Deidre Behar

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Pregnant 'When Calls the Heart' Star Andrea Brooks Reveals the Sex of Baby No. 2! (Exclusive)

WARNING: Spoilers ahead! Do not proceed if you haven’t watched Sunday’s season 9 finale of When Calls the Heart!

Elizabeth Thornton is officially off the market!

During Sunday’s season 9 finale of <a href="https://www.etonline.com/tv/when-calls-the-heart" target="_blank">When Calls the Heart</a>, hearties around the world watched Lucas Bouchard pop the question to our favorite school teacher, in a dreamy and intimate proposal that adorably included her son, Little Jack. During a casual stroll, the youngster is busy collecting rocks before presenting his mom with the rock --&nbsp;prompting Lucas to ask for Elizabeth to be his wife.

ET spoke exclusively with&nbsp;WCTH's&nbsp;co-executive producer and writer, Elizabeth Stewart, who dished on that heartfelt proposal, the pair's evolved friendship with Nathan and what's in store for the Mountie's love life, how Rosemary and Lee will adapt to expanding their family, the status of Bill's health, Henry's road to redemption and more.

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ET: We just finished watching the last episode in season 9 of When Calls the Heart, and OMG, what a finale! Between <a href="https://www.etonline.com/when-calls-the-hearts-erin-krakow-and-chris-mcnally-spill-details-on-lucas-and-elizabeths" target="_blank">Lucas proposing to Elizabeth</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vHIcP_Uh_s" target="_blank">Rosemary telling Lee they’re expecting</a> a baby, how are you feeling? How do you hope the hearties are feeling?

Elizabeth Stewart: I hope the hearties are feeling as excited as we are to dive into these long-anticipated events. But it was important to let Elizabeth take her time with Lucas and for Rosemary and Lee to become contented with their lives together before the baby surprise.

Let’s start with Elizabeth and Lucas. Was it always the plan for season 9 to end with them getting engaged? 

Plotting out a season is always an organic process, built step by step, but yes, we hoped by season’s end to have earned Lucas’ proposal. 
&nbsp; 
Elizabeth has had a lot of grand, cinematic moments: her proposal from Jack, wedding to Jack and <a href="https://www.etonline.com/when-calls-the-heart-cast-reacts-to-elizabeth-choosing-lucas-and-that-passionate-kiss-exclusive" target="_blank">her kiss on the bridge with Lucas</a>. Tell me about the decision to make Lucas’ proposal to Elizabeth a bit more intimate and relaxed (but equally as heartfelt). &nbsp;

Elizabeth is in a different place than she was with Jack. The experiences of widowhood and motherhood have deepened her.&nbsp;I don’t think she needs or even desires to be swept off her feet in quite that once-in-a-lifetime way she was with Jack. Including Little Jack in the proposal is a signal that her top priority now is as a mother.

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Lucas specifically asks during his proposal to be a father to Little Jack. How will their bond evolve as they officially become family? &nbsp;

We made a conscious effort in season 9 to bring Lucas and Little Jack together. They are definitely “Buddies!” But as Lucas becomes Little Jack’s stepfather, that relationship will obviously evolve.

What’s next for the soon-to-be Bouchards? Have you started conceptualizing their nuptials and if it’ll be similar in tone to their proposal? Will they elope or have a wedding with all their favorite folks in Hope Valley? &nbsp;

All I can say is that the course of true love never did run smooth!

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Nathan’s friendship with both Elizabeth and Lucas developed into new levels of kindness and understanding in season 9. Tell me about evolving them from a love triangle to three friends with mutual adoration and respect?

For so long, Nathan carried the weight of his guilt around Jack’s death and his heartbreak at losing Elizabeth. It’s been a delight to watch him lighten up a bit and to find true friendship with Elizabeth and even Lucas. I think a large part of that is due to the chemistry between Erin, Kevin and Chris and their amazing performances.

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What’s next as the <a href="https://www.etonline.com/wcths-pascale-hutton-and-kavan-smith-tease-twists-and-turns-after-rosemarys-pregnancy-reveal-183732" target="_blank">Coulters prep for a baby</a>? Will we see Rosemary with a baby bump as her pregnancy progresses? Will she have a tumultuous labor scene, similar to how Elizabeth gave birth?

I expect that Rosemary with approach giving birth with the same take-charge attitude with which she approaches everything else --&nbsp;which of course means she’s in for some shock and surprises! 
&nbsp;

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Mei Sou has been such a wonderful addition to Hope Valley. We’re so happy she returned to town --&nbsp;and naturally, reconnected with Nathan and even spent time with Allie! Safe to assume they’re now a couple? &nbsp;

I don’t think it’s safe to assume anything when it comes to love and relationships, especially in Hope Valley!

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Faith admitted her feelings for Nathan, but by the end of the season 9 finale, she seemed at peace with him reuniting with Mei. With Carson gone and Nathan seemingly with Mei, is she longing for romance --&nbsp;and will she find it soon?

I think Faith is in a place where she would love to find love but she’s also grateful for the full life she has, between her medical career and her friendships in Hope Valley. Maybe she sees that as enough or maybe she’s just convincing herself of that.

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Season 9 ends with the town rallying behind Henry, even hailing him a hero and Florence apologizing --&nbsp;but he’s still behind bars and facing serious time. What lies ahead for Henry? &nbsp;

I think Henry will continue on his path towards redemption and forgiveness. Of course, his biggest challenge is forgiving himself.

