Heartland returns for Season 19 - Here's what fans should know

Heartland fans, rejoice!  The longstanding CBC drama will return for its 19th season on Sunday, October 5, 2025.  The new season will consist of 10 hour-long episodes.  Here is what to expect as we follow the adventures of our favourite ranch family as it faces heartbreak, joy and challenges, against the backdrop of the magnificent foothills of the Rockies.

For the most part, the main cast remains intact.  Amber Marshall (Amy Fleming), Michelle Morgan (Lou Fleming), Shaun Johnston (Jack Bartlett) will all be returning, as well as twins Ruby and Emmanuella (Lyndy Borden), Spencer Lord (Nathan Pryce), Baye McPherson (Katie Fleming-Morris), Gabriel Hogan (Peter Morris ) and Jessica Steen (Lisa Stillman).  Rounding out the returning cast will be Kerry James (Caleb Odell), Aidan Moreno (Rick Adderly), Krista Bridges as Nathan's sister Gracie and  Cindy Busby (Ashley).  As an added bonus, Alicia Newton will appear as Georgie in the final episode of the season.

Saylor McPherson, the real-life sister of Baye McPherson (Katie), was seen on the set of Heartland.  It is thought that Saylor will portray Katie's new friend, River.

The big question mark so far is Chris Potter, who plays Tim Fleming.  Chris has not been confirmed for Season 19, apparently due to health issues.

Below are some happening in Season 19.

Stop here if you prefer not to read the spoilers.

* In Episode 1, entitled "Risk Everything," a raging wildfire threatens the ranch, and the Bartlett-Fleming family is forced to evacuate.  Amy risks everything to save a pregnant mare that is trapped in the fire.

* In Episode 2, entitled "Two Can Keep a Secret," Amy must deal with the consequences when Lyndy's first 4-H show goes wrong.  Katie does something unexpected.

In Season 19, Amy is forced to defend her reputation as a horse trainer.  She must fight to protect her good name.

Amber Marshall as Amy

* Jack will be dealing with a troublesome new ranch hand.  His patience will be tested.

* Lou tries to focus on her family, but when the ranch is threatened, she must make some difficult choices.

For almost two decades, Heartland has been a Sunday night comfort zone for Canadians.  With all that's going on in the world right now, we need escape to that ranch in Alberta.  Heartland is soothing.

NOTE TO AMERICAN VIEWERS

Season 17 of Heartland began officially streaming on Netflix in the United States on September 15, 2025.

SOURCES: TV Show Pilot (tvshowpilot.com), Heartland Season 19: "Everything We Know So Far," Kristiana Juste, September 22, 2025; Wikipedia

- Joanne

Y&R Report (September 20, 2025) The Latest on The Young and the Restless

Hey Y&R fans, every second Saturday TV Banter discusses the latest happenings and provides commentary on your favourite daytime drama. Note to U.S. readers - SPOILER ALERT: Here in Canada, I watch the show on Global TV, which is one episode ahead of CBS.  I will inevitably refer to incidents you haven't seen yet.  Read at your own risk.  If you are the curious type, though, you may prefer to discover some things in advance.

Hi fans,

I hope you had a good summer.  I'm back and roaring to go.  There's a lot to discus about what has happened on Y&R.  First and foremost, I want to comment on Aristotle Dumas turning out to be Caine Ashby.  I like Billy Flynn, but he will never convince me that he is Cane or that Cane could have changed that much.  Being Australian was so much a part of Cane,  and Billy F. does not have an Aussie accent.  Also, Cane was never a con man like his father, Colin.  His personality could not have changed that much.  

There was speculation that Daniel Goddard, the original Cane Ashby, was planning to return to Y&R.  However, he joined the cast of General Hospital instead.  He now portrays Professor Henry Dalton on GH.  When Goddard became unavailable, they should have dropped the idea of Caine's return.  Billy Flynn could have played an entirely new role and he still could have fallen for Lily.

