Natasha Burnett and Viv Leacock, who play a married couple on When Calls the Heart, have formed a special bond with their onscreen children, Vienna and Elias Leacock. Despite not being married in real life, Viv is the father of both Vienna and Elias off camera. Burnett, who plays Minnie Canfield on the show, made an effort to ensure that the child actors felt comfortable on set and approached her with any questions they might have when working together.
While Viv is a protective father on and off-camera, Burnett has taken on the role of the “fun aunt” to the Leacock children. Viv expressed that Burnett has been “adopted” into his family and is considered another member of the Leacock household. Both Vienna and Elias have developed a close relationship with Burnett on set, with Viv noting how Vienna offers him guidance on his performance, making sure he stays on track during filming.
The Canfield family dynamic on When Calls the Heart focuses on familial relationships, with Minnie having a more intricate story arc in season 11. Burnett revealed that Minnie takes on more responsibilities, heading various projects while also dealing with family matters that impact Joseph and his family members. Viv teased that the new season will introduce new characters that will alter the trajectories of existing characters on the show.
In addition to their roles in WCTH, fans can see Burnett and Viv as love interests in their new movie, Legend of the Lost Locket. The film follows Burnett’s character, Amelia, an antique dealer searching for a locket rumored to bring true love to its owner. Along the way, she meets a local sheriff named Marcus, played by Viv, who joins her in her quest. The movie premiered on Hallmark Channel and is now available for streaming on Hallmark Movies Now.
Viv and Burnett’s chemistry on and off-screen has translated well into both WCTH and Legend of the Lost Locket. Viv expressed his admiration for Vienna’s acting skills and highlighted the close relationship they share as onscreen father and daughter. With the show’s focus on family dynamics, both in front of and behind the camera, the connection between the Canfield family members has become a central aspect of the storyline in season 11 of When Calls the Heart.
As the new season progresses, fans can expect to see Minnie and Joseph encounter new family members and deal with long-standing family issues. Viv hinted at the introduction of new characters that will shake up the existing dynamics on the show. While the Canfield family navigates these changes, the strong bond between the cast members, both on and off-screen, continues to play a prominent role in bringing the characters and their relationships to life.