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Bill’s health was a central storyline this season. He even presents Elizabeth with his estate plan but assures her he’s not going anywhere soon. How is he doing? &nbsp;

Bill has had a wake-up call with his health. If there is a season 10, he’ll have to make some big changes in the way he’s been leading his life.

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&nbsp;

Hickam saved the day after the saloon fire --&nbsp;and of course, Fiona was the first to toast and celebrate him. Where does their, could-be-more-than-friends, relationship stand --&nbsp;and will it ever evolve beyond trusted colleagues? &nbsp;

I love Hickam and Fiona as pals. Could there be something more between them? Quite possibly. But there are now a few single ladies in town, including Faith and Mei. If there is a season 10, maybe it will be Hickam’s chance to get the girl, but which girl?

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&nbsp; 
Joseph received a generous donation for the church --&nbsp;and Minnie encouraged him to swallow his pride and go after his business goals. What’s in store for the Canfields, personally and professionally?

The Canfields have become part of the fabric of Hope Valley. Whatever’s in store for them, they will secure their place at the heart of the community.

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Nathan and Mei reunite after she returns to Hope Valley, and while they definitely seem to connect, some fans were optimistic there may have been a kiss or something to advance a possible courtship. Why did you decide to not include something like that?&nbsp;

I think the feeling is that Nathan shouldn’t be in a rush to get into a relationship with anyone. He’s finally made peace with losing Elizabeth. For now, his priority is Allie.

&nbsp;

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'When Calls the Heart' Boss Weighs in on Season 9 Finale Surprises and What's Next (Exclusive)

WARNING: Spoilers ahead! Do not proceed if you haven’t watched Sunday’s season 9 finale of When Calls the Heart!

Elizabeth Thornton is officially off the market!

During Sunday’s season 9 finale of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etonline.com/tv/when-calls-the-heart" target="_blank">When Calls the Heart,</a> hearties around the world watched Lucas Bouchard pop the question to our favorite school teacher, in a dreamy and intimate proposal that adorably included her son, little Jack. During a casual stroll, the youngster is busy collecting rocks before presenting his mom with the rock – prompting Lucas to ask for Elizabeth to be his wife.

ET spoke exclusively with series stars <a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/erin-krakow" target="_blank">Erin Krakow</a> and <a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/chris-mcnally" target="_blank">Chris McNally</a> via video chat to learn all the behind-the-scenes details of the engagement scene, what it was like filming with little Jack (Hyland Goodrich), what’s next for the couple’s wedding plans and their evolving friendship with Mountie Nathan Grant.

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“I think that everyone involved in a scene like this, cast and crew, understands the importance of it,” Krakow reflects of her character’s proposal. “There was a lot of care put into even just making sure that that road looked romantic and autumnal, and they decorated it with some beautiful leaves, and they just wanted to imbue it with that magical, romantic feeling. So there was a lot of care that went into it, and then, just so much time. It took a really long time,” she elaborates. Why? Well, the Juilliard School alum tells ET that it’s&nbsp;partially because they wanted to make the scene as enchanting as possible, and partially because “it was just the nature of working with a toddler.”

Of course, Krakow is referring to her on-screen son, little Jack, who plays a key role in Lucas’ proposal. McNally chimes in to explain that Goodrich was fascinated by the stunning scenery. “There were many distracting puddles along the way. It's really difficult not to float leaves as boats at every single puddle,” he says, affectionately, before adding, “I think that might have eaten up just a little bit of time.”&nbsp;

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But in all seriousness, McNally couldn’t be a bigger fan of the young actor, telling ET, “Hyland’s a really great kid, and despite the puddles, he's typically quite focused and he just seems to authentically enjoy being there and being a part of those scenes with us. So it really wasn't that difficult. That scene went by pretty smoothly.”

Fans of WCTH know that McNally’s character is never shy to deliver a grand gesture to impress his ladylove. However, one of Lucas’ teachable takeaways in season 9 was Elizabeth showing him that love comes in many forms – and doesn’t always need to be an opulent display. It seems Lucas internalized the note and channeled it into his proposal, which was simple and intimate, yet extremely heartfelt.

“I think that we were all on the same page in that regard, and I also feel like we all thought it would be great, and by all, I mean Erin and I and John [Tinker], I feel like we wanted to include little Jack in there somewhere as well. And especially since this season, Elizabeth, who's been helping Lucas grow as a person, and realize that not everything has to be done in a grand gesture,” McNally shares. “So this was his opportunity to acknowledge that that's resonated with him, and he's taken the biggest moment of his life so far and made it into the most intimate kind of special, personal and private way possible.”

Krakow echoes McNally’s sentiments, telling ET, “I think John and our writers did a really beautiful job creating a proposal that felt unique to this couple and this young family and quite frankly, different from the Jack and Elizabeth proposal, which was over the top in that way. I thought that the way it was handled was really understated and spoke to the more mature connection that these two people have together, and I was really happy with it.” The actress also praises her scene partner, and gushes over the “beautiful job” he did. “I didn't have a ton to say as he was going through his speech, and I didn't have to work that hard because you're just looking at his sweet face saying these beautiful words. And then he was like, ‘I think I want to twirl you. I think I'm going to just scoop you up and twirl you.’"

