Aidan Moreno didn’t initially plan to pursue acting, but a chance background stint on a popular CW show changed the course of his career. Now, he’s amassed quite the body of work (Earpers, you might recognize him as Albert on Wynonna Earp!).
October is a busy month for Aidan — he’s poised to return to CBC’s Heartland as “office know-it-all” Rick Adderly, and his debut album, My Kind of Trouble, will hit all streaming platforms.
I had the privilege of chatting with Aidan about his role on Heartland, what fans can expect for the upcoming season, his musical influences and what’s on the horizon for him.
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This interview has been condensed for clarity.
Melody McCune: We at GGA love a good origin story. So, what’s Aidan Moreno’s origin story?
Aidan Moreno: I’m originally from England — single mother, working class. I was originally going to be a teacher and moved to Canada to pursue teaching. I fell into acting purely by accident … I did background work on a show called Reign, which used to be on The CW.
I looked at the actors around me and thought, “I want to do that; that looks like something I could do.” I did drama in high school but never pursued it. All the cards fell into place, went to a few acting classes and the rest is history.
MM: Let’s talk about your role as Rick Adderly on Heartland. You’re playing the first LGBTQIA+ character on Canada’s longest-running drama series. What was the audition process like?
AM: It was during the beginning of the pandemic, so everything was locked down, and it was all up in the air — how to audition and when to audition. So, I made a makeshift self-tape studio in my basement with five dogs and a cat. It was kind of heart-wrenching at moments if they were going to bark or not, but it was all done via Zoom.
I didn’t think I stood a chance. I had the callback again on Zoom with all the producers. And it surprisingly went well; the dogs did bark, but I think that helped me … the show is very animal-based.
They could see I was an animal lover at heart. The audition process was, I suppose, less stressful because you didn’t have the initial nerves of walking into a room and having to perform. I was at home, and I had my jogging pants on, but they couldn’t see that.
MM: On the show, Rick works alongside Lou as she becomes the new Mayor of Hudson. He’s described as the classic “office know-it-all.” There’s a lot of sass and sarcasm between him and Lou. Do you share similar traits with Rick?
AM: Probably. I would love to say I don’t, but I think he’s more of a caricature version of myself. I draw upon how I would’ve acted 10 years ago. I think it’s me in high school but in a professional setting. I’ve always got something to say; I’ve always got an opinion, whether it’s warranted or asked for.
But, deep down, I think the similarity between Rick and me is there’s a deep respect and loyalty with Lou and the other characters behind the caricature and sass. I hope people begin to see that because they initially see this harsh and sometimes brutally opinionated guy.
He’s one of those people where, they say, “A good friend will always tell you what you don’t want to hear.” So, he adds reality to quite a dramatic series.

MM: Do you have any favorite onset memories from Heartland?
AM: If I’m ever asked to drive a car — even though I drive, I don’t have a car here in Toronto, so it feels like I’ve never driven before every time. The directors and the camera guys always cross their fingers and toes to make me stop in the right place. Whoever’s in the car beside me is like, “Have you ever driven before?”
Last season, the best moment was when Chris Potter, who plays Tim, directed episode four and played around with the actors. It’s great when you know them, and you’ve worked with them, on-screen and off. Michelle [Morgan], who plays Lou, directed two episodes this season, which was a lot of fun.
MM: What can fans expect for the upcoming season?
AM: They’ll be happy with how the series moves forward because it’s one of “new beginnings,” and the characters pursue their hopes and dreams. Last season was a bit more dramatic, and, obviously, we had the huge loss of Ty, so it was centered upon grief and moving forward. For this one, we finally get to do it.
Lou is making big life decisions, and I’m there at her side again, whether she wants it or not, giving her unsolicited advice. We get to find out more about my character, his background and more on his backstory. I can’t say who, but we also get a guest from his past coming into this season. We may or may not get to see him on a horse. I’m making this sound farm-y.
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MM: You’re really selling it up, and I appreciate that! Let’s switch gears a bit. You’re also a musician, and your debut album, My Kind of Trouble, features 18 pop-country tracks, slated for release on October 8. Can you talk about the story behind the album title and the themes and musical influences that went into making it?
AM: Music was always my first love, but I never had the confidence to pursue it. With acting and Heartland, I had the resources and time to do it. Michelle and Amber [Marshall] encouraged me as well. In between filming Season 14 and 15, I sat down and started writing. I played it for a few people, and they’re like, “Oh my God, this is quite good.” Then, I continued writing more, and I honestly couldn’t stop — it was almost like therapy.
