The most intense viewer debate over Baessato's height erupted when he stepped into Hope Valley as Jerome Smith on When Calls the Heart. Period Western sets naturally amplify height differences because costumes feature hard-soled riding boots and structured wool waistcoats. Furthermore, the male cast of the series leans taller than standard television averages.
Kevin McGarry, who plays Mountie Nathan Grant, stands 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm). Chris McNally, portraying Lucas Bouchard, also stands around 6 feet 2 inches. When Baessato shares scenes across boardroom tables or street paths with McGarry or McNally, the co-star height difference is immediately apparent. Baessato gives up roughly five to six inches to the leading men.
The production team used visual blocking to retain Jerome Smith’s intimidating persona. Directors positioned Baessato on wooden porch risers, staged him standing while others remained seated, or used low camera angles looking upward at his chin. Beside Erin Krakow (Elizabeth Thornton), who stands roughly 5 feet 9 inches in slight character heels, Baessato appears directly at eye level. This side-by-side alignment confirms that his true standing height sits right around the 5'8" to 5'9" boundary.