Hey Josh Griffith and fellow Y&R writers, it's time to clarify what's going on with Mariah!  This has been dragging on far too long.  Mariah admitted to Tessa that she tried to kill a man, which we viewed in flashbacks.  Her actions are somehow linked to her past in Ian Ward's cult.  Now we may finally get some answers because Daniel and Tessa are going to investigate what happened to Mariah while she is away, getting mental health treatment at a clinic in Boston.  The whole storyline is confusing and poorly written.  It's convoluted.  We still don't know what happened to the dastardly Ian Ward.  Ward opened his eyes in an ambulance, even though he was thought to be dead.  so he must be alive somewhere. Why is it taking so long to find out?  I suspect that Daniel and Tessa will encounter Ward during the course of their investigation.

Michael Baldwin just can't end his devotion to Victor, despite the callous way Victor has treated him.  I really don't think Michael would be foolish enough to risk his marriage to Lauren for Victor's sake.  Yet, he intends to hide his involvement with Victor and Cane from his wife.  However, Michael won't be able to fool Lauren for long.  She is already extremely suspicious and she will stand stand firm against any alliance with Victor.

Sadly, Michael is eager to get back into The Big Man's good graces.  It's pathetic to see such a savvy lawyer grovel at Victor's feet.  This is happening only for a storyline.  Michael's much too smart to be Victor's sycophant, but there has to be conflict.  Michael and Lauren will be celebrating their 20th anniversary.  I hope they stay together.

Right now, it seems that Cane and Victor may join forces against Jack and Jabot.  Billy Boy has gone through a crisis, but it appears that he is going to support Jack. and Kyle and Diane.  As usual, it will be the Abbotts versus the Newmans.  By the way, I think Jason Thompson has done a fine acting job portraying the troubled Billy Abbott lately.  

It should be noted that Y&R is adding a flurry of new cast members this fall. I have described them in the "Cast News." section below.

CAST NEWS

Tamara Braun to play new character on Y&R

Soap star Tamara Braun, 54, is joining the cast of The Young and the Restless  Her Y&R debut will occur this fall.  She will portray a character named Sienna Bacall, who is described as woman having "personal connections to several characters" in Genoa City."   There has been online speculation that she could be Sharon's romantic rival for the affections of Nick Newman.  There's also speculation that she is the daughter of the woman from whom Cane's late father, Colin, swindled a fortune.  She may be seeking revenge on Cane.

Born in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, Tamara is a two-time Daytime Emmy winner for her roles on General Hospital and Days of our Lives .  She portrayed Cathy Corinthos on GH from 2001 to 2005.  She returned to GH from 2017 to 2019 in the role of Dr. Kim Nero.  She portrayed Ava Vitali on DOOL on and off between 2008 and 2025.  From 2008 to 2009, she played Reese Williams on All My Children.

In 2009, Tamara won an Emmy for Outstanding Support Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Ava Vitali on Days of our Lives.  In 2020, she won in the same category for her role as Dr. Kim Nero on General Hospital. 

Matt Cohen to play detective on Y&R

Matt Cohen, known for his portrayal of Griffin Munro on General Hospital, is heading for The Young and the Restless.  Deadline has confirmed that Cohen will play a detective investigating a major case.  With the recent death of Chance, Y&R could sure use a detective.

Cohen appeared on General Hospital from 2014 to 2022.  He also portrayed a young John Winchester on Supernational.  He will make his Y&R debut on October 16th on CBS and October 15th on Global.

Roger Howarth to play mysterious new role on Y&R

After appearing on General Hospital from 2012 to to 2023, Roger Howarth, 56, will be returning to CBS for a mysterious new role on Y&R.  The details surrounding Howarth's new character have not yet been publicly revealed.  

Howarth left GH, when he was written off the ABC show.  His character, Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt, was fatally shot.  Previous to his role on GH, Howarth played Todd Manning on One Life to Live and Paul Ryan on  As the World Turns.

Noah Newman is returning for a big L.A. storyline

Lucas Adams

Noah Newman is returning to the screen later this fall.  However, Rory Gibson will not be playing Noah this time around.  Gibson is currently portraying Michael Corinthos on General Hospital.  Lucas Adams has been cast in the role of Nick and Sharon's son.  Adams, who has portrayed Dr. Tripp Dalton on Days of Our Lives, will be reunited on Y&R with Tamara Braun, who played Ava Vitali, his on-screen mother on Days.  Adams joined the cast of Days in 2017, appearing on and off on the soap until 2024.  He earned two Daytime Emmy nominations in the category of Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series.

