Luke Macfarlane, the Canadian actor best known for his role on Brothers & Sisters and his Hallmark rom-coms, is embracing a new chapter in his career. The 45-year-old star is revealing more about himself—both personally and professionally—as he steps into a new role as host of Home Is Where the Heart Is, a home renovation show that premieres March 20 on Hallmark Plus.
In a recent photo shoot for Out magazine, Macfarlane checked a few personal boxes—literally. The actor wanted to be outdoors, get dirty, and, yes, even submerge himself in a stream. The photo shoot, held on a picturesque day in Malibu, saw him digging, working with a shovel, and embracing nature. Macfarlane says his inspiration for the shoot stemmed from a childhood spent outdoors. “I remember being a kid when you’re by yourself and you just felt a little wild, a little free,” he recalls.
Photo: John Russo for Out
The shoot marked a personal moment for Macfarlane, who typically keeps his physique under wraps in public. “I’m not gonna look this way forever,” he admits. “Why do I go to the gym if I don’t show it?” With a playful push against his friends’ teasing that he’s “sometimes a little bit stiff,” he embraced his “inner hippie” side during the photoshoot. For Macfarlane, it’s all about presenting a more authentic side of himself.
This new openness aligns with his latest venture on Home Is Where the Heart Is. As an executive producer and host, Macfarlane teams up with designer Olivia Westbrooks to help families transform their homes. His love of carpentry, which began in his childhood and was nurtured by his father, takes center stage in the series. Macfarlane reflects on his father’s craftsmanship, describing how his dad “completely rebuilt” their childhood home. “Woodworking was an act of love,” Macfarlane says, and that same sentiment continues to shape his own passion for building and restoring.
Photo: John Russo for Out
On the show, Macfarlane crafts custom wood pieces for each family he works with. In the first episode, he creates a door for a children’s nook under the stairs, a charming gift he presents to the family. “Do you know what they call sawdust? Carpenter fairy dust,” he jokes during one scene, fully embracing his “hands-on” approach to the craft.
For Macfarlane, the show offers a platform to share a more personal side of himself. Despite any public assumptions about his masculinity, particularly regarding his passion for woodworking, he emphasizes that this is no publicity stunt. “This is a very true, authentic piece of myself,” he asserts. “And it comes from a real place.”
The Hallmark Channel has played a significant role in Macfarlane’s career, allowing him to expand beyond the romantic roles he is known for. Since his first Hallmark film, The Memory Book, in 2014, the actor has continued to evolve, even portraying an openly gay character in 2023’s Notes of Autumn. “They’ve let me play an out gay man on their network,” Macfarlane says, acknowledging the channel’s support as he navigates his changing career.
Photo: John Russo for Out
Macfarlane’s latest projects reflect his broadening horizons. He’s slated to star in the young-adult zombie film This Is Not a Test and has returned for the second season of Platonic on Apple TV. Known for his diverse roles, Macfarlane admires actors like Bradley Cooper and Timothée Chalamet for their ability to juggle different genres and artistic pursuits.
Beyond his professional milestones, Macfarlane’s personal life has also undergone a significant transformation. He and his partner, former professional skier Hig Roberts, became parents in June 2023 with the birth of their daughter, Tess. Parenthood has profoundly impacted Macfarlane, nurturing qualities of compassion and patience that have deepened his relationships. “I’m so much more loving and compassionate with other people,” he reflects.
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Despite his evolving public persona, Macfarlane remains rooted in his values. He credits his upbringing and faith for grounding him in times of personal and political upheaval. “I just wish people would operate a little bit more from, ‘How was the other person feeling?'” he says, addressing the current political divide. “That’s something that I’ve learned from scripture. It’s not about demanding results; it’s about understanding each other.”
In Home Is Where the Heart Is, Macfarlane seeks to connect with viewers not just through renovation, but through his philosophy on home and family. He believes that a home has a soul and should reflect its history. “We don’t always represent ourselves with the same intentionality in our homes as we do with our clothes,” he says, underscoring his belief in honoring a space’s past while crafting something new.
As he continues to evolve as both a public figure and a father, Macfarlane remains grateful for the community that has supported him throughout his career. “I’m lucky to belong to a community that is interested in how I’m developing,” he says. “And I hope you’re just as interested in my life now as you were when I was 22 years old.”
With his career entering a new phase, Macfarlane is embracing his passions for woodworking, acting, and fatherhood. Whether on screen or at home, he’s proving that it’s never too late to share new sides of yourself—and never too late to get your hands dirty.
Photo: John Russo for Out