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That moment, which comes just moments after Elizabeth joyfully agrees to marry Lucas, was an improvisation crafted by McNally. He says with a smile, “It felt like the moment deserved a twirl, so yes. You ever have those moments in your life where you're like, ‘This is a twirl moment?’ It was one of those.”

And for hearties who are still swooning over Lucas’ poetic words to his soon-to-be bride, the Vancouver native tells ET that they were written with a specific vision and intention. Before asking Elizabeth to be his wife, Lucas asks if she’ll allow him to be a father to her son. McNally says the order of Lucas’ questions was done by design.

“I think John definitely put that [question] first on purpose,” he muses. “I think that it's a priority that little Jack is taken care of and has a father figure. And of course, both being a husband and a father are important things, but I feel that John wanted to lay down that Lucas is very, very serious about being a role model and a father figure to Jack, so that's why it was prioritized.”

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For Krakow, she admits she didn’t give “too much thought to the order of what he was saying.” However, after thinking it through, she concludes, “I suppose if it had been the reverse and Lucas had said, ‘Will you be my wife? Oh, by the way, I also want to be a father to your child,’ it doesn't really flow quite as well. So I think that makes sense. I agree with the way it was handled.”

Leaning into that father figure role is something fans saw a lot of in season 9, as Lucas’ bond with little Jack grew stronger. The pair even coined a sweet nickname for each other, “Buddy.” While the actors confirm that the term of affection was scripted, they share its adorable origin story. McNally reveals, “I'm fairly certain it came from [WCTH director] Peter DeLuise… it came from his past and a relationship he had with either his grandparent or father, and the word ‘buddy’ was used as a term of endearment. And that's how it made its way into the script.” Krakow adds, “I also thought that it was initiated by you calling Hyland ‘buddy’ just off the cuff one day. And then they wrote it in because it was meaningful to Peter and because it made sense for your characters.”

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Another element of the proposal that the actors&nbsp;influenced? Elizabeth’s engagement ring. Krakow shares that she and McNally collaborated on selecting the sparkler, telling ET, “It had to make sense as a piece of jewelry that Lucas would select for Elizabeth, and so I think we all did a nice job creating that together.” McNally agrees, explaining, “We were all on the same page. We all wanted something that was elegant and classy and kind of timeless, something that represented things that Lucas holds dear, and something that would suit Elizabeth as well, and it came together.”

As for what’s next, well, fans will have to continue crossing their fingers for a season 10 pickup from Hallmark Channel. Until that news is announced, we can only speculate about the future Mr. and Mrs. Bouchard, and what their wedding celebration could look like.&nbsp;

Krakow marvels at the idea of filming a travel episode, where Elizabeth and Lucas tie the knot in Paris – a possibility that McNally is fully on board with. However, she elaborates that she could see the characters eloping or throwing a big Hope Valley affair.

“I can see it happening either way, really, and I don't want to get too attached to any version of it in my imagination because we've got some amazing writers who are going to come up with something wonderful, assuming of course we get married in a season 10,” Krakow says with a smile. “But yeah, I could see it going either way. I don't know if it would be in Jack's church, maybe somewhere else.” For McNally, he admits he hasn’t given the nuptials too much thought. &nbsp;“I just take things one thing at a time, so if we get a [season] 10, then I'll consider it.”

And without getting too ahead of ourselves, the idea of Elizabeth and Lucas expanding their family presents an opportunity for even more exciting storylines. “I think that Elizabeth and Lucas are on the right track for a really beautiful love story, and they have little Jack to focus on,” Krakow explains. “Whether their family is complete, the three of them, or if it grows, there's just an awful lot of love there between them, and yeah, I'm excited to see where it could go.” When McNally is asked if he wants to have more kids on set, he sums it up by sweetly saying, “I’ll take more Hylands on set. Hyland’s a blast.”

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As Lucas and Elizabeth prepare for the next steps in their future, it seems Mountie Nathan Grant is moving on with his life, too. You’ll recall, the trio was embroiled in a seasons-long love triangle, with Elizabeth ultimately choosing to pursue a courtship with Lucas at the end of season 8. Throughout season 9, we watched Nathan gracefully pick up the pieces and get better acquainted with a few ladies in town, including Dr. Faith Carter and newcomer Mei Sou. All the while, he was able to strike up a friendship with Lucas and even playfully tease Elizabeth about her romance. 
&nbsp; 
“I think I will forever enjoy the evolving dynamic that the three of us are still creating,” Krakow shares. “I'm really happy with where things ended in the dynamic at the end of season 9. I think that there's still a lot of care between those characters, all three of them, for each other. And that's just displayed in different ways. Nathan does a lot of poking fun of Elizabeth, but I guess Elizabeth kind of put him through it, so maybe she deserves it… I think it's a very natural, but still very caring dynamic.”

“I hoped that they would get there,” McNally says of Lucas and Nathan’s budding friendship. “It's happened, so if we do get a season 10, I'm looking forward to seeing how it progresses from there. It's a fun dynamic.”

“I sort of hope for everyone's sake that we're not on our way toward another triangle because I'm not sure I could take it!” Krakow exclaims. But, ultimately, she concludes, “It seems like Nathan is opening his heart again, and I imagine he will. He is a real catch, so I'm sure he will find love very soon.”

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Meanwhile, life is about to become very busy for Rosemary and Lee Coulter, who discovered in the season 9 finale that they're expecting their first child together. To find out what Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith had to say about their characters' journey to parenthood, including how they'd like to see Rosemary's pregnancy and delivery play out, and if they prefer a baby boy or a girl, watch the video below.

