One of Canada’s favourite family series, HEARTLAND, returns with Amy (Amber Marshall), Ty (Graham Wardle), and the rest of the cast, Sunday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. on CBC Television. Produced and filmed in Calgary, HEARTLAND won the Alberta Film and Television’s Rosie Award for best dramatic series in 2008, and drew strong ratings in its debut season.

“In the tradition of Sunday nights on CBC, HEARTLAND has captured the hearts of families across Canada,” said Kirstine Layfield, CBC’s executive director of network programming. “After an incredibly successful first season, viewers can look forward to more love and laughter from the Heartland Ranch and some fantastic new music.”

After a year of loss, love and learning, the 18-part second season of HEARTLAND finds the Fleming family preparing to celebrate Amy’s Sweet 16. With pressure mounting at school and a wild mustang in need of care, Amy doesn’t want a lot of attention on her birthday. However, sister Lou (Michelle Morgan) will not allow such an occasion to go unmarked and has plans of her own.

Honouring their mother’s legacy, Amy and Lou have committed to running the Heartland Ranch with the help of Grandpa Jack (Shaun Johnston). But Ty’s sudden departure last season has left a void and the new stable boy Caleb (Kerry James) is still learning the ropes. Amy can’t keep her mind—and heart—off Ty, and estranged father Tim’s (Chris Potter) presence on the ranch causes more tension than truce. Throughout, the Fleming family spirit remains steadfast and the Heartland Ranch continues to be a place where wounds are mended and family values come first.

Country music fans will be thrilled to hear new music from Juno Award-winning George Canyon on HEARTLAND in advance of the release of his new album, Classics. Canyon joins the cast for several episodes as Charlie Wells, father of overly friendly neighbour Mallory.

HEARTLAND is adapted from Lauren Brooke’s international best-selling novels of the same name, a series of 21 books created in the U.K. by Working Partners and published in Canada by Scholastic Canada. Over 6.5 million copies have been sold worldwide.

HEARTLAND stars Amber Marshall (“The Elizabeth Smart Story”) as Amy, Graham Wardle (In the Land of Women) as Ty Borden, Chris Potter (The Pacifier) as Tim, and Michelle Morgan (Diary of the Dead) as Lou. Shaun Johnston (“Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”) also stars as Grandpa Jack, Juno Award-winner and Universal recording artist George Canyon is Charlie Wells, Nathaniel Arcand (“Moose TV”) is Scott Cardinal, Kerry James (On the Other Hand) joins as Caleb, and Cindy Busby (Picture This) stars as Ashley.

Filmed in Alberta, HEARTLAND is a co-production of Dynamo Films of Toronto and Seven24 Films in Calgary, and is written by Heather Conkie, Leila Basen and David Preston. Executive producers are Heather Conkie along with Jordy Randall and Tom Cox of Seven24 Films and Michael Weinberg of Dynamo Films. HEARTLAND is available in HD.

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. With 28 services offered on Radio, Television, the Internet, satellite radio, digital audio, as well as through its record and music distribution service and wireless WAP and SMS messaging services, CBC/Radio-Canada is available how, where, and when Canadians want it.

 

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