‘Always going to feel like home’: ‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ stars on filming highly-anticipated fourth season in N.S.

CTV’s hit original drama “Sullivan’s Crossing” makes its highly-anticipated return this weekend.

The series, based on the New York Times best-selling novels by author Robyn Carr, stars Morgan Kohan as Dr. Maggie Sullivan and Chad Michael Murray as Cal Jones.

Renowned actor Tom Jackson and Andrea Menard also star as Frank and Edna Cranebear.

The third season ended with the sudden arrival of Maggie’s ex, Liam, which threatens to disrupt her plans with Cal.

“This isn’t something Maggie was expecting, so it’s a big shock to both of them,” Kohan said during an interview with Your Morning Atlantic’s Crystal Carrett.

“Sullivan’s Crossing” became CTV’s most-watched Canadian drama and was a consistent top 20 series on Crave during the third season.

“There’s a reason that it’s done so well and we’re on our fourth season. It’s a show that resonates, I think it can kind of resonate with everybody, there’s a bit of something for everyone,” says Kohan.

Murray says even if viewers don’t identify with a character, they can identify with the situation.

“I just think that it’s very grounded, it’s very human, but it’s not gratuitous, so you can have it on in the background… you can watch it with your family and kids, mom, dad, everybody, the whole crew,” he said.

“And it just grows – these characters, I think, from what I’m hearing from people out in the world is that the characters are starting to feel like a member of their family and that is such a refreshing thing to hear.”

“Sullivan’s Crossing” has been set and filmed in the Halifax-area throughout its run.

While Kohan was born and raised in British Columbia she says both Canadian coasts have similarities.

“I think on both sides there’s a calmness, there’s a pace that’s a little bit different, that’s so inviting and warm… and there’s a great sense of humour on the East Coast that I really, really enjoy,” she says.

Murray calls the area “the best kept secret in North America.”

“First and foremost, it’s the people. When ‘Sullivan’ started, my wife and I, Sarah, we just said, ‘look, let’s get as immersed in the community as we can, and everybody just welcomed us in with open arms,” he said.

“We just feel like we have a community and a crew and I’m coaching my son’s football team and we’ve got grocery clerks that we love and people that we go to restaurants with, like we have forever friends now in Halifax we literally were just on vacation with… it’s just always going to feel like home.”

Kohan and Murray say some of their local favorite spots include Point Pleasant Park, the north end of Halifax, Chop Steakhouse, Cows ice cream, Pane e Circo and HARVEST Clean Eats.

The fourth season of “Sullivan’s Crossing” will consist of 10 one-hour episodes and premieres Sunday at 9 p.m. Atlantic time on CTV and streams next day on Crave.

Crave is a division of Bell Media, which is part of BCE Inc.