For an updated interview with Mark, please see this post.

Devoted Hearties will probably remember the sad day that Mark Humphrey sent out the tweet stating the fact that he would not be involved in season five of When Calls the Heart. From that moment on, Hearties (led principally by Lori Loughlin herself) began to flood Hallmark with requests for Mark Humphrey be reinstated for season five. Interestingly enough, since that announcement, the interview I posted last year with this actor who portrays Pastor Frank has often been amongst the top posts on my blog. Thankfully, Pastor Frank will be back in these next two episodes of When Calls the Heart, and I was quite honored to have the opportunity to chat with this charming and compassionate man yet again.

Mark Humphrey Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

RH: Thank you so much for making the time for this interview, Mark.

MH: Ruth, thank you for reaching out. I really appreciate it.

It is amazing to me just how popular your interview from last year has become. 

Wow. I wonder how that happened.

Well, I do remember the Hearties response when you posted you would be unable to return to When Calls the Heart season five. In fact, I remember how Lori Loughlin went to bat for you and asked Hearties to make their voices heard since it didn’t seem like you would be returning.

I cannot thank the Hearties enough for their support. I have felt so embraced by them. And as you see, I am now back for two episodes. That was a nice surprise for me. At least this way, Pastor Frank can tie up a few things before he moves on.

We are all sad to see you go, Mark. Your presence in Hope Valley will be missed.

As the old saying goes, that’s show business. Sometimes characters do have to move on just like they do in real life.

At least you are back for two episodes. I was so happy when I found that out. I’m sure you were too.

I am very happy I got to come back. I really do enjoy the camaraderie of the cast and crew. I’ve had the opportunity to bond with some of them. I understand I am a supporting cast member, so Pastor Frank’s storylines don’t always get as much attention, but I’m happy to have made the connections that I have with the cast, crew, and Hearties. In my working routine, I always do my best to lead with love, and I believe that policy has served me well. I always try to focus on how I can be of service to someone else so that the focus is off of me. I always try to keep the right perspective in this business, and even though it’s time for Pastor Frank to leave, I am leaving on good terms. We are all professionals, and with shows, these things do happen. And you just have to be flexible and leave with a positive attitude. I really loved my time on the show. Shooting on that location was wonderful, and any time I got to jump on a horse was just great. I will always appreciate my time with the other actors, and getting to know the other guys was such a blast. When I was working with them, it was like we were all growing up together and challenging each other to continue to get better in our roles. It was a journey that I will never regret and will always look back on fondly.

The other thing I really enjoyed was working with Lori and having this feeling that our characters were falling in love. Frank being in love was one of the most wonderful feelings in the world, and had we gotten to examine our relationship more, I was prepared to go deeper. I had plans for Frank to be more demonstrative in the future and play it that way more this season if I had the chance. I planned to really take care of Abigail more this season and show her bolder affection. It was time for Frank to stop holding back. Even though it’s not to be at this time, I am glad I had the opportunity to play Frank for three seasons.  And at least I got to play him a bit more this season.

When we spoke last year, I think I mentioned then how the best part of Frank for me was watching his character grow from the one that was potentially a bad guy whom you didn’t trust to one who was a good guy and very trustworthy. Your character definitely became a solid part of Hope Valley, and I liked seeing your character grow that way.

I loved exploring that too. It was wonderful when Abigail went to bat for me. That moved me a lot and solidified our relationship. That was such an enjoyable character arc for me. I am glad that Dr. Carson and I got things worked out last season. That was an unusual part of the story when Frank was trying to investigate this newcomer and broke into Carson’s room. Thankfully, they tied the issues up last season because I know that story arc was a bit unusual for some people to grasp. If you remember, there was that scene between Carson and Frank when everything was worked out very simply last season. I was glad there was some closure in that.

With Carter Ryan Evancic (Cody)

Another thing I really enjoyed was Frank’s time with Cody. I really enjoy working with kids. I raised my son into the wonderful young man he is today, and I enjoy sharing scenes with the kids. I’m really good with them, I think. I also enjoy doing sports, so I could see Cody and Frank doing a lot of that kind of stuff together.

So what can we expect from Pastor Frank in these final two episodes for him?

Well, of course, the one on tonight, I come back to perform the wedding ceremony between Jack and Elizabeth. This is what the Hearties have been waiting for, of course, for so long it seems. Abigail and Frank discuss a few things about their relationship as well. And then next week, that is the episode where I actually leave. You’ll see it. I won’t say exactly what happens, but Lori’s comment to me after we were done filming was, “Well if we have a sixth season, you’re only in the next town over.” So I guess there’s always hope that the show would bring Frank back. And if they wanted me to come back, I would be willing to come back unless another job conflicted with the show.

Lori Loughlin, Mark Humphrey Credit: Copyright 2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

I think I speak for all Hearties. We would love to see you come back to Hope Valley, so fingers crossed that a season six happens and Pastor Frank makes his way back. I know that the Hearties were quite adamant in the fact that they wanted your character back, and they were not happy that you wouldn’t be coming back. So hope is certainly not dead. I think the Hearties will keep it alive. 

I was quite happy that they let Frank come back so we could tie up the loose ends and I could make a proper goodbye. It was nice to get the chance to say a goodbye to everyone and work with them again. At least it is a fairly decent goodbye, and while it was difficult since I was the one leaving, I was still personable and did my best to be as professional as possible and realize this is just the way things sometimes happen. And maybe they will ask me back if there’s a season six. I certainly would love that.

I’m glad Hearties will get to see Frank in two more episodes, and who knows what will happen if a season six occurs? But at least we get to see you again, Mark. 

