Hallmark actor Chris McNally answers fan questions

“Hallmark” channel star, Chris McNally, known to fans as “Lucas Bouchard” from “When Calls the Heart,” sits down with us to answer your questions.

Daily Planet: You have a large following on social media. Over 10k “Lucas” fans in a group on Facebook, and they are also on X as Chris McNally Twitter Fan Group. Have you noticed the hashtag trending they have been doing for subjects related to you and your WCTH character?

Chris McNally: Yes, I was surprised to find Lucas Bouchard trending for so long after the first episode of season 11 aired, and that’s all thanks to the Lucas fans out there! I more recently saw additional hashtags – the #vestsoverchests and #teamlargechocolatebunnies gave me a good laugh. Thank you for that! There are some noteworthy photoshop edits out there!

DP: What is the most challenging aspect of the season 11 storyline, and how did your character prepare to overcome it?

CM: I think the most challenging aspect for Lucas over season 11 is him attempting to cultivate an economically healthy future for Hope Valley and all the obstacles that lie in the way.  I would say Lucas isn’t necessarily prepared for this and finds himself doubling down on his goals, and in the end, learning much in the process.

DP: What are favorite things about playing “Lucas” and where would like to see his storyline go in the future.

CM: I love playing Lucas, I love how he’s such a mix of different things. I find him to be bold, adventurous, romantic, an aggressive risk taker, inherent leader, intelligent, youthful and playful, compassionate and empathetic among many more. His complexities and sometimes contradictions excite me. I’m not sure where his storyline will go in season 12, but I hope we get to continue on this path of politics. It’s a new world for Lucas, one where he has much to learn, and one that I think has many roads worth exploring. 

DP: Who had the brilliant idea for your character to speak French? Will there be more of this? 

CM: Salut et merci pour votre question! I could be mistaken but I believe the idea of Lucas speaking French came from Alfonso H. Moreno, who was the showrunner when I first joined When Calls the Heart in season 6. Here’s to hoping we can see more of Lucas’ French in season 12! We’ll see.

DP: You have previously mentioned being surprised when you were informed of some of the aspects of Lucas’s backstory.  Did you have any input at all in altering some of it?

CM: I’ve been surprised several times over the years about aspects of Lucas’ backstory! I think it comes with the territory when a show runs as long as this one has with multiple showrunners and creatives involved. Each person brings their own imagination and perspectives, and things are constantly evolving as the roots of new storylines are conjured up.  I don’t see it negatively, but if something ever strikes me as being off, we’re fortunate on this show to have the opportunity to talk about it.

DP: How surprised were you when you got the script that said Lucas had a questionable past?

CM: To my knowledge the details of Lucas’ “questionable” past have not been discussed on screen. Lucas is a kind, intelligent and ethical man. In my mind, if there were morally ambiguous choices made in his past, these choices were always for a purpose greater than himself. I find Lucas lives in a world consisting of shades of gray, not black and white, and personally I enjoy playing characters that live in the grey. I find it much more human and much more interesting. 

DP: You have played a variety of roles in your career. What are your favorite types of roles to play?

CM: Gray characters! I also enjoy playing characters that exist in past time periods, and characters that have great intelligence. That way, a writer much smarter than me can open up a world of language and imagination that I can then step into and explore.  Thank you, writers!

DP: What is something you would like included in Lucas’ story? 

CM: I’ve always thought it would be intriguing to see Lucas under great pressure, which I’m thrilled we get to experience throughout season 11. Secondly, I’d love to explore Lucas’ relationship with his father, and thirdly let’s find out where Lucas lives! Where does this man sleep??

DP: You got the chance to play a detective in your upcoming movie, “Tip Line Mysteries”, What was your favorite part about playing a detective?

CM: I think my favorite part about playing a detective was that it was a new world for me. Anyone who knows me well will tell you I get lost deep down rabbit holes, surfacing only when the next rabbit hole lures me in. I spent hours upon hours upon hours researching the world of law enforcement, crime and detective work.

DP: Will you live tweet for the Tipline Mysteries premier on Hallmark Mystery? Will there be more of these, like maybe a movie series?

CM: Yes, my plan is to live tweet on June 7th during the premier. As for whether this will become a series or not, we’ll have to wait and see.  As far as I’m aware, Dial 1 for Murder is currently the only movie slated for Tipline Mysteries, but if the network decides to move forward with more, I’d love to be there. 

DP: Watching “Lucas” broken inside and out was really hard for your fans. Portraying him in a coma, wheelchair and now with a cane must have been challenging. You did an amazing job. How did you prepare to make such a drastic transformation of your character?

CM: I have both the props and makeup departments to thank for Lucas’ physical journey! I was told by the bosses that at a certain point in season 11, Lucas would no longer need his cane.  So I divided the episodes leading to that point and mapped what I felt was a steady recovery schedule.  If I did it right, you should notice the physical improvements Lucas has from episode to episode before being physically fit enough to ditch the cane.

DP: You mentioned in your “Heart to Hearties” interview that in prior seasons you had created your own past for Lucas Bouchard. What did that past look like compared to the past revealed in S11? Was it hard to adapt to the new perspective, or was the switch a smooth transition?

CM: I find it’s like adding additional colors to a canvas and interpreting the writing in a way that resonates with me. At the end of the day, I’m the lucky one that gets to portray Lucas Bouchard, so I have the opportunity to cycle what’s on the page through my mind and navigate my way forward in a way that I feel is true. Everyone has their own individual perspective. Sometimes it’s a matter of internally entering a different door that still leads you to the final destination in the script. 

DP: Do you and Julie have any more movies together coming in the near future? 

CM: Julie and I don’t currently have any new projects on the horizon, but if something comes along we’ll be sure to let folks know about it. 

DP: Did you watch any detective shows/movies to prepare for Tipline Mysteries?

CM: I certainly did! Though not so much fictional shows/movies – I focused most of my time on documentaries and interrogation room footage, as well as mining information from friends working within law enforcement and friends who have shadowed law enforcement as research for their own respective tv shows.

DP: I am always interested in their acting preferences . Does you favor to play drama , mystery, romantic, action roles ? If he had a magic wand what would you cast yourself for?

CM: I’ve always been drawn to dramas as I feel that’s where my own natural energy lies, but I would love to challenge myself with exploring comedy, and the five year old in me would jump at the chance at an action movie! 

You can watch Chris on “When Calls the Heart” Sunday’s at 9 PM EST on “Hallmark” and streaming on “Peacock” TV a day after each airing. 

“Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 For Murder” starring Chris McNally and Holland Roden premieres June 7, 2024 on “Hallmark Mysteries”.