Martin Cummins was honing his villain chops on “Kyle XY” years before he stepped onto the Hope Valley set. Currently playing complicated businessman Henry Gowen on “When Calls the Heart,” “Kyle XY” had Cummins take on a much more straightforward antagonist. Now considered a cult classic, ABC’s late-2000s hit “Kyle XY” began with a teenage boy waking up in the middle of a forest with no memories or belly button. The rest of the series followed the titular Kyle in his journey to learn more about his past and discover who — or what — he may be. Cummins debuted in “Kyle XY” Season 2 as Brian Taylor, a member of a secretive scientific society that turns out to have sinister plans for Kyle.
After clashing with one of Kyle’s closest allies in Season 2’s penultimate episode, Cummins left the series for good. Although “Kyle XY” was reportedly one of ABC Family’s most-watched shows throughout its first season, its ratings steadily started dwindling about halfway through Season 2. ABC officially canceled the series in 2009, confirming that Season 3 would be the last and adding to the pile of canned sci-fi shows. Despite multiple storylines left unresolved by its abrupt cancelation, “Kyle XY” has never been rebooted, although the original cast of the series reunited for a 20th anniversary celebration of the pilot last June.
Martin Cummins is a pro at playing villains
Martin Cummins is no stranger to being the villain. Prior to his casting on “When Calls the Heart,” most of his acting roles were antagonistic in nature. “I have usually played the villain roles, but these are necessary to move stories forward,” the actor told Sonoma Christian Home in a 2015 interview. Cummins’ villainous background lent him the perfect skill set to play the callous businessman Henry Gowen in “When Calls the Heart.” But Gowen’s eventual redemption arc soon became a “refreshing” opportunity for Cummins to chart new territory as an actor.
“Henry Gowen, my character, is more than a hard-hearted business guy,” the star explained. “[He] longs for relationships. Viewers are likely to become more sympathetic towards Henry Gowen, as they learn how he has been hurt and why he has become bitter.” Since being cast on the Hallmark series, Cummins has continued to expand his acting resume with a mix of villainous and heroic roles, portraying the good-hearted Sheriff Keller on all seven seasons of “Riverdale.” He is expected to reprise his role as Gowen for the upcoming “When Calls the Heart” Season 14, which will see the return of his former business partner, Abigail Stanton (Lori Loughlin).