I know I’m not always as active on social media, and I just don’t think about updating stuff on Twitter or Instagram. It’s just not my thing. Now, my son loves that kind of stuff, and he posts regularly on Instagram. But for me, I suppose it’s something I should do, but I just don’t even think about it. I’m happy to live tweet when the show is on. But it works better for me to concentrate on my job. I’ve got auditions, and I need to focus on those and do quality auditions. That is the priority in my career now.

I understand what you’re saying, Mark, and you’re not alone. I tend to think that Instagram and other social media is more a tool for the young. While older people do get involved, many actors your age don’t post often on social media, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. 

Sometimes I do take a look on Instagram, and I see these kids with thousands of pictures of themselves. Every day they’re posting what they’re wearing–

–and what they’re eating too! {laughs}

{laughs} That is true. It’s kind of mind-boggling sometimes. I’m not that good at doing all that. My first foray into social media was with Twitter, and it was to support the show. And I’m happy to do that whenever I can.

The way I look at it, everybody is different in the way they handle social media, so I think what you’re doing is just fine. It’s more important to focus on auditions and booking jobs, in my opinion. 

I don’t think I really would want to focus that much on myself. I think it could be a little bit damaging to post thousands of selfies like that. I want to focus on others, not just myself.

I know everyone appreciates it when you tweet out something nice and positive, and even if you don’t respond, it lets us know what’s going on with you. Personally, I think that is perfect for you. Now, of course, the Hearties would like to know what you’re up to next. Any upcoming projects you can mention?

I will definitely keep everyone posted. Nothing definite right now, but I ‘ve had some great auditions that might lead to a booking of a feature film or a show. I’ll keep everyone updated for sure. It is pilot season down here in LA, and there’s a flurry of activity.

I do have a film company that I put together when I was in Vancouver with some friends of mine. Our plan was to put together a few short films. We are just finishing up the second short film now. All our cuts are done, and it’s with the composer now. That will be on the website when it’s done. And basically, these short films are just to firm up the people that are involved in the company and see how we work together. They’re not big, serious projects. And then we plan to produce collectively a feature film. That is something I’m really looking forward to. So when I’m auditioning, I’m also working on these short films and thinking about the potential feature film.

Recently, I also did some volunteer work for an elderly widow lady. It’s been raining a lot in LA, and my friend’s neighbor’s fence fell down. So I was able to go up there and help her rebuild her fence. This woman is worried that her cat will get out of the property, so that’s why the fence needed to be repaired. And I do like to get my tools out and do that sort of thing. In that way, I stay busy and I’m being productive. It’s an actor’s life, one day at a time. I try to stay hopeful and optimistic.

Recently, I saw an interview that I thought was interesting of Nicole Kidman. They asked her what she was working on, and she responded, “What I’m working on is trying to reconnect with the passion I had as an actor when I was first starting out.” And that is the kind of thing I’m doing right now too. I’m getting reconnected with that drive because this business can be so taxing. It can pull a lot of your passion away, so you have to fortify that passion and get reconnected with what it is about this craft that you love. There was a reason why I started doing it in the first place. That was fun to hear from an actress like her, and I feel like I’m getting reconnected with that passion for my work.

With his son, Luke

I remember we talked about your son last year.

Yes, Luke {Humphrey}, he’s a great actor. He’s out in Toronto and has been on some great shows. He was born in California and got a degree at NYU. He was an honor student, and he’s really doing well. He’s had all sorts of fun acting jobs out there.

It sounds like you’re a very proud dad, as you should be. I want to sincerely thank you, Mark, for taking the time to chat with me today. Hearties will miss you on When Calls the Heart, but we’ll follow you wherever the next part of your journey goes.

Ruth, I thank you and the Hearties for the awesome support. I am happy to have connected with the fans, and I look forward to continuing on to the next part of our journey together, wherever that may be.

I doubt there’s much I need to add to what has already been affirmed in this refreshing chat with Mark, but I will state the following: Mark’s attitude is decidedly one of the best I have encountered when conducting these interviews. While he was disappointed to be leaving the show, he never permitted those feelings to embitter him against anyone connected with the show. At all times, he was a consummate professional who handled himself with class, decorum, and understanding. Instead of viewing this as a final conclusion to a magical chapter in his life, he sees this as an opportunity to rediscover the beauty of life, the simplicity of philanthropy, and the exhilaration of reigniting the relentless drive that burns within his soul concerning his chosen profession. His optimistic outlook and benevolent nature have continued to sustain him through the ups and downs the life of an actor provides, and I have no doubt that this resilient artist will continue to sharpen his skills and ascertain new pathways in a business that requires one’s creativity, resolve, and fortitude to be tested sometimes, even beyond the breaking point. Thankfully, it would seem that Mark is up for the challenge, and he is ready and willing to tackle whatever is on the horizon for him.

So please tune in to the Hallmark Channel for the next two episodes of When Calls the Heart (March 18th and 25th), and be sure to watch out for the faithful and rugged Pastor Frank, as portrayed by this divinely talented actor, whose effortless characterization of this suave, but stalwart clergyman has resonated with so many fans over the past three seasons. There are a wide variety of topics covered in this show, and it is nice to know that sponsors like Christian home decor shops regularly promote such a wonderful family-friendly show. Furthermore, I implore you to consider following Mark via the links below as we eagerly await his next project (whether Hallmark or elsewhere). While the sincere aspiration of every Hearties’ heart is that Pastor Frank ultimately returns to Hope Valley next season, no matter what, we fans are enthusiastic enough about this man and his noteworthy talents to follow him wherever his path leads. Moreover, we will support him as long as he doesn’t grow weary of our efforts (and even then, I doubt he’d be rid of us; we Hearties are a fiercely loyal group!).

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