Maybe Heartland hasn't made it onto your television radar yet — in between those shows about rich kids overdosing or overly tanned housewives — but while it may not have the flash of a big city, it does bring a lot of heart (pun completely intended) and don't you think TV could use a little more of it?

Graham Wardle, the show's bad-boy-turned-good Ty Borden, thinks so.

“My opinion is that Gossip Girl and those shows are entertaining because most people aren't like that,” he explained. “(Heartland's) drama is extremely relatable and people can connect easily.”

“It's a family show and beautiful to watch. It's about real people, real situations.”

The show is set in the town of Hudson, Alberta, among the Rocky Mountains. Heartland is actually a family ranch that rescues and rehabilitates horses. The show's first season saw the ranch in jeopardy after a tragedy and then 15-year-old Amy, played by Amber Marshall, must use her skills as a horse healer to keep the ranch alive. Working alongside her are her grandpa Jack (Shaun Johnston) and her sister who returns from the city.

Meanwhile, they encounter Ty, who like every bad boy has a troubled past. He came to Heartland as part of his probation. The second season and third season saw Ty's relationship with Amy grow until they finally end up together.

Even with Ty's gruff exterior, Wardle could find some similarities in his rough-around-theedges demeanor.

“There are a few times when Ty's done something and I remember when I felt like that,” he said. “(We have) similar pasts — a bit aggressive, quick to anger, too quick to judge.”

The show just completed its third season and they start filming the fourth immediately this summer, showing no signs of slowing down. The cast also recently finished up a Heartland Christmas movie due out at the end of this year, said Wardle.

The show's a unique change to a lot of the current programming offered — featuring a distinctly Canadian feel, with the focus on nature, animals and family, but without being too saccharine.

As for Wardle, he's been auditioning for other roles — his ideal role would be something in an action movie, he said. He'll also be working on some side projects of his own, both involving writing and filmmaking. His focus is on awareness — covering a variety of topics like relationships to the environment.

However, having the opportunity to be on a show like Heartland has been a highlight.

“I'm proud to be a part of something that is new, never seen on TV,” he said.

For more information on Heartland, visit the site at http://www.cbc.ca/heartland/, and to learn more about Graham Wardle, check out http://grahamwardle. net/. Seasons one and two of the show are now on DVD.