"The Real Reason I Left Heartland"
Identity Crisis, Finding Stillness & Rumours of Return
Hello and welcome to another edition of the video newsletter. If you’re new here, this is a unique format where I,
, sit down with for an interview, then share our conversation through a mix of video clips, photos, and writing. If you’re a returning reader, thank you for joining us again.In this edition, Graham and I dive into his acting career, focusing on his time on the television show, Heartland. We talk about what that role meant to him, the personal circumstances that led to his decision to leave the show, and he also takes the opportunity to clear up some of the rumours and misconceptions that have surrounded his departure.
Now, let’s get into it!
Playing Ty Borden in Heartland
Heartland is a Canadian television series set on a fictional ranch in the Alberta foothills and follows the Fleming-Bartlett family as they care for horses, face challenges together, and celebrate the bonds of family and community. Graham played Ty Borden, who first arrived at the Heartland ranch as part of his parole. Over time, Ty’s story became one of transformation - discovering real friendships, love, a father figure, and ultimately finding his place in the world after a difficult start in life.
Reflecting on that role, Graham shared:
“It was a beautiful journey to play a character that goes through that transformation and learns his lessons and goes through his challenges and faces his demons as well.”
When I asked him about the early days of Heartland, Graham recalled:
“I auditioned for the part of Ty back in 2008, and getting the job shocked me - I had never booked a TV pilot before. A pilot is essentially a test episode and while we had a lot of fun filming it, experienced actors warned me not to get my hopes up because it might never go further. But the show was picked up, and I ended up staying for 14 seasons. I’m incredibly grateful for the impact Heartland had on my life. It gave me a platform, connected me with a worldwide audience in over 100 countries, and created lasting relationships with the amazing people I worked alongside. I’ll always carry deep respect and gratitude for that chapter of my life.”
I was interested to know about some of Graham’s favourite moments from filming Heartland.
“Some of my favourite moments on Heartland actually happened in between filming, while we were waiting for the cameras to be set up. There’s a lot of downtime on set, and often we’d just be sitting together under the hot sun. Shaun Johnston would pull out his guitar, and sometimes Amber Marshall would join in singing. We’d listen, talk, read, or just be together in those quiet moments.”
Graham noted that some of his favourite memories weren’t just the scenes themselves, but the creative process in between. He recalled riding in the shuttle van with Shaun, where they would dive into the script together - asking questions like “What do you think this means?” or “I’m struggling with this part, how do you see it?” They would workshop the dialogue, searching for that spark that made a moment come alive. Graham said he’s deeply grateful to have worked alongside actors who shared his commitment to authenticity, and that those were the moments that stayed with him most.
In the video below, Graham reflects further on the effort that went into making their characters feel genuine, even within the framework of a scripted television show.
A Decision from the Heart
As our conversation moved toward Graham’s decision to leave Heartland in Season 14, he explained that the choice was deeply personal. It wasn’t about stepping away from the show itself, but about honouring his own well-being and following a new calling. As he put it:
“I think it’s so important to tell this story because it really was for my own mental health. I felt called to share my journey, to speak about the sacredness of life, and to break free from the roles and identities we cling to that mask wounds needing our care and attention.”
Graham shared that stepping into a character can be healthy if you’re grounded in self-love and self-respect; you can move into a role and then return to yourself. But for him, the role of Ty became something different. Having experienced trauma in his past, he hadn’t yet learned to love or respect himself, and acting became a way to escape the parts of his life he didn’t want to face.
As Ty’s popularity grew, Graham began to identify more with the character than with himself. Fans would ask for a photo with ‘Ty,’ and instead of separating his identity from the role, he leaned into the external validation that came with it. Being recognized made him feel valued and loved, things he hadn’t yet given himself. Over time, though, that dynamic became unhealthy, as the character began to substitute for Graham’s own healing, growth, and self-reflection.
