Elizabeth From Hallmark's When Calls The Heart Is A Beauty In Real Life
Hallmark star Erin Krakow, famous for playing Elizabeth Thornton on the TV series "When Calls the Heart," is a beauty both on screen and off screen. But in real life, she looks different from her character, the sweet teacher who works at the Jack Thornton School.
Charmingly, the historic story was one of many books that were adapted into Hallmark movies and TV shows, so the sweet storyline has a literary origin. Krakow began playing the role of Elizabeth in 2014, and has continued inhabiting that gentle spirit that her character is famous for. On screen, Krakow fits the bill perfectly; the show span from 1911 to 1920 in the western Canadian frontier, and her character's aesthetic fits this historic period with her prairie-style dresses and elegant appearance. In real life, Krakow is just as gorgeous, but in a different way.
Krakow often lets her natural curls shine in her personal life, just as she did in a selfie she shared to Instagram in January 2026. Fans will recall, of course, that Elizabeth has straight hair on "When Calls the Heart," so Krakow's lively curls are a big departure from her Hallmark performances. Plus, Krakow nixed the makeup. While there are many celebs who rarely (if ever) shared a glimpse of their makeup-free faces, Krakow is quite the opposite. While her character, Elizabeth, wears makeup on screen, the actor often steps out with no makeup and shares those fresh selfies with the world.
When Calls the Heart introduced Erin Krakow to her real-life husband and her wedding aesthetic was a nod to the Hallmark show
Hallmark's "When Calls the Heart" changed Erin Krakow's life in more ways than one. Krakow met her husband, Ben Rosenbaum, on set, where he played Mike Hickam. Both actors began filming on "When Calls the Heart" in 2014 with the very first season, giving them lots of time to get to know each other, though they have different love interests on screen. They kept their relationship private for years, finally confirming it publicly in February 2024 after adopting a dog, Willoughby. They married in June 2025 and welcomed a daughter in April 2026.
While "When Calls the Heart" led Krakow to her husband, the show also influenced Krakow's off-screen style. When Krakow shared her wedding photos with Rosenbaum, she looked like a dream, with some of that 1920s aesthetic from the Hallmark show influencing her bridal look. She wore a simple ivory gown with cap sleeves and a traditional Mantilla veil. Clearly, the show's costuming has rubbed off on her in the most charming way; she's really found her era. And who could blame her? Everything about the show is compelling. And for those who can't get enough, there are several books to add to your TBR list if you love Hallmark's "When Calls the Heart."