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'When Calls the Heart's Erin Krakow and Chris McNally Spill Details on Lucas and Elizabeth’s Engagement!

Coulter family, party of three!

After years of publicly expressing a desire to see their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etonline.com/tv/when-calls-the-heart" target="_blank">When Calls the Heart</a> characters, Rosemary and Lee Coulter, become parents, <a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/pascale-hutton" target="_blank">Pascale Hutton</a> and <a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/kavan-smith" target="_blank">Kavan Smith</a> are finally seeing their dream fulfilled. During episode 10 of season 9, Rosemary thinks she has a stomach bug, but is later informed by Dr. Faith Carter (<a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/andrea-brooks" target="_blank">Andrea Brooks</a>) that all signs point to pregnancy. But because of complications she’s experienced in the past, Rosemary decides to keep the news from Lee until she’s absolutely certain that their family is expanding -- thus, inviting viewers in on the secret before her other half finds out.

ET exclusively spoke with Hutton and Smith all about their characters’ milestone, including how the storyline shaped up and the “twists and turns” that lie ahead on their journey to parenthood.&nbsp;

“I'm just really pleased. I'm really pleased that it came to fruition,” Hutton gushes with a smile. “I'm happy with the story, how it unfolds. After so much speculation for so many seasons from the fans, it was going to be really hard to keep it a secret. It was going to be hard, storytelling-wise, to keep it a secret, have her have symptoms and not have everybody just assume right away.”&nbsp;

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The British Columbia native tells ET that she collaborated closely with showrunner <a href="https://www.etonline.com/when-calls-the-heart-boss-spills-on-elizabeth-choosing-lucas-and-teases-season-9-exclusive-165356" target="_blank">John Tinker</a> to present the storyline in an “exciting yet unknown” way -- which makes sense considering the time period, prior to the invention of ultrasounds or pregnancy tests. “It really was just a speculation, wait and see, and that's the journey of&nbsp;living in that, ‘I think I am [pregnant], but I don't know,’” Hutton explains.

As for Smith, he doesn’t hesitate to praise his longtime scene partner, whom he credits for bringing this storyline to the small screen. “It really did not have much to do with me,” he admits, before sharing, “It was something that we thought about from the very get-go, and I know we've talked about it a ton of times this year… but Pascale made that happen.”&nbsp;

And while the on-screen pair tied the knot in season 3, Smith says, ironically, he’s happy it took six seasons to arrive at a pregnancy. He expresses, “I think it was a no-brainer. It had to happen at some point, and I'm actually kind of glad that we waited so long because I think it is a struggle for a lot of people… I kind of liked that they had to go through this fire first, but really, this is all Pascale. She made this happen. She was not going to let it go.”

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Hutton tells ET that she had “a lot of say” in the creative direction of Rosemary’s journey to baby. She says she collaborated closely with Tinker on the decision to gently tease pregnancy symptoms before Rosemary, and eventually, Lee, discover the truth. “What I think, though, and I'm hoping is the case, is that the fans will really enjoy being in on the secret with Rosemary until Lee finds out,” Hutton muses. “They're in on it, and I think that that's hopefully, fingers crossed, going to be a really unique kind of journey for the fans to go on for the last three episodes until it maybe, possibly gets revealed [to Lee].”

Fans of When Calls the Heart know just how special this on-screen couple’s bond is. They often finish each other’s sentences and constantly demonstrate their commitment to each other, in good times and bad. So when it was revealed to the newspaper editor that she is&nbsp;expecting, many may have anticipated an overjoyed reaction and an immediate desire to share the news with her husband. However, Hutton explains why the show opted for a different approach.&nbsp;

“I've always thought, and I think what we've seen over and over again, is the bigger the life moment, the smaller Rosemary gets,” she recalls. “That made perfect sense to me, that it would be as small as possible. Those moments when Lee was in the infirmary and she was at his bedside. Those were really small moments. I always thought, that's an interesting juxtaposition in her character that the biggest moments, she becomes the smallest. I love it. I think that's real.”

As for Rosemary keeping the news to herself (at least, for now), the actress says that fans will ultimately get a satisfying resolution.&nbsp;

“I think what it does is, it builds that suspense, and then it's such an amazing, cathartic moment when [Lee] does find out, and that, I think, that's really special,” Hutton teases. She specifically appreciates that the beginning of Rosemary’s pregnancy is full of “vulnerability and cautiousness,” but says it will eventually blossom into “unbridled excitement, enjoyment, happiness and pure joy.”&nbsp;

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Smith echoes Hutton’s sentiments, telling ET that he initially felt it was a mistake to keep the news from Lee, but quickly changed his tune. He recalls, “I was like, ‘Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! No, no, no! It has to be big. It has to be special,’ and keeping it from him, I thought that that would take away from that, but it didn't. In the end, I love how it comes about. I love where we are. It's very intimate, just the two of us, which is what I wanted, and it's a really kind of sweet, funny moment of elation.”

As we await the moment that Lee discovers he’s going to be a father, the hearties can cling tightly to the tender scene where Rosemary’s closest friend, Elizabeth Thornton (<a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/erin-krakow" target="_blank">Erin Krakow</a>), learns the big news. After feeling her cool forehead and noticing her glowing complexion, Elizabeth realizes that Rosemary was never sick -- instead, she was showing early signs of pregnancy! The school teacher’s eyes well up with tears as she warmly embraces her longtime BFF.