In the video below, Graham explains that the decision to leave Heartland was a difficult one and it didn’t happen overnight - he had thoughts about leaving as early as Season 10. By Season 13, he was sure of his decision, and plans were made for Ty’s exit. Together with the writers, it was decided that the only way to do Ty justice was for the character to die a tragic, yet heroic death.
For fans who had followed Ty’s journey from troubled teenager to devoted husband and father, his death in Season 14 was heartbreaking. Yet it became a powerful turning point for the series, allowing his wife Amy to grow through loss while preserving Ty’s legacy as a man who always put his family first. While some fans wished for a different ending, Graham reflects that leaving Ty alive but absent would have felt less true to the character.
Graham reflects on Ty’s death scene and how it was actually his stunt double and how in Season 14 the only part he would play was that of a ghost. To hear his full reflections and reasoning, watch below.
Finding Stillness
After Graham opened up about how playing Ty became a way to escape parts of himself he hadn’t yet healed, I wanted to explore that further. Many people pour so much of themselves into their work that it can become a substitute for facing their own struggles, or even a way of losing touch with who they truly are. I asked him,
What advice would you give to people who find themselves in a similar place, pouring so much of themselves into a career that it becomes an escape, or even a way of losing part of who they are? Knowing what you know now, how would you encourage them to navigate that?
In response to the above question, Graham noted that one of the most important lessons he’s learned is developing a relationship with stillness. He explained that many struggles can be eased by slowing down, being present, and honestly facing what’s happening within. Looking back, he admitted he could feel things beneath the surface but didn’t yet have the courage to confront them.
For those in a similar place, Graham encouraged sitting with your thoughts - through stillness, prayer, or reflection - and asking meaningful questions like “Is this really who I am? What can I learn from this?” rather than spiralling into unhelpful ones like “Why does this always happen to me?”
“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
—Blaise Pascal
Ways to Build a Relationship with Stillness
Prayer – Create space to connect spiritually and centre yourself. Say your prayer and then take the time to listen to the stillness.
Meditation – The simple act of focusing on your breath and being present with what is. Relaxing and releasing as thoughts and emotions emerge. Even a few minutes a day can help quiet the mind and bring awareness inward.
Mindful Walks – Step outside without headphones or distractions, simply noticing the sights and sounds around you.
Time with Animals – Walking your dog, riding your horse, or simply sitting quietly with a pet can ground you in the present moment.
Journaling – Write down what’s on your mind, or reflect through questions like, “What am I feeling right now?” or “What can I learn from this?”.
As Graham put it, the simplest but most powerful advice is to be present with yourself, step into stillness, and allow clarity to emerge.
How do you bring moments of stillness into your daily life? If you feel inspired, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Separating Fact from Fiction
Since leaving Heartland, rumours have continued to circulate about Ty, Graham’s departure, and other aspects of his personal life. Graham wanted to address these directly and set the record straight. In the video below, he also explains why these rumours keep resurfacing year after year and reflects on how he has learned to navigate the ongoing attention and speculation.
After hearing about Graham’s journey with Heartland and how he’s grown since leaving, I asked if he still wants to act and what that might look like now. He shared:
“I definitely plan to return to filmmaking, bringing lessons I’ve learned about serving the story and speaking truth. I want to create projects that help people reconnect with themselves, even if it’s sometimes challenging, while also celebrating the beauty and joy of life. The best stories, to me, balance reflection and healing with laughter, memorable moments, and the simple wonders of life.”
It was inspiring to hear his perspective, and there was so much more we covered in our conversation. If you want to dive deeper, you can watch the full video below, where Graham discusses how he related to Ty, the role of death in film, the power of storytelling, and more. Graham and I actually had a hard time wrapping up this conversation, so we decided we need to do a part 2 on the topic of film. In the next part, we’ll be exploring the future of film, the involvement of AI, and Graham even shares his dream movie project. Stay tuned in the coming weeks!
A Closing Message from Graham
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