How will the return of Noah affect Y&R's storyline?  It is uncertain as to whether Noah's girlfriend, Allie Nguyen will return with him. Remember that Allie is the granddaughter of Jack Abbott.  Her return will probably depend on the storyline.  The writers could just decide to have them break up to free Noah for involvement with other women.  Since Noah has a past with Audra, it is possible that Audra could go after him again.  At one time, Noah had feelings for Tessa Porter, so maybe Daniel Romalotti will have some competition for Tessa's heart.

Here's what we do know.  Head writer Griffith spoke to TV Insider about autumn's storylines.  He revealed that Nick and Sharon are going to be involved in a major L.A. noir storyline. as they try to save their son, Noah, from a dangerous situation. We also know that Noah is opening a club in Los Angeles and that his parents are planning to visit him there.

Y&R REPORT READERS' POLL

Haley Erin (Claire)

Michael Mealor (Kyle)

It looks as if Kyle Abbott and Claire Newman are definitely finished as a couple, at least for the time being.  As a matter of fact, there is speculation that Claire will be torn between Holden and Detective Burrow, played by Matt Cohen.  I am certain that she will accept Holden's invitation to go to Los Angeles.  We will finally learn what dirty deed Audra and Holden were up to in LA.  

Are you pleased that Claire seems to be moving on?  What do you think of Kyle's behaviour?  Do you like Claire and Kyle as a couple and would you prefer them to stay together?  What do you think, fans.  Respond to the poll below and let me know.

Do you think Claire should break up with Kyle?

Yes. Kyle is not to be trusted. He'll just continue to disappoint her.

No. They make a good couple. Kyle really cares about her.

I don't know.

Other

 

pollcode.com free polls

NOTE TO READERS

I really need your feedback.  If you have any comments on Y&R, please email them to me with "Viewer Forum" in the subject line. I will be happy to publish your comments and reply to them  You do not have to use your real name.  I really need your input.  I really need to hear your opinion.  I want to know if you agree or disagree with me. 

My email address:  jmadden16@yahoo.ca 

That's all for now.  Don't forget that the nest edition of Y&R Report will appear in this space on Saturday, October 4, 2015.

Take care,

Joanne

Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber are grandparents

Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber

“Separate from anything as an actor, you hopefully take pride in who people are individually away from any camera just as people, as citizens.  And both our boys have done well and hopefully made smart choices and are doing well daily… we have a lot of reasons to be proud of both of them."

- Mark Harmon, People magazine, November 17, 2023

Mark Harmon celebrated his 74th birthday on September 2, 2025.  Mark and his wife, Pam Dawber, had something extra to celebrate this year.  The couple, married since 1987, became first-time grandparents this spring.  On July 4, 2025, their daughter-in-law, Courtney Prather, revealed on Instagram that she and her husband, Sean Thomas Harmon, had welcomed a son, Cooper Knox Harmon, born on May 22, 2025.  (Mark's mother, was actress, model and fashion designer Elyse Knox (1917-2012) and his father, Tom Harmon (1919-1990) was a college football star, Heisman Trophy winner and sportscaster).

In her post, Courtney reflected on the first month with her newborn.  Her caption read "1 month with you, Cooper Knox Harmon 5-22-25."

Sean Harmon, born April 25, 1988 in Burbank, California.  He is an actor, producer and stunt coordinator.  Sean is the elder of Mark and Pam's two sons.  He played the younger version of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, his father character,  on NCIS.  He is also known for Major Crimes (2012) and NCIS: Los Angeles (2009).

Sean Harmon and Courtney Prather

Sean married longtime girlfriend Courtney Prather, in November of 2022,  The official wedding ceremony took place on Nosara Beach in Costa Rica.  The lavish nuptials lasted for three days, from November 9-13, 2022.  The bride and groom gathered with family at the tropical wedding venue. The celebration included yoga, surfing and family time.  There was also a romantic side trip to Maldives.

According to an account of the ceremony on Married Celeb, "Mark walked Prather down the aisle in this intimate tropical wedding and blessed her alongside his son.  After the wedding, "all the guests can be seen dancing and enjoying."  On the last day, "Sean and Courtney cut the wedding cake together."

