Hallmark expands universe of 'When Calls the Heart' with prequel series 'Hope Valley: 1874,' starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres & Jill Hennessy

Series to premiere exclusively on Hallmark+ in March 2026

Hallmark Press Release

Hallmark is expanding the universe of “When Calls the Heart” with the new series “Hope Valley: 1874,” which begins production next week in Vancouver, and will premiere in March 2026 exclusively on Hallmark+.

Starring Bethany Joy Lenz (“A Biltmore Christmas”), Benjamin Ayres (“The Santa Class”) and Jill Hennessy (“City on a Hill”), the eight-episode series takes place in 1874 and explores the early days of the settlement that later becomes Hope Valley. 

Lenz portrays Rebecca Clarke, who travels from her home city of Chicago to the Western Canadian frontier with her 11-year-old-daughter. But when her wagon breaks down, she has no choice but to accept help from local rancher and confirmed bachelor, Tom Moore (Ayres). Despite Rebecca’s best intentions to remain unattached, the future she dreams of for her and her daughter, along with the people she meets in this fledgling town – including the guarded Tom and tenacious pioneer woman Hattie Quinn (Hennessy) – ultimately compel her to put down roots and make a fresh start.

Also starring in the series are Roan Curtis (“Firefly Lane”) as Hattie’s daughter, Olivia; and Lachlan Quarmby (“Providence Falls”) as Constable Alexander Vaughn, one of the first members of the newly created Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Viewers will also meet the adventurous ranchers, gold prospectors and early pioneers who worked together to navigate and embrace the changes of a new era and ultimately build a small, close-knit community in the rugged and hopeful pioneer era.

“ ‘Hope Valley: 1874’ gives us a wonderful opportunity to further explore the universe of ‘When Calls the Heart’ and build a deeper world around this show for our devoted fans, who have helped make it one of the most successful and enduring series on television today,” said Michelle Vicary, head of programming, Hallmark Media. "We’re excited for the ‘Hearties’ to join us as we tell this rich origin story filled with the kind of heart, community and hope they know and love.”

A longtime fan-favorite series, “When Calls the Heart” premiered on Hallmark Channel in 2014 and was renewed for a 14th season on Dec. 2. The series finished its 12th season as the no. 1 most-watched program this year to-date on entertainment cable among key demographics.