Hutton gushes of filming that scene, “I love acting with Erin and she's always so present and so available. I knew it was going to be really special, but it caught me off guard because she was so emotional in such a beautiful way.” Specifically, Hutton loves that scene because “it's such a testament to their friendship and how close those two really are… they’ve had each other's back for everything and wanting to share in every single moment, good and bad and everything in between.”

And while Hutton and Smith are staying tight-lipped about what’s to come in the season’s remaining episodes, they tease that the hearties should buckle their seatbelts.

“There are still a lot of unexpected twists and turns to this story,” Hutton shares, cryptically. “It's still an unexpected journey that is unfolding. It's not just, ‘Yay, we're pregnant and here we go.’ There's a lot of twists and turns and it's not totally smooth.” Smith adds, “I would also say that it's not really over after the two [remaining] episodes, either. The twists and turns that are being established over the next two episodes, they are still going to be twisting and turning into season 10, if we're so lucky.” But, the Alberta native offers a promise to the loyal fans: “When we get to the end of the season, it's going to be an overwhelming feeling of joy, I think, for this couple, and it's been a long time coming. So I hope people enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.”

When Calls the Heart&nbsp;airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Channel.

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 ‘WCTH’s Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith Tease ‘Twists and Turns’ After Rosemary’s Pregnancy Reveal (Exclusive)

<a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/caitlin-mchugh" target="_blank">Caitlin McHugh Stamos</a> is pressing play on giving back!

ET can exclusively announce that the 35-year-old actress is channeling her passion for philanthropy into a podcast, aptly titled, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-can-i-help/id1612877209" target="_blank">How Can I Help?</a>, launching March 28.

“It's all about how I can help, and how my listeners can help, some incredible people who are making a positive impact on the world,” she explains. Proving it’s truly a project rooted in generosity, Caitlin reveals, “100 percent&nbsp;of the proceeds from the podcast go back to the nonprofits that I interview.”

The structure of the show is unique. Not only will the entertainer interview influential figures from notable organizations, but she’s also putting her learnings into practice.

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“I'm getting out in the field, I am volunteering,” she explains. “I am getting the sponsors of the show to not just support us, which I'm very grateful for, but Loungefly, for example… they donated 100 backpacks to the kids of ChildHelp Organization and we got to take a group of them to Universal Studios and gift them and it was such a beautiful day.” Ultimately, Caitlin says, “The hope is to build a community around this podcast that may take small actions in the hope of making a big difference in the world.”

For Caitlin, the idea of starting a podcast started as a macro concept. “I recognize our privilege and I think that there are so many people out there that want to help, but don't know where to start or you're not sure which organizations to look into. There's just so many and it's hard to really learn a lot about them and I thought that this could be a nice way to explore those options.” Each episode will cover a different topic, ranging from “how to help kids who are being abused, how to help people experiencing homelessness, how to help people with ALS, how to help people in all kinds of things.”&nbsp;

And while giving back may initially seem daunting, the Los Angeles native assures her audience that altruism comes in various forms. “I'll ask for big asks, like volunteering and donating money, but then there's also really small things that you can do, like sometimes, it's just calling or emailing your representative to make a difference, or even just spreading a little kindness in the world has a ripple effect that's good and positive and that's just what I'm hoping to do with this podcast.”

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Caitlin, an actress who met her now-husband, John Stamos, while co-starring in a 2011 episode of Law &amp; Order: SVU, confirms several celebrities will appear on the program, including John’s former Full House&nbsp;castmate, <a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/candace-cameron-bure" target="_blank">Candace Cameron Bure</a>. As a longtime supporter of <a href="https://skip1.org/" target="_blank">Skip1</a>, an organization dedicated to providing food and clean water to children around the world, Candace joins the show alongside the charity’s founder, Shelene Bryan. Henry Winkler’s daughter, Zoe, will also appear to talk about her work with <a href="https://www.thisisabouthumanity.com/" target="_blank">This Is About Humanity</a> – an organization she founded with a goal of raising awareness for asylum seekers and family separation at the border. And while many of the topics are heavy, Caitlin promises balance with her lighter Disneyland-themed episode. As a widely acknowledged aficionado of all things House of Mouse, Caitlin chats with a roundtable of fellow Disney influencers who share insider tips and tricks to have the best day ever at the Southern California amusement park.

But the&nbsp;Vampire Diaries&nbsp;alum’s first guest didn’t have to travel far: her hubby, <a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/john-stamos" target="_blank">John Stamos</a>! Caitlin confirms her other half is not only her first guest, but he’s also helping co-host the episode, centered around his nearly four&nbsp;decades working with <a href="https://www.childhelp.org/" target="_blank">ChildHelp</a> – a charity that gives back to abused children.

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As for mixing business with pleasure? Caitlin calls the experience “really great” and even jokes, “We did a short film together when we first started dating and that was sort of a big test for us of like, ‘Oh, if we survive that, I guess we could get married and survive anything.’”&nbsp;

Not only has it been fun to collaborate, but Caitlin also takes a moment to praise John and laud him for his support. “He's just a well of advice and knowledge and because of his own podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-grand-scheme/id1576026539" target="_blank">Snatching Sinatra</a>, he knows a lot about the podcast world and I've really leaned on him a lot through this time,” she says, smiling. “The best advice that John gave me was to not rush things too much… he's like, ‘Well, slow your horses. Make sure it's perfect. Make sure that everything is top quality, make sure we got it right, everything, technically, to make it the best it possibly is. I'm grateful to him for that.”

