Amber Marshall Reflects on Her Long-Running Heartland Role
Heartland's Amber Marshall: A Decade of Amy Fleming and Ranch Life
When Amber Marshall first stepped into Amy Fleming’s boots, she couldn’t have imagined she’d still be riding alongside her fifteen years later. But Heartland, CBC’s quietly powerful family drama, didn’t just survive. It became a national staple—thanks, in no small part, to the woman at its center.
“Amy’s had a pretty tough life,” Amber says, sitting comfortably on her Alberta ranch. “She lost her mom in the very first episode. That kind of grief doesn’t just go away. It shapes who she becomes.”
It’s that emotional honesty that’s kept viewers tethered to Amy’s story. Through heartbreak, healing, and moments of quiet strength, Marshall has carried the character through 266 episodes—and counting.
Playing Through the Pain
One storyline that stuck with her? The arc where Amy loses her sight.
“Portraying that fear… the uncertainty of ever seeing again—it was tough,” Amber admits. “Her sight is everything to her. That episode really made me stop and think.”
She doesn’t overplay the drama. That’s never been Heartland’s style. But the emotional weight? It's real. And it's lived with her, long after the cameras cut.
More Than a Set — A Lifestyle
Filming long days in Alberta’s unpredictable climate has its demands, but Amber doesn’t just clock out and head to the city. Her real home is a 100-acre ranch near High River, where the lifestyle mirrors Amy’s more than fans might expect.
“Chores are my way to unwind,” she says. “Feeding the animals, watching the horses graze… it's a rhythm I love.”
Her six horses—Cash, Hawk, Cinch, Nitro, and two miniatures, Talon and Screech—aren’t just pets. They’re part of the family. And on a good evening, you’ll find her riding bareback into the sunset, no script in sight.
The ranch isn’t quiet either. Cats, chickens, pigs, cows—they all have their place.
“It’s a lot of responsibility,” Amber says, “but it’s also a lot of joy. It keeps me grounded.”
Behind the Scenes, She’s the Horse Expert
Amber’s title may be “actress,” but she’s also a consulting producer—and that role matters. Especially when horses are involved.
“The writers are often city folks,” she explains. “So I’ll step in and say, ‘That wouldn’t work with a real horse,’ or ‘This might be unsafe.’ It’s about protecting the animals, and keeping it real.”
And yes, that includes her own animals. Her pony, Talon, even played a rescued horse on the show.
“Making him look starved was hilarious,” she laughs. “He’s round by nature—he loves snacks and attention.”
She’s also picked up advanced training techniques during her time on set. Liberty work in Season 5 was a turning point.
“Working with Nikki Flundra taught me so much. It made me a better horsewoman—not just for the show, but in real life.”
Amy Fleming, Then and Now
When a show runs as long as Heartland, it risks going stale. But Amy hasn’t. That’s something Amber’s proud of.
“They’ve let her grow. Get married. Have a child. Mourn. Move forward. That’s rare in television.”
She’s not playing the same Amy she was at 18. And maybe that’s why fans are still watching.
“It feels natural,” she adds. “There’s always more to explore. Amy still surprises me.”
A Role That Became Something More
Amber Marshall didn’t just play a horse whisperer. Over the years, she became one. And while fame was never the goal, it’s clear she’s found something far more meaningful.
A life of balance. A character that keeps evolving. And a ranch that’s not just home—it’s a reflection of everything Heartland stands for.
Suggested:
- Amy and Ty’s Most Emotional Moments on Heartland
- Inside the Heartland Ranch: What Makes the Bartlett-Fleming Family So Special
