Jack Thornton Jr. (born December 24, 1915) is a recurring character in When Calls the Heart. He is portrayed by Hyland Goodrich.
Background[]
Jack Jr. is the only son of Jack and Elizabeth Thornton, conceived shortly after their wedding. He is also the only grandchild of Charlotte Thornton.
Storyline[]
Season 6[]
Baby Jack was born on Christmas Eve 1915, in a hunting cabin in the woods, during a snowstorm. His mother, Elizabeth, went into labor on the way home from picking up his baby carriage. The timing of his birth was a surprise as he arrived a month early but perfectly healthy. Abigail and Rosemary were present at his birth.[1] Bill Avery and Julie Thatcher were selected as his godparents. Lee and Rosemary Coulter were selected as his guardians.
Season 7[]
Season 8[]
Jack was beginning to develop a loving personality as seen when he hugged Elizabeth's editor, Helen Bouchard, when she was feeling down. He enjoyed playing with his toys and got along well with his babysitters, Laura and Robert.
Season 9[]
Jack had grown into a smart, sometimes mischievous little boy who loved to explore his world and interact with the people in it. He discovered a new friend in Elizabeth’s boyfriend, Lucas Bouchard, whom he affectionately called “Buddy.” In the fall of 1919, Jack Jr. participated in Lucas’ marriage proposal.[2]
Season 10[]
Jack continued to grow and learn more and more. Robert continued to babysit him during the day, but after the departure of Laura to teacher’s college, Elizabeth needed someone to watch Jack when she had to go out in the evenings. Allie volunteered eagerly to become Jack’s new babysitter.
His mischievous streak was very apparent when he played a game of hide and seek with Allie. He hid so well, she couldn’t find him, and feared he’d gotten lost. Nathan found him hiding under the living room sofa.[3]
Jack enjoyed playing at the new playground and catching fireflies outside his home. Jack attended a choir performance and the christening ceremony of Goldie Coulter.[4]
Season 11[]
In the spring of 1921, Jack had recently turned 5 and was not yet ready for school, so he began attending daycare with Goldie Coulter and Lily Watson.[5]
When Easter came, Jack joined the other children for an Easter egg hunt. He went to school with Elizabeth one day and got to dye eggs with the schoolchildren. Elizabeth had to explain her different roles as teacher and mother because Jack was worried that she seemed like everyone’s mother.[6]
Jack and Elizabeth visited Jack Sr.’s grave on what would have been his birthday. They discovered Jack’s uncle Tom at the graveyard, who he met for the first time. Tom and Jack played tag and enjoyed spending time together.[7]
He received a pony, who he named Pal, from his godfather, Bill Avery. Bill and Nathan taught Jack how to ride.[8] Jack and Elizabeth hosted Nathan and Allie for dinner at their house one night. During dinner, Jack and Allie discussed spending time together brushing Pal and getting ice cream.[9]
Season 12[]
In 1921, Jack spent the last days of summer vacation practicing baseball with Toby. Jack had his first-ever day of school. He took the occasion very seriously, dressing in a vest and bow tie. Elizabeth allowed him to wear his father's medal to school for the day. When he heard that his friend Lily was too scared to go into school, Jack went back outside and asked her if she felt scared. He offered to let her wear his father's medal. The two friends walked into school together, and Jack's support helped Lily cope with her fears. At school, Elizabeth introduced Jack to the rest of the school. Elizabeth passed out the book assignments for the beginning of the school year. Jack wondered why he couldn't choose his own book, and Elizabeth reminded him that at school, the teacher chooses the books. After school, Jack had a riding lesson with Nathan. He asked Nathan if he knew his father, and Nathan said that he didn't, but wished he had. Jack told Nathan that he thought his father's medal made his mother feel sad. He and Nathan discussed how sometimes people can feel both happy and sad at the same time.[10]
Relationships[]
Family[]
- Elizabeth Thornton (mother)
- Jack Thornton (father, deceased)
- Charlotte Thornton (grandmother)
- Tom Thornton (uncle)
- William Thatcher (grandfather)
- Grace Thatcher (grandmother)
- Viola Thatcher (aunt)
- Sir Lionel (uncle)
- Viola and Sir Lionel's child (cousin)
- Julie Thatcher (aunt, godmother)
- Agatha Thatcher (great-aunt)
- Bill Avery (godfather)
- Lee Coulter (guardian)
- Rosemary Coulter (guardian)
Friends[]
- Laura Campbell (nanny)
- Robert Wolf (babysitter)
- Allie Grant (babysitter)
- Goldie Coulter
- Lily Watson
- Talia
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
- Jack was first portrayed by twins Henry & Hudson Anderson, then by twins Lincoln & Gunnar Taylor, and he is currently portrayed by Hyland Goodrich.
- His first word was "mama.”
- Jack has never met his biological father, as he died before his birth.
- He is the first character in the series to be portrayed by twins.
- At age 5, Jack’s interests include baseball, reading, and learning to ride and care for Pal, his pony who was given to him by Bill Avery.
- He likes the book Treasure Island.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Special, “The Greatest Christmas Blessing”
- ↑ S09E12, “Rock, a Bye, Baby”
- ↑ S10E08, “What Is and What Should Never Be”
- ↑ S10E12, “Starry Nights”
- ↑ S11E03, “Steps Forward”
- ↑ S11E04, “Along Came a Spider”
- ↑ S11E07, “Facing the Music”
- ↑ S11E09, “Truth Be Told”
- ↑ S11E10, “What Goes Around”
- ↑ S12E01, "The Mountie Way"