And while Caitlin’s dream guests include <a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/kaley-cuoco" target="_blank">Kaley Cuoco</a> (animal rights), <a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/olivia-munn" target="_blank">Olivia Munn</a> (<a href="https://stopaapihate.org/" target="_blank">Stop Asian Hate</a>) and <a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/america-ferrera" target="_blank">America Ferrera</a> (<a href="https://iwillharness.com/" target="_blank">Harness</a>), one guest she laments not being able to have on How Can I Help? is her and John’s close friend, <a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/bob-saget" target="_blank">Bob Saget</a>. The iconic comedian, <a href="https://www.etonline.com/bob-saget-full-house-star-and-celebrated-comedian-dead-at-65-177494" target="_blank">who died in January,</a> was a longtime champion for the <a href="https://srfcure.org/" target="_blank">Scleroderma Research Foundation </a>after losing his sister to the disease in 1994.

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“Bob Saget was one of the first people I wanted to interview. I came up with the idea of this podcast over a year ago, and I started just sort of formulating what it would be like, and organizations that I'd be interested in wanting to promote. Obviously, the Scleroderma Research Foundation that Bob was involved with was top of my list, and so he's passed, but I still very much want to spread the word about the Scleroderma Research Foundation and everything that they're doing,” she says.

Thanks to Caitlin’s friendship with Bob’s wife, Kelly Rizzo, hopefully that dream will soon become a reality. “She wants to do it,” Caitlin explains of the food and travel blogger joining the show as a guest. “We haven't nailed down a time yet, but I am very much definitely going to do that with her, and maybe bring on someone else from the foundation as well. It was something that was a very close part of him for so many years… It is absolutely part of his legacy that we want to live on.”

Two months following the late comedian’s death, Caitlin says life without Bob is “hard to wrap our heads around” and adds that “his absence is really being felt.” But amid their grief, Caitlin says there are moments that have provided her and John with a sense of comfort and joy.&nbsp;

“The other day, a friend of mine brought over this magazine that was dedicated to Bob. It was a bunch of really beautiful pictures from his life,” she explains. “My son saw it on the table and picked it up and just started kissing it, and holding it and just being like, ‘I love you, Uncle Bob!’ I mean, he'll do drawings and he'll just be like, ‘I'm making this one for Uncle Bobby.’ I have a few of them up in our bedroom. It is just like, ‘He's going to see it from heaven, right?’ It touches my heart. Even though he's not here with us, his presence is still very much felt and we've got pictures of him all over the place and he'll always be near and dear and close to our heart.”

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Last month, <a href="https://www.etonline.com/john-stamos-says-son-billy-is-obsessed-with-full-house-because-of-bob-saget-178716" target="_blank">John shared a heartwarming twist of irony </a>on his Instagram, posting a clip of the couple’s 3-year-old son, Billy, enjoying an episode of Full House,&nbsp;the ‘90s sitcom that put John and Bob on the map. The actor insists in the caption that Billy was never interested in his dad’s TV show, but ironically, Caitlin says their little guy has recently grown fond of it. “The other day, my hand to God,” Caitlin gushes, “We were in the playroom just hanging out and he said, ‘Cut it out!’ I went, ‘Where did you learn that?’ And he said, ‘Joey.’ I was like, ‘Do you mean Uncle Joey? From what?’ He said, ‘From watching Full House.’ I was like, ‘Oh my god!’”

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Billy turns 4 next month, and while the proud mom reveals he’s really into pranks, magic and movies like Sing 2 and Encanto, he’s also proving the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to giving back. Caitlin tells ET that her son is “really aware of others and how other people feel,” and praises him for showing empathy and kindness to others.&nbsp;

“We took the kids from ChildHelp to Universal Studios, and we brought Billy along, and he took some of his little money in his piggy bank and bought bracelets for all the kids. And for him to hand it and understand that, ‘OK, this is my money that I have, and I am buying gifts for these other kids,’ and to see him register that and the importance of that and the importance of community was really, really beautiful.”

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&nbsp;

Caitlin McHugh Stamos Launching Philanthropy Podcast, Plans to Honor Bob Saget and More Stars Giving Back

‘When Calls the Heart’ Cast Teases Season 9 Romances and Challenges (Exclusive)

Whoa, Nellie! A&nbsp;new face&nbsp;is trotting her way into&nbsp;Hope Valley.

Hearties, meet&nbsp;Amanda Wong,&nbsp;the actress playing Mei Sou on the <a href="http://etonline.com/when-calls-the-heart-season-9-premiere-date-revealed-exclusive-177277" target="_blank">upcoming season 9</a> of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etonline.com/tv/when-calls-the-heart" target="_blank">When Calls the Heart</a>.&nbsp;The British Columbia native, who&nbsp;previously appeared on shows like ABC's drama A Million Little Things,&nbsp;boasts a seriously accomplished résumé. She speaks multiple languages, earned a masters in journalism from the University of Hong Kong and even holds a Guinness World Record for largest finger painting (an honor she scored <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCuKxfpw99F/" target="_blank">while on a cruise with her family</a> and about 2,000 others).