Courtney Prather is a health and wellness advocate.  She  is also a a psychologist and consultant, with a PhD in Clinical Health Psychology from the University of North Texas.  There are conflicting reports as to when she met Sean Harmon/  Some sources, including their wedding website, say the couple met at an art gallery in Santa Monica, California in December of 2016.  However, they were reportedly seen together as early as October 2012 at Mark Harmon's Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony.  

Sean proposed to Courtney in July of 2021, while they were visiting the E bar L Ranch in Montana, a retreat owned by Sean's father.  At the end of a day full of horseback riding and cycling, Sean presented Courtney with a ring and a bottle of wine.  Engagement photos were taken in a field surrounded by horses.

Mark and Pam's other son is Ty Christian Harmon. Ty, a screen writer, was born on June 25, 1992.  Below is an earlier photo of Mark and Pam and their two sons.  Ty is on the far left.

When Sean and Ty were growing up, Mark and Pam tried to keep their family life with their kids private.  The boys were their top priority and the reason why Mark took on such a long role on NCIS.  In 2023, he told People magazine  that "the decision to do NCIS was "because I was trying to stay home more with a young family.  "It was important to be able to make pancakes on Saturday morning," he said.

SOURCES:  Zola (www.zola.com), Courtney and Sean's Wedding Website; People; "Mark Harmon's 2 Children: All About Sean and Ty," by Emy La Croix, November 17, 2023; Married Celeb {marriedceleb.com), Sean Harmon biography, by Bimal, July 19, 2023; Married Celeb {marriedceleb.com), "Mark Harmon's son Sean Harmon Tied the Knot," by Prajwol, Jul 20, 2023, Wikipedia

- Joanne

Emily in Paris returns for Season Five: - Here's what to expect

On September 16, 2024, Netflix announced that Emily in Paris, starring Lily Collins will return for a fifth season.  There will be another chapter in the saga of an American from Chicago trying to adjust to  the French language and culture.  

Here's what to expect in Season 5:

* Season 5 of Emily in Paris will premiere on December 18th, 2025.  There will be 10 episodes.  The fourth season brought the show's characters to Rome.  Meanwhile, the teaser for the fifth season shows Emily saying 'ciao" to Venice.

* Season 5 will find the fashionable marketing executive, Emily Cooper, stepping into a new role as head of her company's satellite office in Rome.  On August 20, 2025, Netflix released several photos of Collins as Emily in Italy.  In one photo, Emily sits on a boat while looking out at the water.  She wears a stylish white-and-black polka-dot two piece outfit and large white sunglasses.  In another image, she holds the reins of a horse beside her new Italian love interest, Marcello, as he dons a helmet and stands next to his own horse.

*According to OK Magazine, all the characters, except Camile Razat, who played Camille, will be returning.  The cast of characters for Season 5 includes Emily Cooper (Lily Collins), Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini), Mindy (Ashley Park), Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), Julien (Samuel Arnold), Luc (Bruno Gouery), Sylvie Grateau (Philippine Leyoy-Beaulieu, Antoine (Wiliam Abadie), Alfie (Lucien Laviscount), Genevieve (Talia Besson), Nico (Paul Forman), Laurent Grateau (Arnaud Binard), Princess Jane (Minnie Driver), Jake (Bryan Greenberg) and Yvette (Michèle Laroque).

 *  Although the new season begins in Italy, don't expect Emily to remain there for the foreseeable future.  In a 2024 interview with Deadline, Darren Star, the show's creator, stated that "Emily didn't change her Instagram handle to Emily in Rome."

"She is working in Rome sometimes," stressed Star.  Sylvie's company (Agence Grateau), has an office in Rome.  I  don't necessarily think that it means a permanent - in my mind, it's definitely not a permanent - move to Rome.  We're not leaving Paris."

In 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron shared with Variety that he wasn't pleased about the prospect of the show switching locations from Paris to the Eternal City.  A permanent switch now seems highly unlikely.  Of the filming in Rome, Darren Star told TVLine that "I feel like it just expands the universe of the show.  Just at the point that Emily has gotten comfortable in Paris, she's sort of thrown into another country where she's going to experience some cultural differences.  And also, I think there's cultural differences to explore - and we do - between French and Italians.  It's a whole new world, but it doesn't mean that we're leaving Paris."

