A New Prequel to ‘When Calls The Heart’ Coming to Hallmark+
Hallmark’s beloved series, When Calls The Heart, is expanding with a new prequel titled Hope Valley: 1874, set to explore the early days of the town that fans have come to cherish.
This announcement follows the renewal of the original series for its 14th season, bringing back star Lori Loughlin.
Production for Hope Valley: 1874 is set to begin next week in Vancouver. The eight-part series is slated to premiere in March 2026, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres, Jill Hennessy, Roan Curtis, and Lachlan Quarmby.
The storyline revolves around Rebecca Clarke, portrayed by Lenz, who leaves Chicago for the Western Canadian frontier with her 11-year-old daughter. When their wagon breaks down, she reluctantly accepts assistance from local rancher Tom Moore (Ayres), a confirmed bachelor. As Rebecca navigates her intentions to maintain independence, her dreams for a new life and the relationships she forms—including with the reserved Tom and determined pioneer Hattie Quinn (Hennessy)—encourage her to settle down and start anew. Curtis plays Hattie’s daughter, Olivia, while Quarmby portrays Constable Alexander Vaughn.
Created by Alfonso Moreno, who previously served as showrunner for When Calls The Heart, the series has garnered excitement among fans. Michelle Vicary, Head of Programming at Hallmark Media, stated, “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. 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.”
