The When Calls the Heart cast is mourning the loss of a beloved colleague. Neill Fearnley, who directed nearly 50 episodes of the Hallmark Channel drama, died July 13 at age 71.

Hallmark shared the sad news in an Instagram post. 

“Hearties, it’s with profound heavy hearts today that we bid farewell to When Calls the Heart director Neill Fearnley, who passed away on July 13 after a long fight with ALS,” read the update. “Neill was vital to making When Calls the Heart the beloved show it is today, and he will be sorely missed by the entire Heartie community and everyone who had the honor of knowing him.” 

Erin Krakow remembers ‘When Calls the Heart’ director Neill Fearnley 

After Fearnley’s death, tributes poured in from When Calls the Heart cast members, who shared their fond memories of working with the director over the years. (Fearnley had worked on When Calls the Heart since its first season. His last episode for the show was the second episode of season 11, “Tomorrow Never Knows.”) 

“Neill loved directing,” series star Erin Krakow wrote on her Instagram alongside two photos of her and Fearnley dancing on her character Elizabeth’s wedding day in season 5. “He loved being on set. And he loved [When Calls the Heart]. He cared so deeply for all of us. He was always so protective of Elizabeth – and of the girl playing her. In fact his very first text message to me encouraged me not to wear a corset for a stunt scene. There he was, quietly looking out for me.

“Neill helped mold WCTH from the beginning,” Krakow’s post continued. “I’m so thankful for the 11 beautiful seasons we had together. And I’m grateful to be back in Hope Valley where we’ll all continue to feel his presence – in the characters he helped us create, the sets he brought to life, and the crew who carry his memory through their artistry.”

Pascale Hutton says ‘When Calls the Heart’ director was her early champion 

In addition to When Calls the Heart, Fearnley worked on a number of other projects for Hallmark Channel, including multiple installments of the Garage Sale Mysteries series and The Wedding March with Jack Wagner. His other credits include episodes of 21 Jum Street, Highlander, The Outer Limits, and Stargate Atlantis. 

When Calls the Heart’s Pascale Hutton recalled working with Fearnley early in her career. 

“​​Neill was the second director to ever hire me when I was fresh out of theatre school and that was the beginning of a long line of projects we worked on together over the years,” she wrote on Instagram. “He loved directing and being on set, he loved diving into the weeds on meaty two-hander scenes, he was sharp and witty, had a keen ear for grammatical errors, wild eyebrows (recently groomed), and an openness to listening to other interpretations … Neill, When Calls The Heart will miss you. I will miss you.”

Ben Rosenbaum said Fearnley was “taken too soon and sorely missed.” He recalled how the director welcomed him into the When Calls the Heart family in season 1. 

“He was my first director on the show and I will always be grateful for the supportive way he welcomed me into Hope Valley: with a spirit of fun and great care for the work,” Rosenbaum wrote in his Instagram tribute. 

Other When Calls the Heart stars who took to social media to remember Fearnley included Andrea Brooks, who thanked him “for the many years of collaboration and guidance,” and Loretta Walsh, who said it was “a joy” to work with him “for over a decade.” Natasha Burnett, Kayla Wallace, and Kevin McGarry also posted tributes. 

According to his obituary, Fearnley is survived by his wife, five children, four grandchildren, and two brothers.  

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