"This season is a tale of two cities, Rome and Paris," Star told Tudum recently.  "Straddling both, Emily takes love and life to the next level."

* The official synopsis for Season 5 of Emily in Paris reads as follows: 

Now the head of Agence Grateau in Rome, Emily faces professional and romantic challenges as she adapts to life in a new city.  Just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setback.  Seeking stability, Emily leans into her French lifestyle, until a big secret threatens one of her closest relationships.  Tackling conflict with honesty, Emily emerges with deeper connections, renewed clarity, and a readiness to embrace new possibilities.

- Joanne

Was Stephen Colbert's show cancelled because of Trump?

On Thursday, July 17, 2025, CBS announced that The Late Show with host Stephen Colbert would end its run in May of 2026.  The Late Show has been a staple of late night television since 1993.  Colbert has hosted the show since 2015.  

Colbert will not be replaced.  His show will be completely departing the network.  CBS stated that the cancellation was "purely a financial decision" not related to Colbert's performance or to the presentation of the show.

Since Colbert is one of Donald Trump's fiercest critics, many believe that the cancellation of his show was politically motivated.  In fact, just three days before the cancellation, Colbert denounced CBS for paying $16 million to Trump to settle a law suit over edits to a 60 Minutes interview with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.  He called the settlement "a big fat bribe."

Democrats and progressives have been quick to condemn CBS's decision.  Adam Schiff (D-California), who had just completed a taping with Colbert, declared that America  "deserves better."  He wrote the following on the site formerly known as Twitter:  "If Paramount and CBS ended the late show for political reasons, the public deserves to know."  Senator Bernie Sanders alleged that Colbert's dismissal was not a coincidence.  He said, "CBS's billionaire owners pay Trump $16 million to settle a bogus lawsuit while trying to sell the network to Skydance.  Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late night host, slams the deal.  Days later, he's fired.  Do I think this is a coincidence?  NO."

Paramount is in the midst of a proposed merger with Skydance.  The merger requires approval from Donald Trump, a longtime target of Stephen Colbert.  Colbert is a thorn in Trump's side.  How better to please Trump than to get rid of Colbert.

However, former MSNBC host Keith Olberrann, has disputed claims that the dismissal of Colbert's show was politically motivated.  "If that were the case," he wrote, "they wouldn't be keeping him on until next May."

Not surprisingly, Donald Trump was absolutely delighted by the cancellation of The Late Show.  In a social media post, he expressed his belief that Colbert had indeed been fired.  He also anticipated that Jimmy Kimmel would be next to get the axe.  "His talent was even less than his ratings," he said of Colbert.  "I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next," Trump wrote gleefully.

It's hard to believe that the cancellation of Colbert's show had nothing to do with the comedian's criticism of Donald Trump.  One thing is for certain, the demise of The Late Show signals the further decline of late night talk television.  Viewer habits have changed.  Gone are the days when Johnny Carson, Jay Leno and David Letterman ruled TV's after hours.  

- Joanne

What's going on with Marge Simpson? Did she really die?

Fans are talking about The Simpsons again.  It's all because of Marge, the cartoon family's raspy-voiced, blue-haired matriarch.  Marge's apparent demise has got tongues wagging.  Social media is abuzz with comments such as #RIPMarge and #SimpsonsShock.  It seems that the "death" of the beloved animated character is causing quite a flap, and sparking a flurry of online discussion. Outraged fans have slammed the "stupid decision."  So, what's really going on?  

Well, Simpsons fans can relax.  Marge is not really going anywhere.  Neither is The Simpsons.  Fox, which has broadcast the popular animated series since its premiere in 1989, announced in April that it had renewed the show until its 40th season in 2029, which ensures that the long-running series will surpass 800 episodes.

There is no indication that any of the voice actors, including Julie Kavner, who provides Marge Simpson's gravelly voice, is going anywhere either. (Prior to voicing Marge, Julie portrayed Brenda Morgenstern, Rhoda's younger sister on the 1970s sitcom Rhoda).

