Jack Wagner is stealing hearts on The Bold and the Beautiful and When Calls the Heart. The actor made his big return to the soap on Monday, June 16. B&B fans are still buzzing about Nick and Brooke’s reunion. Wagner loves playing the leading man role, which he’s held onto since the ’80s.
TV Romances
Wagner’s B&B onscreen alter ego, Nick, is determined to win Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) back. He also plays Bill on Hallmark’s long-running series, WCTH. In an interview with TV Insider, Wagner admitted that he loves playing both roles. He especially loves that Bill is exploring a romance with Georgie (Melissa Gilbert).
“They brought [Little House on the Prairie] alum Melissa Gilbert on the show last year, and I kissed her at the end of our one episode, and that kind of created a little romance for Bill,” Wagner teased TV Insider. He confirmed Gilbert’s return in Season 13, complimenting the actress.
READ NEXT: Jack Wagner makes his debut on B&B.
Gilbert’s role helped Wagner get his groove back. He feels like the leading man he was in his heyday. “She’s great. I haven’t been playing that all on When Calls the Heart, so for me, it’s like plugging into Jack Wagner from the ’80s or ’90s,” he said. “I realized that’s why I’m having so much fun. It’s like, ‘Wow, I’m dusting off my old charming romance guy. Let’s dust this guy off.'”
Love From a Bygone Era
WCTH is as popular as soaps because it offers an escape from a complicated and stressful world. Wagner noted that this type of entertainment is needed these days. That’s the secret behind the show’s success. Hearties want an hour per week where they can escape to another town and leave their worries behind.
“I just think it’s fantastic because with the temperature in our country for the last almost 10 years, politically, etc., and all of the conflicts around the world, it’s so great that there’s this little pioneer town that people can embrace and find hope and a message of heartwarming joy and romance and community,” Wagner mused.
READ MORE: Jack Wagner compares WCTH fanbase to GH fans.
WCTH brings the same sense of community that soaps do. Hearties talk about the show on social media platforms, and some even have live watch parties. “When people watch the show, they’re touched. That’s how I would sum it up. It touches them, and that’s why they become Hearties,” Wagner added.
