“Amber Marshall grew up with Amy Fleming—and she’s not done telling Heartland’s story yet.

It’s honestly hard to believe, but Amber Marshall has officially spent more than half her life playing Amy Fleming. For 17 seasons, fans have watched her grow up on Heartland, and in many ways, we’ve grown up right alongside her.

With over 250 episodes filmed and Season 17 currently in production among the stunning landscapes of Alberta, Canada, the Bartlett-Fleming ranch still feels like home. But as any long-time viewer knows, the show—and the actress behind it—has had to weather some serious storms recently.

When Real Life Hits the Ranch

Part of the magic of Heartland is how much Amber’s real life overlaps with Amy’s. She lives that ranch life for real, surrounded by horses and big skies. But recently, the parallels have been heartbreaking.

The Heartland family was devastated last September by the passing of Robert Cormier, who played Finn Cotter. Fans were just starting to see Finn as a gentle, safe place for Amy to land after the loss of Ty, which made the tragedy feel even heavier.

Despite the heartbreak, the show is finding a second wind. It’s actually cracking the top-five most-streamed lists in the U.S. right now, with new audiences bingeing it on UP Faith & Family. During a quick break from production, Marshall sat down to chat about the show’s endurance, the loss of a friend, and the question on everyone’s mind: is Amy ready to love again?

More Than Just Castmates

When you ask Marshall about the mood on the Season 17 set, she doesn’t give a generic Hollywood answer. She talks about family.

“We’ve really become a family,” she says. “It’s funny—we play one on TV, but it’s true off-screen too. We’ve been through so much together.”

That history is something you can’t manufacture. It’s why the dinner table scenes feel so genuine. “You can’t fake that kind of connection,” Marshall noted. “We’ve all grown up together.”

That includes the youngest generation, too. Amy’s daughter, Lyndy, is played by twin sisters Ruby and Emmanuella Spencer. Marshall clearly adores them, noting how they bring a chaotic, natural energy to the set that keeps everyone on their toes.

Navigating Loss

The death of Robert Cormier is still fresh for the cast.

“It was devastating,” Marshall admitted. “Moments like that make you realize how unpredictable life can be. Robert was open, honest, and so much fun to work with. Losing him brought all of us even closer.”

Some of those overlaps have even made it into the show.

Season 16 was all about Amy slowly healing from the loss of Ty, and fans were really rooting for Finn to be that next step. Now, the writers and the cast have to navigate a new path forward, honoring that grief while trying to find light in the story.

The Question of Sam Langston

So, where does that leave Amy’s heart? The chemistry with Sam Langston has sparked plenty of theories in the fan forums. Is he just a supportive neighbor, or is there a slow-burn romance happening?

Marshall is playing it coy.

“It’s interesting when someone shows up in your life and offers kindness and support,” she teased. “Sometimes you see them as a neighbor, sometimes maybe something more. Life has a funny way of surprising you.”

Why We Keep Watching

Whether Amy finds romance this season or focuses on the horses, Marshall is just grateful to still be telling this story.

“Some days are long, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she said. “You look around at those hills and horses—it’s beautiful.”

Ultimately, Heartland keeps going because it’s a rarity in modern TV: a show the whole family can agree on. In a world that feels increasingly divided, there is something comforting about returning to the ranch where family, healing, and kindness are the only things that truly matter.