Season 36 finale of The Simpsons, which aired on Fox on May 18, 2025, has caused quite a stir. The episode continues to air on Disney+.   SPOILER ALERT if you haven't watched it yet, but intend to do so.  I am about to reveal the details.  The episode, entitled "Estranger Things," provides a glimpse of of the Simpson family 35 years into the future.  We never learn the circumstances of Marge's death.  We never learn how or when she passed away.  However, we do know that her life was cut short.  "Marge passed before Homer, if you can believe it," sings Canadian musician Sarah McLachlan, as a montage of grieving family and friends is shown before a headstone that reads, "Beloved wife, mother and pork-chop seasoner."  Marge later appears in a pre-recorded message, and in heaven.

Just as Marge had feared, her two older children, Bart and Lisa, have drifted apart since they stopped watching their favourite kids show, The Itchy and Scratchy Show, together.  They bonded over the show, which they have outgrown.  As adults, their lives have gone in different directions.  Lisa, it turns out, has become the commissioner of the NBA.  She is supporting her widowed father who lives in an unlicenced retirement home, run by her deadbeat brother in one of his shady money making schemes.  

After some sparring over Homer's living arrangements, a senior's protection agency sends the widower off on a bus to Florida, whereupon Lisa and Bart embark on a mission to get him back,  In the process, the siblings find a video that Marge recorded before her death, encouraging her eldest children to stick together.  

The family eventually reunites at their Springfield home at 742 Evergreen Terrace, albeit without talkative younger sister Maggie, who is working as a farm equipment auctioneer.  Lisa and Bart watch their beloved Itchy and Scratchy Show again, as Marge looks down on them from heavenly clouds, and expresses her happiness that her children are close again.  The Beatles' drummer Ringo Star appears from behind her, reminding her that they should not be late for the heavenly shrimp buffet.  Then comes another stunning revelation.  Marge kisses Ringo, proclaiming that "I'm so glad that we're allowed to marry different people in heaven."

There has been so much response to the supposed death of Marge Simpson that the show's executive producer, Matt Selman, felt compelled to issue a statement in which he claimed that reports of Marge's death are greatly exaggerated.  In an interview published on June 26, Selman told Variety that Marge's death cannot be considered canon.  "There is no canon.  The Simpsons doesn't even have canon!" he declared.  He then cited the numerous contradictory flash-forwards that have occurred on the show over the years.  "Obviously, since The Simpsons future episodes are all speculative fantasies, they're all different every time.  Marge will probably never be dead ever again.  The only place Marge is dead is in one future episode aired six weeks ago," Selman explained.

Selman blamed media outlets for posting clickbait headlines about Marge in order to generate traffic. "Here's my take: Websites need traffic and headlines equal traffic," he told Variety.  "And then you can explain that the headline was misleading at the very end of the article.  Every single media outlet that ran this story knew that in way was Marge dead.  They all knew it, but they ran the headline anyway."

That's true, but at the same time, all that media flurry sparked renewed interest in The Simpsons. Selman was certainly pleased about that.  He added, "I guess this speaks to the fact that people care about Marge.  A the end of the day, it's probably good for business even when these ridiculous, misleading stories go viral."

SOURCES:  Entertainment Weekly, "Relax, Marge Simpson isn't really dead, says 'The Simpsons' showrunner," by Kristen Baldwin, June 27, 2025; Epicstream.com (epicstream.com), Is Marge Really Dead on The Simpsons.  Producer Sets the Record Straight," by Michael Baculinano, June 27, 2025; CNN, "Marge Simpson isn't dead yet, so everyone can calm down," by Lisa Respers France, June 26, 2025; CBC News, Why Marge Simpson's death suddenly has viewers talking about The Simpsons again," by Nick Logan, June 25, 2025, Wikipedia

- Joanne

Happy 100th birthday, June Lockhart!

June Lockhart is a centenarian.  She was born on June 25, 1925 in New York City.  The legendary actress celebrates her 100th birthday today, so what is her recipe for a long and satisfying life?  "I don't spend any time dwelling on things I can't change, she told Closer Weekly in 2024.  She said that she has learned to be patient and trust her inner voice.  "Everything is in flux.  Wait a moment and things will work out." 

