Kevin McGarry Gets Emotional About Being a Dad on ‘When Calls the Heart’

Fans of “When Calls the Heart” melted at a recent cast panel when Kevin McGarry (Nathan) spoke at length about how wonderful it’s been to work with Jaeda Lily Miller, who plays Nathan’s daughter Allie on the show. He said he “holds precious” playing a father on the show and watching Miller grow up before his eyes.

He shared the sweet comments at the Hallmark Christmas Experience in Kansas City, during the event’s third weekend from December 13-15.

Kevin McGarry Said Jaeda Miller Is ‘One of the Highlights of My Career’

“Jaeda was amazing in that scene,” McGarry said, referring to an emotional scene Miller performed during season 11. “That was an amazing thing to see. Because … six years (ago) I came on, Jaeda was with me, she was much younger and to watch her grow into an actress of that caliber has just been an amazing thing to witness on the show.”

When the panel host asked what it’s been like for McGarry to play a father on the show, he couldn’t stop talking about how talented Miller is.

“I’m not a father, so to have that kind of make-believe thing in my life is something that I hold precious on the show,” he said. “Working with Jaeda… Watching her grow up, not only in the show but just as an actress and a human being. There’s a pride, even though I’m not her father, you know what I mean? I watch her go through these things… The preparation she did specifically for that episode was just amazing. Something so moving for me to watch, is just watching her growth as a human and as an actor. I think working with Jaeda… I hold it as one of the highlights of my career.”

He also hinted about Allie’s romance, which is now becoming clearer in the show as season 12 gets underway.

“A romance kind of comes into her (Allie’s) life a little bit, and Nathan is not prepared to deal with that…” McGarry shared. “And the person who comes in is … is a thorn in Nathan’s side as well…”

He Also Teased Big Moments Between Nathan & Elizabeth

McGarry and Erin Krakow (Elizabeth) also teased big moments to come between Nathan and Elizabeth, which fans are already beginning to enjoy now that the series has finished the second episode of season 12.

“We get to see a few different chapters for Elizabeth and Nathan,” Krakow said. “We get to see them lean into this blended family. We get to see them really lean on each other through some really difficult, emotional stories.”

McGarry said about Nathan and Elizabeth’s journey in season 12: “It’s very sweet; it’s dangerous at some points. We get into a very deep, emotional storyline that we really have to lean on each other.”