Jessica Amlee's Hilarious "Heartland" Pitch: Triplets, Trash, and RV Trouble!

‘Heartland’ Star Jessica Amlee On The ‘Hilarious’ Scenario She Pitched The Showrunners: ‘I Want To Make People Laugh’

Jessica Amlee, known for her role as the bubbly Mallory Wells on the long-running Canadian family drama "Heartland," recently shared a hilarious scenario she pitched to the show's creators for a potential return of her character. Amlee, who joined the show after the pilot episode, reflected on "Heartland's" remarkable longevity, recalling early anxieties about viewership and the impact of performing for even smaller audiences.

"I remember Chris Potter, who plays Tim on the show, saying ‘Imagine looking into a crowd of even 100,000 people,’” she recalls. “‘Think of how much that is. That is who you are performing for.’ I remember thinking that is a lot of people."

After seven seasons, Amlee decided to leave the show to explore other opportunities, a decision that prompted a period of self-discovery. "When you play a character for so long… you do lose the border of where you are the character and where you are yourself," Amlee explained.

However, she did return for a two-part arc, leaving the door open for future appearances. During the pandemic, Amlee and her on-screen husband, Jake (Jake Church), even brainstormed a comical storyline: Mallory and Jake returning in an RV with triplets—and a whole lot of mess.

"We had this concept where it would be hilarious if Mallory and Jake showed up in the RV with a set of triplets," Amlee says. "We open the door of the trailer and the garbage comes pouring out. The RV just makes it and breaks down. Then, we come pouring out of the trailer."

Amlee was so enthusiastic about the idea that she contacted the show's writers, including Heather Conkie and Mark Haroun. While she initially sought more serious roles after leaving "Heartland," Amlee now embraces the comedic aspects of her character.

Amlee bid a fond farewell in season 7, but returned for a two-part arc three years later. That appearance left newlywed Mallory and her husband, Jake [Jake Church], embarking on a road trip. At the time, Amlee felt the door was left wide open to explore more with the couple. In fact, Church and Amlee even concocted their own dream scenario during COVID. 

“I want to make people laugh," she concludes. "They definitely brought elements of that into this season of me being able to just be funny. I think those are the best scenes I have.” This pitch perfectly encapsulates Amlee's desire to bring lighthearted moments to the show and showcase a different side of Mallory.