’s been more than patient, and it’s not happened yet. But I’m still keeping my fingers crossed.

Do you think maybe Lucas could help out? He could make some upgrades to the saloon.

Well, you know he wasn’t that keen on Rosemary’s proposal to be the saloon’s entertainment. If you remember, he turned her down and then had that self-playing piano come and be the entertainment. I don’t know if he’s really her ally or someone she can trust on that.

I know the fans have mentioned this in the past, but it would be nice if Rosemary gets the chance to sing again.

I know, I’ve always been saying that. I would love for that to come about, but I don’t know if it will. I keep on dropping hints about that every season. One of these years they just might listen to me.

I know there is so much musical talent in the cast, as we’ve talked about before. And I know that a lot of the cast members have expressed an interest in doing a musical episode. I know a lot of shows that have done that successfully.

I know what you mean, Ruth.

Well, we’ll just keep throwing the idea out there and maybe one day, it will happen. Now, when I talked with Kavan, he mentioned another movie in the works with both of you.

Yes, that’s right, we are in the early stages of a new project. I believe it is moving forward. It is one that we are developing ourselves right from the ground up with Hallmark. So it’s a slow process, but it’s one that we’re really excited about. I have no more information than that, except that it is a project we are both really keen about with characters that we are really excited to play.

What Kavan mentioned is that…well, I don’t remember who went first, but he said one of you chose a character they wanted to play, and the other said they would play the opposite of that character.

Yeah, I was the one who chose first.

That’s what I thought, but I wasn’t sure!

So, yes, that was our starting point. I chose my character, and Kavan said he would play the opposite of my character. So we’re excited about playing these characters because we chose them ourselves and they are also very different from the characters we play on When Calls the Heart. Those were our requirements.

That sounds fantastic, Pascale. I know these things take time, but as we know, once things fall into place, things can happen pretty fast.

That’s how it was when we did The Perfect Bride 2. We had been talking about it and planning for it, and then all of a sudden, we were filming it really quickly. We went from having initial meetings about it to solidifying it to filming it in like three months, which is exceptionally fast. So that was kind of crazy how quickly that one came about. But this current project is not a sequel. We are really developing everything from the ground up, which takes longer. But I think it will be in a really good place once we actually get the script, the characters, the location, and everything else. I think it’ll be really good and something the fans will truly enjoy.

I have no doubt. After all, both of you are involved, so it’s bound to be exceptional. That’s just how you both are. You both are just incredible together.

Well, thank you. We both love working together, so we like to create opportunities to do that more.

Is there anything else upcoming that you can mention?

Not at the moment. I’ve been kind of laying low lately, so I don’t have anything to mention right now. It has been a long time coming, but I felt like I needed some quiet time so I could focus on my family and have a more simplified, day-to-day life for a while. The timing all worked out well because we’ll start filming season seven later this summer. Which is coming faster than we might imagine. So I just want to enjoy this time as much as I can till it gets busy again.

I think that’s wonderful, Pascale. From one mother to another, I understand completely. Our kids grow up way too fast.

That is oh so true, and I want to be sure to spend time with them now so we have lots of wonderful memories.

Well, Pascale, thank you so much for taking some time to chat with me today.

My pleasure, Ruth. Enjoy the season finale. And thank you and all the Hearties for all the support. It means so much.

Sometimes I don’t know what astounds me more about Pascale. Everyone knows she is a phenomenal actress, a genuine beauty, and a vivacious, vibrant woman. But whenever I speak with her, her intelligence, her wit, and her insight consistently impress me. Pascale is one of those extraordinary individuals who invariably projects an indefatigable spirit, a pragmatic determination, and an effervescent charisma no matter where she goes. In addition to all these remarkable attributes, her pragmatism and authenticity emblazon her very essence with an approachable vibe that not all people possess. It is as though Pascale understands the typical working woman and mom of today’s society, and the connection she makes with her fans is instantaneous and captivating. While every actor I’ve ever met maintains an aura of congeniality, Pascale tends to extend that ambiance in spades which draws even more people to her corner. And if she and Kavan are paired together, you can bet the fans will flock to them, and those two will never complain. Talk about a force in this business that bespeaks a radiant spirit and a down-to-earth demeanor…that is at the foundational core of Pascale, and the more I became acquainted with her, the more I realize what an asset she is to Hallmark and to this world.

Please make the extra effort to tune in to When Calls the Heart tonight (June 2nd) either on the Hallmark Channel (USA) or Super Channel Heart & Home (Canada) for the season finale that will remind us why this show is such a gift and why Rosemary is one of its most treasured and beloved characters. Additionally, please check out Pascale’s links below and I implore you to follow her on every social media platform available. While it is true that she is one busy wife and mother, she regularly makes it a point to interact with her fans whenever she can. And when she does, you can trust that it will be entertaining and intuitive! I can hardly wait to see what Hallmark, Kavan, and Pascale cook up for their next movie project, and the next season of When Calls the Heart will give us even more of the Coulters (maybe with an adopted child in tow??). While I am sad that season six is drawing to a close, I am grateful to Hallmark and When Calls the Heart for introducing me to one of the most marvelous women on the planet–Pascale Hutton. I am honored to be able to know her and support her as I do, and I know that the other Hearties are just as passionate as I when we say that our favorite married couple on the show is Rosemary and Lee! So here’s to a lengthy, successful career of fun roles for Pascale, as we ecstatically celebrate everything coming her way in the weeks, months, and years to come!

FOLLOW PASCALE

Feel free to check out my past interviews with Pascale:

Interview With Actress Pascale Hutton, “When Calls the Heart”

Interview With Pascale Hutton, “When Calls the Heart”

FOLLOW ME

Spread the love

About the Author

RuthView all posts by Ruth

“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” — Franz Kafka Ruth is an inspirational entertainment journalist who instinctively sees the best in all and seeks to share universal beauty, love and positivity. She is an artist who leads with her heart and gives readers a glimpse of the best of this world through the masterful use of the written word. Ruth was born in Tacoma, Washington but now calls Yelm, Washington her home. She lives on five acres with her parents, a dog, two miniature goats, cats and a teenage daughter who is a dynamic visual artist herself. Ruth interviews fellow artists both inside and outside of the film/television industry. At the core of all she does is the strength of her faith.

Tags: Hallmark, Hearties, interview, movie, television, When Calls the Heart

Permanent Link

Media From the Heart by Ruth Hill

Interview With Actress Pascale Hutton, “When Calls the Heart”

About the Author

2 Comments

Add comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Copyright Protected

Interview With Actress Pascale Hutton, “When Calls the Heart”

About the Author

Related Articles

2 Comments

Add comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Copyright Protected