When Calls The Heart, the staple of Hallmark’s schedule, is getting an expanded universe.
Hallmark+ has ordered a prequel series – Hope Valley: 1874.
It comes after the original series was renewed for Season 14 with Lori Loughlin returning.
Hope Valley: 1874, which starts production next week in Vancouver, stars Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres, Jill Hennessy, Roan Curtis and Lachlan Quarmby.
The eight-part series, which will premiere in March 2026, will explore the early days of the settlement that will become Hope Valley.
It follows Rebecca Clarke, played by Lenz, 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. Curtis plays Hattie’s daughter, Olivia, and Quarmby plays Constable Alexander Vaughn.
The series was created by Alfonso Moreno, who was previously showrunner of When Calls The Heart.
“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.”