It was a nice way to put my thoughts out there because I’m not good at communicating with other people, so music was my outlet. I called it My Kind of Trouble because I’m a bit nutty, so it’s literally “my kind of trouble.” It’s an infusion of pop, which I grew up with during the late 90s/early 2000s in the UK, and we loved pop and R&B.
But working in Alberta, I’ve become this random country guy. I think my mom must’ve married a cowboy in a secret life. One of the songs is called “Heartland.”
It’s about relationships, self-worth, our connections in life, closure and empowerment of love. There are some songs about mental health and the struggles we face each day and that we internalize. I listen to generally the normal stuff like Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Alessia Cara, Shawn Mendes and Lil Nas X. Amy Winehouse, and even the Spice Girls back in the day.
My mom always had an eclectic collection growing up. She used to listen to UB40, Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley, so that infusion of everything influenced the fact that the album is radio-friendly. We have to absorb different cultures and different sounds, so I hope it reflects that.
MM: If you could collaborate with a dream musical artist, who would that be?
AM: If I were thinking about money, I’d say Ed Sheeran. Suppose I was thinking about my inner child, any of the Spice Girls. For the grown-up Aidan: Amber Marshall, who works on Heartland, because she’s a fabulous singer. There we go; I got all three of them!
MM: Love it! I’m quite fond of the inner child one, though; I’m not going to lie.
AM: Girl power!
MM: Are there any plans for a tour in the future?
AM: I don’t know what’s happening with everything now. This is so new to me, and I’ve only finished filming Heartland last week. It’s all up in the air, and I tried to time the [album] release with the new season starting. As long as it gains traction, I would love to do a tour. I think we’re all craving interaction and being surrounded by people again, but obviously when it’s safe.

MM: What advice would you give to aspiring creatives looking to get their foot in the door of this industry?
AM: Be true to yourself. For the first part of my acting career, I tried to be what I thought everyone else wanted me to be. That’s detrimental to you and your career, and your talent only shines through when you believe in yourself.
It’s better to stand out and get a no than be the same and maybe get a yes, but you’re never going to get anywhere other than a few walk-on roles. Always be true to yourself, and if you can, pick roles you believe in. That’s why I’m so happy about Rick being the first LGBTQIA+ character on Heartland because the show hasn’t had anything like that before.
Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of gay or bisexual men to look up to because HIV and AIDS wiped out that generation. I feel a big responsibility to represent my community and the people looking up to me. I think if you’re part of a community in the minority and you get the opportunity to represent it, take it by the horns and make sure you do a bloody good job.
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MM: What’s on the horizon for you, acting-wise?
AM: After Season 15, which we’ve just finished filming — that starts on October 17 and runs for 10 weeks — I’m in Christmas with a Prince: The Royal Baby. I’m also returning to Canada’s number one comedy, Jann. I’m going to be in Season Three toward the end of the season. I get to share the screen with not only Jann [Arden] again, but Michael Bublé.
MM: Did you binge-watch anything interesting during the pandemic?
AM: I’m obsessed with any of the Real Housewives series. Because I work in TV, I have to watch a lot for research. My brain likes to switch off, and I love a bit of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I could quote them all day long, look at memes from the show and send them to my friends. Any Bravo reality TV show.
MM: Hey, it’s easy escapism! At least you didn’t say Tiger King.
AM: I’ve just watched it, but I could easily forget about it.
MM: We’re all trying to forget about that part of the pandemic.
AM: I did like The Morning Show on Apple TV Plus with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. I liked what they did with the Me Too movement, and they did it from a woman’s perspective. I like how Reese set up the female-led production company, and it’s taking over the straight white male’s perspective and giving a different side of it. I watch a lot of British TV from home as well.
MM: Name your top five favorite films or anything that pops in your head.
AM: As a child, I was obsessed with Jurassic Park. The film I used to watch with my grandfather was Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Jeepers Creepers, A Quiet Place and Scream.
MM: Aidan, thank you so much for chatting with me! Congratulations on Heartland and your upcoming album!
AM: Thank you so much, Melody; I appreciate it!
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Be sure to follow Aidan on Instagram and Twitter, and you can listen to My Kind of Trouble on all platforms on Friday, October 8. Then, tune in to watch Aidan on Heartland when Season 15 premieres on Sunday, October 17 on CBC!
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