ET exclusively chatted with Wong via email ahead of her&nbsp;WCTH&nbsp;debut, where it seems her character is equally as impressive as she is. "She’s got courage of conviction," the actress gushes, which was certainly reflected in <a href="https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/when-calls-the-heart-nathan-cant-take-his-eyes-off-mei-suo-when-they-first-meet-177097" target="_blank">our first glimpse at Mei So</a>u, when she captivates Mountie Nathan Grant after arriving in town (more on that below)!

Wong, who is of Chinese descent,&nbsp;also proudly tells us why she's thrilled to see her heritage represented on the long-running series. "I’m excited that a strong, intelligent, Asian woman is arriving in Hope Valley,"&nbsp; she shares. Read more below!

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&nbsp;

ET: Congratulations on joining the When Calls the Heart family! How did this opportunity come about?

Amanda Wong: Thank you for the warm welcome! I'd have to credit this opportunity to our showrunner, John Tinker, and actor, writer, director Peter DeLuise. They played a huge role in the creation of Mei Sou and have worked so hard to bring her to life!

Growing up, I’d never seen myself represented in English-speaking period films and shows, so being on WCTH is both surreal and life-changing. John and Peter really made me feel a part of the conversation with Mei and some of my real-life skills have been incorporated into her storyline. I’m excited that a strong, intelligent, Asian woman is arriving in Hope Valley, but I feel extra lucky that I get to be the one to play her.&nbsp;

Now that you’re a cast member, can you describe the experience of what it’s been like joining the show?

I remember my first day... I was so nervous; my stomach was full of knots! It’s always awkward being the new kid. I wanted to make my agent proud, I wanted to do a good job and represent Asian-Americans and I wanted to make friends. I remember seeing a post on Twitter or Instagram that said, "Being new at a job is so embarrassing for no reason.” Someone said, "It feels like you’re a new character on season 5 of a show.” Imagine being a new character in season 9!&nbsp;

But, fortunately for me, I get to work with a lot of truly amazing people. I was welcomed with open arms and immediately felt a part of the group. Hope Valley is exactly as wonderful as everyone imagines it to be. It’s absolutely idyllic, everyone is kind and the snacks are great!&nbsp;

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Tell us about your character, Mei Sou: Who is she? What is she like? How does she wind up in Hope Valley?

Now, what is Mei like? Let’s just say Mei might or might not have ridden into town on a very fast brown quarter horse. Ha! But in all seriousness, Mei (meaning “beautiful”) is truly a spectacular woman. She’s got courage of conviction, she’s strong and intelligent, loves animals, and is super passionate. She’s not without flaws, but she’s got a lot of admirable qualities.&nbsp;

What are you most excited for fans to see with Mei Sou this season? Is there one scene you can tease that cannot be missed?

Mei truly is an amazing character and I’m excited for our fans to fall in love with her, as I have. As far as a scene that can’t be missed… the season is jam packed with them! I can’t pick a favorite, but I can say that Mei really makes an entrance. Fans will just have to watch and let me know which scene is their number one!&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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In the <a href="https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/when-calls-the-heart-nathan-cant-take-his-eyes-off-mei-suo-when-they-first-meet-177097" target="_blank">sneak peek clip we’ve seen</a>, Nathan seems pretty taken with Mei Sou. What can you tease about their storyline this season? Can we expect some romance?

Ha! You know, the sneak peek was filmed only moments after Kevin McGarry and I met for the first time. Kevin is such a talented and charismatic guy, the chemistry translated so easily on screen. Now I don’t want to spoil the fun and give anything away, but it doesn’t end there.&nbsp;

Does Mei Sou become close with the women in Hope Valley? If so, whom does she bond with most?

Mei does become close with the women in Hope Valley. She gets to know Florence, Molly, and Faith quite well. I can’t say much, I know Hearties miss nothing!&nbsp;

Describe season 9 of WCTH in 3 adjectives!

Exciting, impactful, heartwarming!

&nbsp;

Make sure to stick with ET throughout season 9 of When Calls the Heart,&nbsp;because we'll be sharing exclusives, clips and interviews with your favorite faces from Hope Valley. To catch up on the latest, watch the video below.

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&nbsp;

'When Calls the Heart's Amanda Wong Introduces Mei Sou and Teases 'Chemistry' With Nathan (Exclusive)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: <a href="https://www.etonline.com/tv/when-calls-the-heart" target="_blank">When Calls the Heart</a>&nbsp;is back on television!

ET can exclusively reveal that season 9 of the beloved Hallmark Channel drama will premiere Sunday, March 6 at 8&nbsp;p.m. ET/PT. Plus -- there’s an extra cherry on top: once again, hearties will be treated to 12 all-new episodes. It’s a precedent that was set in season 8, when the long-running series was <a href="https://www.etonline.com/hallmarks-when-calls-the-heart-sets-season-8-premiere-date-exclusive-157972" target="_blank">upped from their previous 10-episode order</a> in seasons past.

