Interview: Amber Marshall from UPtv’s Movie Love In Harmony Valley and TV Series Heartland

Actress Amber Marshall has been the star of the long-running family drama Heartland since 2007, playing Amy Fleming, from a teenage girl, who like her late mother had the ability to aid injured horses, to a grown woman with a family of her own, as her multi-generation family deals with all the struggles and happy times on a family ranch. Heartland airs exclusively on UPtv, currently in its 13th season, on Thursdays at 8 PM (ET).

Amber will also be seen in this weekend’s latest UPtv movie Love In Harmony Valley. She will play Emma Willoughby, who returns to her hometown of Harmony Valley to reunite with her life-long best friend Tracey (Nina Kiri from The Handmaid’s Tale) since they were in a terrible car accident together. But while forgiveness comes easily for Tracey, it does not come so easily for her brother Will (Eric Hicks from the Canadian drama Cardinal), who holds Emma responsible. Now, Emma and Will are thrown together on a mission to revitalize the local winery that Tracey longs to run as soon as she’s well and soon, their common goal starts to ignite a spark between them.

Love In Harmony Valley debuts on UPtv on Sunday, July 12 at 7 PM (ET).

Join us as we get the chance to interview Amber about her latest movie, Heartland and much more:

You started acting when you were young. What has been the best piece of acting advice you have received?

Go with the flow. I think this occupation can be a stressful one if you let it. When I was going to several auditions each week, I would do my best, and then go home and forget about it. I found that worrying if I was “right for the role” was never worth the effort. Plus, if I ended up getting the role it was a happy surprise instead of being (a) let down if I never heard back. The same applies on set; do your best, and don’t worry about the things that are out of your control.

When you landed the role of Amy Fleming on Heartland did you have any idea then that it would become such a long-running favorite with TV viewers?

I was instantly drawn to the script – not only because I was a horse lover, but because there was not very many shows out there like it. I was positive and wholesome. Two qualities that I like to live by. I was not sure if it would be well received or not, since most were caught up in the fast-paced, grittier dramas of the time, but I am glad it wasn’t just me who was craving a breath of fresh air.

What would you say is the one attribute about Amy that you admire the most?

Amy can be stubborn just like myself, but I love how she always sticks to her guns when it comes to the well-being of her family and horses.

What drew you to the part of Emma Willoughby in the upcoming movie Love In Harmony Valley? You also got to act as a co-producer for this movie. Can you talk a little about what that experience was like?

Emma was exactly the character who I like to show the world. Someone who has good intentions, but a deeper truth that is hard to present to those around her. This journey for Emma was one that I believe many watching can relate to. It takes great strength to admit weakness, but also the support of those closest to you.

Can you tell our readers in your own words what Love In Harmony Valley is about?

This is a journey of childhood friends whose lives are torn upside-down after an automobile accident. Throughout the story we see relationships put back together and internal scars mended.

RELATED: Interview with Chelsey Crisp

Do you plan to do more behind the scenes work or do you prefer being in front of the camera?

I like being able to join the creative team in the preliminary stages. It helps me as an actor understand why certain decisions were made and ultimately how and why my character is guided through her journey.

You are very active in animal assistance in Canada, and you and your husband have a lot of animals on your farm. How rewarding has it been to be involved with the Canadian Animal Assistance Team? And, what is the best part about living on your farm?

I believe more than ever this is a topic worth talking about. While many have been on lockdown they feel as though it is the right time to get a pet. However, once back at work they no longer have the time to properly meet the animals needs. More pets than ever are turning up in shelters. The Canadian Animal Assistance Team along with many other similar charities have been grounded from their regular missions, so dogs and cats are not getting the care they require. Please do your role and spay and neutered your pets so we can help reduce the number of dogs and cats that end up homeless.

NOTE: You can learn more about Amber’s efforts alongside the Canadian Animal Assistance here.

You are obviously busy with Heartland, your farm – you even publish a life & style magazine. When you have downtime, what do you like to do to relax?

When given the time, I love to go for a ride in the mountains. Pack a lunch and spend the day exploring with friends or my husband. Sometimes we pack our fly-fishing rods and find a little stream or pond and just enjoy the day. I’m not someone who can sit down. During the day if I am sitting it is because I am on a horse, or eating a meal (But many times I do that standing as well!)

Speaking of your farm, you have quite the collection of animals. Do you have a favorite animal? (I won’t ask if you have a favorite pet, as that’s like asking a parent if they have a favorite child – wink!) Are there plans to add more animals to your farm?

I never have plans to bring new animals home, it just kind of happens. Sometimes they find their way here, and sometimes I come across them in my travels and decide they want to join the menagerie. Recently we added a couple ducks to our coop, “Butter and Popcorn.” They are the funniest and cutest little creatures. They make quite the racket when they see us and as soon as I fill their kiddie pool they dive in and spend the day casually floating.

Besides the animal assistance, do you have a favorite charity or organization that you support?

As a result of the COVID shutdowns so many charities need our help more than ever. I have always been drawn to the animal charities since that is where my heart lies. On top of my usual animal shelter and wildlife rehabilitation donations I also contributed to zoo’s and riding programs this year. So many are suffering from having their doors closed and the animals still need daily feed and care, which can be very expensive. I encourage anyone in the position to do so to support their local shelters, zoo’s and animal programs.

With the world living with the pandemic, how are you and your family fairing?

Life has really not changed all that much on the farm. I still have my daily routine and animals that need care regardless if stores are not open. My family who lives in the city has experienced a different side to the pandemic and luckily most are still able to work from home, so that keeps them busy and engaged with others. The biggest thing that I believe affects us is loneliness and boredom. As long as you can stay busy and in contact, it helps the mind stay healthy and happy.

Make sure to check out Amber in her UPtv movie Love in Harmony Valley this Sunday and catch new episodes of Heartland this Thursday on UPtv at 8 and 9 PM (ET).

Love In Harmony Valley:

Heartland:

[Photo Credit: UPtv]