It has been a journey of self-discovery for Katie Fleming-Morris on Heartland, and it’s resulting in some pressure along with her mother Lou (Michelle Morgan). The teenage angst is flowing throughout Season 18 of the long-running Canadian sequence. For actress Baye McPherson, who performs Katie, it’s one thing she will relate to in a number of methods.
Katie finds herself at a crossroads with a giant resolution to be made on the horizon. After a number of weeks hiatus, the ultimate episodes of the season will drop weekly beginning Thursday, June 19 on Up Religion & Household. Right here, McPherson opens up about portraying the long-time character and what’s to come back.
Congrats to you and everybody on Heartland for the Season 19 renewal. I perceive you’re filming proper now. What’s the early vibe on set?
Baye McPherson: The longevity of the present is fairly loopy, nevertheless it’s nice. We now have the same crew as final 12 months. Everyone seems to be tremendous enthusiastic about this season. There’s a good vitality within the air.
You got here on to play Katie throughout Season 15. How do you mirror on that point and the transition of taking up a job that audiences have basically seen develop up?
It was positively very daunting. I imply once I first booked the position, I used to be so excited. It was enormous. I bear in mind my first day on set I used to be so, so, so nervous. Becoming a member of a present that was at 15 years, I imply the present began earlier than I used to be born. It was positively just a little intimidating, however the second I stepped on set it felt like residence. I imply everybody was so welcoming and caring.
I needed to do a little bit of analysis on Katie as a result of she has had previous storylines and recollections which are typically talked about earlier than I joined. I did a good quantity of analysis when it comes to who Katie is and creating. It was additionally actually cool to place my very own spin and interpretation of who Katie is. It has been actually cool to develop along with her. I began once I was 12, and am 16 now. I discover it so attention-grabbing how Katie and I’ve related experiences. As I develop in life, and so does she. Her storylines present that. It was positively fairly daunting at first, however shortly grew to become a household.
Kasra Tai Wong as Brandon and Baye McPherson as Katie (Picture by: David Brown)
What sort of suggestions or recommendation did you get from these on set you actually took to coronary heart?
That first 12 months it was my first time being on a giant set like that. It was fairly scary, however the fantastic Michelle Morgan, who performs my mother, was instrumental in serving to me grow to be extra comfy on set. Issues like in a dinner scene the place it’s important to sustain your continuity. For those who take a sip throughout this one line for instance, it’s important to maintain doing that. It was one thing I’d by no means considered earlier than, so it was these little issues. Ensuring you hit your mark is one other tip.
I bear in mind the primary day filming on the Heartland ranch, she took me to Katie’s room to get conversant in it. She was like, “That is the place you grew up. That is your room the place you may have grown up.” I might say Michelle was actually useful. Shaun [Johnston} (Jack Bartlett) I had some lovely scenes that he helped talk through with me. Different directors of course in Dean Bennett and Ken Filewych, too. I had a great support system of people that were very willing to answer all of my questions. And I had a lot.
You mentioned Katie experiencing the same things you do at 16. There is a lot of relatability for younger viewers. How would you describe what she has gone through in Season 18 as she is trying to find her place? Whether that is on the Heartland ranch or not.
Katie has always kind of struggled. More or less, most people on Heartland have followed a similar route to Amy (Amber Marshall). The ranch lifestyle. Katie never really totally fit into that world. Seasons leading up to that one it was her trying to figure out what she wanted. What she wanted to do and what she was passionate about. During Season 18 she found writing. 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. 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.
Baye McPherson as Katie and Michelle Morgan as Lou (Photo by: David Brown)
How would you describe the dynamic between Katie and her mom throughout this season?
Katie did struggle during Season 18. There is tension with her mom on top of all the things with this adult writing group. At the end of the day, I think Katie and Lou love each other. I think Lou was willing to support Katie with whatever she wanted to do. Even through this tension and rebellious phase Katie had, Lou is always there for her. I think toward the end of the season, there comes a realization that Katie doesn’t have to feel the need to grow up so fast. She can still be a kid. She doesn’t have to know what she wants to be. I think that’s a beautiful lesson a lot of teenagers, including myself, have gone through.
How is it filming with Michelle, especially during the back half where things are boiling over?
It was interesting playing that dynamic of so much tension and emotions running high. It’s honestly really fun to play in that world. Michelle, I love so much. She is incredible, so it was really cool to talk it out with her and experience all these things with her. I remember having a phone conversation with Mark [Haroun] our showrunner as a result of he was telling me about Katie’s arc for the season.
I assumed, “I can’t imagine Katie is doing this.” Then once more that is Katie making an attempt so laborious to desperately slot in and discover a place she belongs. This author’s group was the primary place the place she discovered that. I feel as soon as Lou sees that, it’s when she has just a little little bit of forgiveness in that. As egocentric because it was of Katie, she nonetheless needs a spot to belong and actually felt that. It was this driving power and so correct with many youngsters. This season I like the arc Lou and Katie have collectively. That anger and frustration with Lou, and Katie making an attempt to defend her actions and lashing out a bit. Katie realizing she doesn’t need to develop up so quick and Lou realizing Katie has to study from these errors. And solely from these errors she will study.
What are your hopes for Katie? Possibly extra romance?
Yeah, it has been enjoyable to see completely different followers speculating about what she needs. This season she finds herself. Simply by means of the comfortability of who she is as an individual. That’s new for her in any case these struggles. Now I really feel like this season she is content material to be who she is, which is a very form 16-year-old who loves writing and grime biking and loves her horse Dodger. That is the season that Katie will get actually comfy with herself and permits herself to be who she is.
Heartland, Season 18, Returns Thursday, June 19, UP Religion & Household, Seasons 1-18 (Half 1) Streaming Now