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This next chapter in Hope Valley, which Hallmark promises will be full of “romance, drama and friendship,” will pick up where things left off in the <a href="https://www.etonline.com/when-calls-the-heart-cast-reacts-to-elizabeth-choosing-lucas-and-that-passionate-kiss-exclusive" target="_blank">season 8 finale</a>. Some of the most memorable moments include Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) choosing to pursue a courtship with Lucas (Chris McNally) over Nathan (Kevin McGarry), Rosemary (Pascale Hutton) and Lee (Kavan Smith) finding new career passions and Angela Canfield (Vienna Leacock) gaining the support of her schoolmates to successfully enroll in Mrs. Thornton’s class.&nbsp;

ET has learned, “Hope Valley is in a state of growth, with the foundry’s progress and the evolution of key relationships. &nbsp;The Mayoral race has the town buzzing with a few members of the town running against one another. Elizabeth and Lucas focus on their relationship beyond courtship, and as she gets to know Lucas better, she learns about his past which gives Elizabeth pause about their future.”

In the&nbsp;exclusive image from season 9 below, it appears as though some major excitement is trickling into town. Faith, Nathan, Elizabeth, Little Jack and a few on-lookers appear stunned by something that occurs in the town center. Faith and Elizabeth especially look surprised -- perhaps Mr. Bouchard has some tricks up his sleeve?&nbsp;

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There’s also some new faces in town, like the striking Mei Suo. <a href="https://www.etonline.com/when-calls-the-hearts-amanda-wong-introduces-mei-suo-and-teases-chemistry-with-nathan-exclusive" target="_blank">ET spoke exclusively with the actress behind the role, Amanda Wong</a>, who describes her character as “strong and intelligent, loves animals and is super passionate.” Plus, after watching <a href="https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/when-calls-the-heart-nathan-cant-take-his-eyes-off-mei-suo-when-they-first-meet-177097" target="_blank">this preview clip</a>, it seems there’s potential for a romance with Nathan.&nbsp;

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Also joining the folks in Hope Valley this season is Hyland Goodrich, a young Vancouver-based actor taking over the role of Little Jack (Elizabeth’s son), previously played by twins Lincoln and Gunnar Taylor. Last month, ET exclusively revealed the news of <a href="https://www.etonline.com/when-calls-the-heart-little-jack-role-recast-with-newcomer-hyland-goodrich-exclusive-176716" target="_blank">Goodrich’s casting</a> and the first photo of him on set with Lucas and his on-screen mom. Krakow, who’s also an executive producer on the long-running series, told ET at the time, “Hyland has brought so much joy and laughter to Hope Valley. He’s a natural in front of the camera and his improvisations had us all grinning! We can’t wait for the Hearties to fall in love with Hyland’s performance, as we have.”&nbsp;

Rest assured that ET will continue covering WCTH every step of the way throughout season 9 with many exclusives, clips and interviews to look forward to! But truthfully, we got a head start right after the season 8 finale, when we spoke with Krakow, McNally and McGarry about the resolution of the love triangle and what’s next for our favorite school teacher, saloon owner and town Mountie. Watch the video below to find out!

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&nbsp;

‘When Calls the Heart’ Season 9 Premiere Date Revealed (Exclusive)

Hearties, meet your new Little Jack!

ET can exclusively reveal that Vancouver-based actor Hyland Goodrich will take over the role as Elizabeth Thornton’s (<a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/erin-krakow" target="_blank">Erin Krakow</a>) son in the upcoming season 9 of <a href="https://www.etonline.com/tv/when-calls-the-heart" target="_blank">When Calls the Heart</a>. The role was previously played by twins <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiDgHUnWbfk&amp;t=21s" target="_blank">Lincoln and Gunnar Taylor</a>, who first appeared on-screen in 2019 shortly after the Hope Valley schoolteacher welcomed her baby boy. The actors went on to portray the youngster throughout seasons 6-8.

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Krakow, who’s also an executive producer on the long-running Hallmark Channel series, tells ET in a statement that she is “delighted” and “so excited” to welcome Goodrich as the slightly-older Little Jack. “Hyland has brought so much joy and laughter to Hope Valley. He’s a natural in front of the camera and his improvisations had us all grinning! We can’t wait for the Hearties to fall in love with Hyland’s performance, as we have.”

The Juilliard School graduate also adds, “We will miss Gunnar and Lincoln Taylor, who previously played Little Jack, but we will cherish all the memories we shared and they will always be very special members of our WCTH family!”

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Goodrich’s role as season 9's Little Jack marks his television debut. When he’s not on set, he enjoys spending time with his parents and older sister. His hobbies include playing with construction vehicles and monster trucks, strumming his guitar and riding his bike. The young actor&nbsp;also loves cuddling up with his cat, Zelda, while reading a book.

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ET spoke with Krakow in May, shortly after the season 8 finale, when Elizabeth chose to pursue a romance with Lucas Bouchard (<a href="https://www.etonline.com/people/chris-mcnally" target="_blank">Chris McNally</a>), the town saloon owner. “I'm very excited to get the kids back on the show and in a bigger capacity,” the actress told ET at the time, speaking to the restrictions that came as a result of filming during a pandemic. “I am really excited about this, because we have, somehow, avoided bringing Lucas into Elizabeth's space… I think it's setting us up well, there's just all of this new territory to explore in season 9.”&nbsp;

As for McNally, he echoes Krakow’s sentiments, telling ET, “​​I'm looking forward to next season… and seeing Lucas in more of a father-figure role, which I think you got a little glimpse of when [he had a meaningful conversation with Nathan’s daughter, Allie, in season 8]. I feel like we will see more of that and explore more of that.”

While Hearties will have to sit tight until early 2022 to watch the season 9 premiere of WCTH, ET has an exclusive sneak peek at the first footage. Watch Elizabeth and Lucas’ love soar to new heights in the teaser clip below!

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