You’ve probably been watching Heartland for a long time. Maybe you started when Amy and Ty were just teenagers, or maybe you hopped on the bandwagon later. But if there is one face that feels like it grew up right in front of our eyes, it’s Georgie Fleming Morris.
Alisha Newton is the actress who plays Georgie in Heartland.
She didn't just walk onto the set as a background character. She basically took over the show starting in Season 6. One minute she’s this scrappy, runaway kid named Georgina Crawley hiding in a stall, and the next, she’s an Olympic-level show jumper and a core member of the Bartlett-Fleming clan.
Honestly, it’s rare to see a child actor handle that kind of transition so well. Most of the time, child stars either get recast or the character just... fades away. But Alisha stayed. She became the heartbeat of the ranch for a whole generation of viewers.
The Girl Behind the Saddle: Who is Alisha Newton?
Alisha Newton was born on July 22, 2001, in Vancouver.
When she first joined the Heartland cast, she was only 10 or 11 years old. Imagine that. Most of us were struggling with middle school math, and she was learning how to act alongside veteran stars like Shaun Johnston while simultaneously figuring out how to handle massive horses.
She actually had a pretty solid head start before the ranch. You might have spotted her as a "Little Girl" in an episode of Supernatural (specifically "Clap Your Hands If You Believe") or playing a young Annabeth Chase in the big-budget film Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.
But Georgie was the role that changed everything.
🔗 Read more: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
Why did Georgie disappear from Heartland?
This is the question that keeps fans up at night.
If you watched Season 15, you probably noticed a gaping hole in the cast. Georgie was gone. No riding scenes, no dinner table banter with Lou and Peter, nothing.
The writers explained it away by saying she was off in Florida, training for the Olympics. It made sense for the character—Georgie was always driven—but the real reason was much more "Hollywood."
Alisha Newton wasn't quitting; she was branching out.
While Heartland was filming its 15th and 17th seasons, Alisha was busy working on other projects. She landed a lead role in the Netflix cult thriller Devil in Ohio as Helen Mathis. She also moved over to another massive book-to-screen adaptation, My Life with the Walter Boys, where she plays Erin.
Basically, she grew up.
She wanted to see if she could play something other than a horse-crazy teenager. Can you blame her? She spent over a decade on one ranch. Sometimes a person just needs a change of scenery, even if that scenery isn't the beautiful Alberta Rockies.
💡 You might also like: Why American Beauty by the Grateful Dead is Still the Gold Standard of Americana
Georgie’s Evolution: From Runaway to Legend
When we talk about who plays Georgie in Heartland, we have to talk about the physical and emotional work Alisha put into the role.
Georgie wasn't an easy kid. She was defensive. She had a "chip on her shoulder" because of her time in the foster care system. Alisha played that balance of vulnerability and toughness perfectly.
- The Early Years: Scared, rebellious, and bonded with a horse named Phoenix.
- The Middle Years: Dealing with the "extreme" sports of trick riding and show jumping.
- The Mature Years: Navigating a serious relationship with Quinn McGregor and eyeing the Olympics.
Did you know Alisha is actually a rider in real life?
That isn't always the case with actors on the show. While many of them learn the basics, Alisha is a genuine equestrian. This is why the jumping scenes look so authentic. When you see Georgie’s posture in the saddle, that’s not a stunt double doing 100% of the work—that’s Alisha’s actual skill coming through.
Is she coming back for Season 18 or 19?
The status of Georgie in the most recent seasons has been a bit of a rollercoaster.
She made a brief, much-celebrated return at the end of Season 16. It felt like the family was finally whole again. But then, Season 17 came and went without a single Georgie sighting. It was weird. Fans were especially annoyed that she didn't show up for her own parents' (Lou and Peter) re-wedding.
As of early 2026, her involvement in future seasons remains a "wait and see" situation.
📖 Related: Why October London Make Me Wanna Is the Soul Revival We Actually Needed
The door is never closed at Heartland. That’s the beauty of the show. Characters like Mallory (Jessica Amley) have left and come back years later. Alisha has a deep love for the show, but with her career blowing up on Netflix, she's a busy woman.
What to Watch Next if You Miss Georgie
If you’re having Georgie withdrawals, you don't have to just re-watch Season 6 for the tenth time.
You can see Alisha Newton’s range in a few different places. If you want something dark and moody, Devil in Ohio is your best bet. It’s a complete 180 from the wholesome vibes of the ranch. If you want something closer to the Heartland feel—teen drama, romance, and beautiful locations—My Life with the Walter Boys is definitely the way to go.
She also recently appeared in Murder in a Small Town, proving she’s settling into more adult, procedural roles as she gets older.
Quick Facts about Alisha Newton
- Age: She turns 25 in July 2026.
- Horses: She owns her own horses and often shares them on Instagram.
- Awards: She’s won several Joey Awards and Canadian Screen Award nominations for her work as Georgie.
- Height: She’s about 5'4", which often surprised fans who thought she looked taller on horseback.
The reality is that Alisha Newton is no longer that little girl who stole a horse and hid in a barn. She’s a seasoned pro. Whether she returns to the ranch full-time or just stops by for a guest appearance to finally marry Quinn, her legacy as the girl who played Georgie is set in stone.
Your next move? If you're looking to catch up on her latest work, head over to Netflix and check out Season 1 of My Life with the Walter Boys. It’ll give you a fresh perspective on her acting style outside of the riding gear. After that, keep an eye on the official CBC Heartland social media accounts for Season 18/19 casting announcements—they usually drop hints about returning favorites a few months before the premiere.
The ranch is always there, but Alisha is currently busy conquering the rest of the world.