Erin Krakow born September 5, 1984 is an American actress and producer, best known for her role as Elizabeth Thatcher in the Hallmark series When Calls the Heart and for her appearance in the Lifetime TV series Army Wives. From 2010 to 2012, Krakow had a recurring role as Specialist Tanya Gabriel, a medic in Afghanistan, on the Lifetime drama Army Wives. She later appeared as a guest star on the crime-comedy-drama series Castle.
Erin Krakow Biography 2025
In 2014, she landed the lead role of Elizabeth Thatcher in the Hallmark Channel’s drama series When Calls the Heart, starring alongside Australian actor Daniel Lissing. She portrays a teacher in the small frontier town, a role originally played by Poppy Drayton in the movie that inspired the series. Krakow also starred in the 2016 Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film Finding Father Christmas, based on the novels by Robin Jones Gunn. She played Miranda Chester, a woman who visits a Vermont town during Christmas to uncover the mystery of her father’s identity. The movie became the most-watched premiere in Hallmark’s history. Due to its success, a sequel, Engaging Father Christmas, was produced in 2017, followed by a third film, Marrying Father Christmas, which aired in November 2018.
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Erin Krakow Biography Details
Born
September 5, 1984 (age 40)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Education
Juilliard School (BFA)
Occupation(s)
Actress, producer
Years active
2010–present
Erin Krakow Early Life
Erin Alisa Krakow was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She later moved to Wellington, Florida, where she grew up with her brother, Kyle Krakow, and her parents, Morgan and Dr. Elliott Krakow. Erin attended the Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida. She went on to study drama at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City and began her acting career on stage, performing in productions like The Importance of Being Earnest, George the Fourth, and Steel Magnolias.
Erin Krakow Bio
Category
Details
Born
September 5, 1984, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Family
Parents: Morgan Krakow and Dr. Elliott Krakow, Brother: Kyle Krakow
Education
Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts, Juilliard School
Early Stage Roles
The Importance of Being Earnest, George the Fourth, Steel Magnolias
Erin Krakow Career Highlights
Year
Title/Project
Role/Notes
2010-2012
Army Wives
Specialist Tanya Gabriel, Recurring role
2013
Castle
Julie Rogers, Guest role
2014
When Calls the Heart
Elizabeth Thatcher, Lead role
2016
Finding Father Christmas
Miranda Chester, Television film
2017
Engaging Father Christmas
Miranda Chester, Sequel
2018
Marrying Father Christmas
Miranda Chester, Third film in the series
2019
A Summer Romance
Samantha Walker, Television film
2021
It Was Always You
Elizabeth, Hallmark Channel film
2023
The Wedding Cottage
Vanessa Doyle, Hallmark Film
2025
Blind Date Book Club
Meg Tompkins, Hallmark Film
Erin Krakow Role in When Calls the Heart
Category
Details
Character
Elizabeth Thatcher
Show
When Calls the Heart
Start Year
2014
Co-stars
Daniel Lissing (Jack Thornton)
Role
Lead role as a teacher in a frontier town
Hallmark Movies Starring Erin Krakow
Year
Title
Role
2016
Finding Father Christmas
Miranda Chester
2017
Engaging Father Christmas
Miranda Chester
2018
Marrying Father Christmas
Miranda Chester
2019
A Summer Romance
Samantha Walker
2021
It Was Always You
Elizabeth
2023
The Wedding Cottage
Vanessa Doyle
2025
Blind Date Book Club
Meg Tompkins
Television Appearances of Erin Krakow
Year
Show
Role
2010-2012
Army Wives
Specialist Tanya Gabriel
2013
Castle
Julie Rogers
2015
NCIS: Los Angeles
Emily Moore
2016
Good Girls Revolt
Maureen
2017
NCIS
Elizabeth Dean
Erin Krakow Film Career
Year
Title
Role
2016
Finding Father Christmas
Miranda Chester
2017
Engaging Father Christmas
Miranda Chester
2018
Marrying Father Christmas
Miranda Chester
2019
A Summer Romance
Samantha Walker
Erin Krakow Career Milestones
Category
Details
Breakout Role
Army Wives (2010-2012)
Iconic Role
Elizabeth Thatcher in When Calls the Heart (2014-present)
Notable Films
Finding Father Christmas, Marrying Father Christmas
Co-Executive Producer
When Calls the Heart
Awards and Recognition for Erin Krakow
Year
Award
Category
2017
Hallmark Channel’s Most Popular Actress
Nominated
2020
Best Actress in a TV Movie
Nominated for It Was Always You
Erin Krakow Upcoming Projects
Year
Title
Role
2025
Blind Date Book Club
Meg Tompkins
2025
The Wedding Cottage
Vanessa Doyle
Erin Krakow Net Worth
Erin Krakow has an estimated net worth of $3 million.
Erin Krakow Summary
Erin Krakow, born on September 5, 1984, is an American actress and producer known for her role as Elizabeth Thatcher in the Hallmark series When Calls the Heart. She began her career in theater, studying at Juilliard, and later transitioned to television, gaining recognition for her role in Army Wives. Krakow has also starred in popular Hallmark films, including Finding Father Christmas and its sequels. Alongside her acting, she serves as a co-executive producer for When Calls the Heart. Her versatile career spans television, film, and stage, making her a beloved figure in family-friendly entertainment.
