By Shawn Smith
Baye McPherson was only 12 years old when she joined the hit series HEARTLAND. Now she’s back for Season 18, sharing how she has grown with her character, Katie, as she faces relatable teenage problems.
“Katie has always kind of struggled. More or less, most people on HEARTLAND have followed a similar route to Amy — the ranch lifestyle,” McPherson said referring to Katie’s aunt Amy (Amber Marshall), who runs the Heartland ranch. “Katie never really totally fit into that world.”
In the latest season her character discovers her passion — writing — and joins a writing group. Additionally, Baye McPherson says that her character is struggling to figure out her identity as she approaches adulthood, something that the actress can relate to.
“Of course, she had the difficult balance of wanting to grow up too fast. This is something I’ve experienced, and I know my friends have experienced. Having to take a minute and slow down,” the 16-year-old told TV Insider.
“Like wait a second, I’m still a kid and can act like one. There shouldn’t be these expectations that I have to know what I want to do with my life and know what I’m passionate about,” she continued.
On top of these challenges, Katie hits a rebellious streak which causes strain between her and her TV mom, Lou (Michelle Morgan).
“There is tension with her mom…At the end of the day, I think Katie and Lou love each other,” she said. “I think Lou was willing to support Katie with whatever she wanted to do.”
Offscreen McPherson had nothing but positive things to say about her costar Morgan, especially as she faced the first-day nerves of walking onto a big set.
“It was quite scary, but the wonderful Michelle Morgan…was instrumental in helping me become more comfortable on set. Things like in a dinner scene where you have to keep up your continuity. If you take a sip during this one line for example, you have to keep doing that,” she recalled. “It was something I’d never thought of before, so it was those little things.”
“I had a great support system of people that were very willing to answer all of my questions. And I had a lot,” the Alberta native added.
Morgan also praised her costar.
“I always love working with Baye McPherson. She is a wonderful actress and friend as well,” Morgan told TV Insider in another interview.
“Katie is going on her own path and journey. I think that falls along the lines of Lou losing sight of what’s important,” Morgan said of the rift between the mother and daughter. “Katie is going through something Lou is somewhat aware of, but there is some distance there. Katie is hiding things from Lou and keeping secrets from her. It will all come to the surface.”
Morgan confesses that it’s not just Lou’s daughter that gets off course.
Related: HEARTLAND Star Wants to Share This Message With Her Fans
“I think one of the things that is very relatable for me about Lou and our show in general is people’s lives don’t go in a straight line,” the actress said. “People can start going down the wrong track sometimes and run into hard times.”
She points out her character, focused on the family business, also “loses sight of what’s important,” but there is redemption.
“The beautiful thing about our show is people do get off the right path and get distracted, but we do end up getting back together and realizing what’s important, which is family and our ranch,” Morgan continued.
HEARTLAND, already the longest running Canadian drama series, was just renewed for Season 19 and is in the process of filming.
Amber Marshall made the exciting announcement on Instagram with the help of some young fans.
“Hey, I’m Amber Marshall, and I am so excited to let you guys know that HEARTLAND season 19 has been renewed!” she shared.
Meanwhile, you can catch up with the latest goings on at the Heartland ranch on Up Faith & Family TV.
Read Next: HEARTLAND: Episodes 18.1 and 18.2
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