Amber Marshall, now 38, first stepped into the role of Amy Fleming at age 19 when Heartland premiered in 2007, telling CBC's Ian Hanomansing that she had always imagined herself as the horse‑loving teen.

The CBC drama, based on Lauren Brooke’s novels, is set in the Alberta Foothills and showcases real scenery and horses; it is the longest‑running scripted drama in Canadian television history and begins its 20th season on Sunday.

Marshall lives on her own ranch in Alberta, where she is surrounded by horses, cows and rescued dogs, a lifestyle she adopted during Heartland’s second season.

Fans from England, France, Australia and the United States travel to Alberta, often saying the authentic landscape and wholesome storytelling make them feel a personal connection to the show.

Marshall runs the Foothills Animal Support Society and has publicly opposed opening protected areas of the Rocky Mountains to coal mining, saying she feels a moral obligation to protect the beautiful region.

She believes Heartland endures because it offers rare, intergenerational television that leaves viewers feeling settled and optimistic, a contrast to the anxiety‑driven content that dominates many screens today.