Heartland Showrunner Reveals Why After 18 Seasons, the Story Isn’t Over Yet

After 18 seasons of shooting in Alberta, the Heartland cast and crew are used to unpredictable weather—but this summer delivered an ironic twist: they were filming a drought storyline in one of the province’s wettest years on record.

➡️ They were filming a drought storyline… during one of the wettest seasons in memory.

“It was quite a challenge showing characters out there talking about how if we don’t have rain, we’re not going to make it, in this lush green pasture,” shared Amber Marshall (Amy Fleming).

Writers planned the drought arc based on Alberta’s severe dryness in 2023, hoping to reflect real ranchers’ struggles. But the rain-soaked fields of 2024 forced the team to get creative, carefully framing shots to keep the lush greenery from ruining the illusion of drought.

Season 18 Story Highlights: Rivalries, Romance, and Ranch Life

While the weather plotline grounds the season, it’s just the beginning of the challenges ahead. A new threat emerges with Pryce Beef, a rival business aiming to take down the Bartlett ranch’s legacy.

• Lou fights back using her business skills to protect her family’s livelihood.
• Amy faces romantic turmoil, caught between Nathan Pryce Jr.—the rival rancher’s son—and Caleb, Ty’s best friend, who wants to move beyond friendship.

“Amy is becoming very close with Nathan... and it causes some ups and downs in the relationship with him and the family,” Marshall reveals.

A Legacy of Love, Loss, and Growth

Fans have watched Amy grow from a grieving teenager into a resilient mother, and Season 18 continues her journey of healing and rediscovery.

Meanwhile, Lou’s daughter Katie is nearly the same age Amy was when the series began—a poignant reminder of how Heartland has connected generations of viewers.

Horses: The Heart of Heartland

One thing hasn’t changed: the horses remain stars in their own right. As a producer, Amber Marshall ensures their stories stay authentic.

“Can we bring in new horse breeds? Are they comfortable on set? Can they do what’s needed? That’s where a lot of my time goes,” she explains. This commitment helps maintain the emotional connection between the show and its audience.

MNew Faces, Same Heart

Showrunner Mark Haroun, who started as a script coordinator in Season 1, believes Heartland’s success lies in its honesty and unique focus on family drama.

“It’s that combination of the cast and the kinds of stories we were telling. That sort of family drama didn’t exist on television,” Haroun says.

The series keeps things fresh by introducing younger characters while holding onto the soul fans have cherished for nearly two decades.

Can Heartland Keep Going?

It’s the question on everyone’s mind. Haroun says he has no shortage of stories to tell: “I feel like we have so many more stories to tell… I’ve never struggled to come up with stories because these characters are so rich.”

He hopes the CBC will give the team the time they need to craft a fitting conclusion—when that day finally arrives.

Catch Heartland Season 18 Sundays on CBC.

Fun Fact

CBC recently announced a new streaming channel dedicated entirely to Heartland, giving fans access to all 17 past seasons anytime.