June is the daughter of Canadian-American actor Gene Lockhart and English-born actress Kathleen Lockhart (née Arthur).  Her parents named her "June" because that month played a recurring role in their early lives.  It was the great the inventor Thomas Edison who introduced Gene and Kathleen to each other in his office in West Orange, New Jersey.  Edison held a cross-country train tour every year to promote his new inventions.  He would entertain the dealers by presenting his own theatre productions. June's father performed in one of the plays in 1922 and also in 1923, when her mother was hired in June of that year.

Gene and Kathleen were married in Chicago in June of 1924.  They had been expecting a son, whom they intended to name Gene Jr.  "My birth certificate reads. "Female Lockhart," June told a Pennsylvania paper, The Beaver County Times. "They later chose June as my name because it was a significant month in their lives."

June started her career ss a child on stage at New York's Metropolitan Opera.  At the age of eight, she made her professional debut in a production of Peter Ibbetson, playing Mimsey in a dream sequence.  In the mid-1930s, the Lockhart family moved to California, where June's father, Gene, enjoyed a successful career on screen as a character actor.  Meanwhile, June appeared in  movie classics such as 1938's A Christmas Carol (her film debut.  Her parents played Bob Cratchit and his wife, while June played their daughter, Belinda.  In 1944's Meet Me in St. Louis, June portrayed Lucille Ballard alongside Judy Garland.

June (left) with Judy (centre) in Meet Me in St. Louis

June in 1947

June is known for her appearance in three popular TV series:  Lassie, Lost in Space and Petticoat Junction.  She played Timmy's mother, Ruth Martin, in Lassie, from 1958 to 1964, replacing Cloris Leachman in the role of Ruth at the beginning of the show's fifth season.

June and Lassie

From 1965 to 1968, June portrayed matriarch Maureen Robinson in Lost in Space, and Dr. Janet Craig on Petticoat Junction during its final two seasons from 1968 to 1970.  "When I wasn't shooting Lassie, I became the mistress of Scrabble, " she told Closer Weekly.  Lost in Space was her favourite role.  "It was so campy," she said.  "And I truly enjoyed my relationship with my space family.

June on Lost in Space

June as Dr. Janet Craig on Petticoat Junction

Over the years, June has guest-starred in episodes of a wide variety of TV shows.  Here is a list of some of them: Gunsmoke (1958), Have Gun-Will Travel (2 episodes, 1957, 1958), Wagon Train (2 episodes (1958, 1960), Rawhide (1959), Perry Mason (1964), Bewitched (1964), Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964), The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964), Death Valley Days (1965), The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1965), Mr. Novak (1965), The Red Skelton Hour (1965), Family Affair (1968), The Beverly Hillbillies (1968), Marcus Welby, M.D. (1974), Adam-12 (1974), Police Story (1975),  Happy Days (1976), Falcon Crest (1982), Knots Landing (1982), Murder She Wrote (1985),The Colbys (2 episodes, 1986), Hotel (1986), The New Lassie (1989), Full House (1991), The Drew Carey Show (2 episodes, 2002), Las Vegas (2004) and Grey's Anatomy (2006)

June has been married twice.  In 1951, she wed John F. Mahoney.  They had two daughters, Anne Kathleen (born September 6, 1953) and June Elizabeth.  However, June and Mahoney divorced in 1959.  That same year, on April 5, 1959, June married architect John Lindsay, but they divorced in October of 1970.  She never remarried.

END NOTES:

* June Lockhart's grandfather, John Coates Lockhart, was a concert singer.  

* June's daughter, born Anne Kathleen Mahoney, is also an actress.  Known professionally as Anne Lockhart, she is best recognized for her role as Lieutenant Sheba in the 1978-79 television series Battle Star Galactica.

* From 1984 to 1998, June portrayed Mariah Ramirez in episodes of the daytime soap General Hospital.

* In a 1989 episode of The New Lassie, June did not reprise her role as Ruth Martin.  She played Mrs. Chadwick.

* June has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures and one for television.

SOURCES: Closer Weekly, "June Lockhart Reveals What She's Learned at 99," by Louise A. Barile, August 21, 2024; The Beaver County Times, "Who put the 'June" in June Lockhart?," by Nick Thomas; June 9, 2019; Wikipedia; IMDb (Internet Movie Database)

- Joanne

EDITOR'S UPDATE:  June Lockhart passed away at the age of 100.  She died on October 23, 2025 at her home in Santa Monica, California.