Weeks before the hit series “When Calls The Heart” kicks off its 13th season, Hallmark has announced that a prequel — “Hope Valley: 1874” — will debut exclusively on Hallmark+ in March 2026, “expanding the universe of ‘When Calls The Heart.'”
Hallmark announced on December 12, 2025, that longtime Hallmark stars Benjamin Ayres and Bethany Joy Lenz will star alongside Jill Hennessy, with filming set to begin next week in Vancouver.
What is ‘Hope Valley: 1874’ About?
According to press materials from Hallmark, the eight-episode “Hope Valley: 1874” will take place, naturally, in the year 1874, exploring “the early days of the settlement that later becomes Hope Valley.”
Lenz will play 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,” played by Ayres.
“Despite Rebecca’s best intentions to remain unattached,” Hallmark’s synopsis continues, “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 (played by Hennessy) – ultimately compel her to put down roots and make a fresh start.”
Hallmark said the cast will also include Roan Curtis as Hattie’s daughter Olivia, and “Providence Falls” star Lachlan Quarmby as Constable Alexander Vaughn, “one of the first members of the newly created Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”
Meet the Stars of ‘Hope Valley: 1874’
Hallmark has kept Ayres very busy lately; he starred in October’s “An Angel Christmas Match,” had a two-episode cameo in the second season of “Mistletoe Murders,” and hosted the “Hallmark Christmas Experience” special that premiered on December 6, filmed during the first weekend of the Kansas City fan event.
Lenz, who has starred in many Hallmark hits, including 2023’s “A Biltmore Christmas,” but spent much of the last year launching and promoting her best-selling memoir.
Hennesy, meanwhile, will make her Hallmark debut in “Hope Valley: 1874,” but has starred in many hit series during her career, from “Crossing Jordan” to “City on a Hill.”
Hallmark Exec Calls ‘Hope Valley: 1874’ a ‘Rich Origin Story’
In a press statement, Hallmark Media head of programming Michelle Vicary said, “‘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.”
Fans were quick to flood social media with excitement, including one who commented on Hallmark’s Instagram post about the series, “So we got the MCU, DCEU, FOX Marvel Universe, DCU, Star Wars Universe, now we are getting the Hope Valley Universe 😆🙌🙌”
“When Calls The Heart” season 13 premieres on Hallmark Channel on January 4, and has already been renewed for a 14th season, with “Hope Valley: 1874” premiering in between the two seasons.
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Hallmark Surprises Fans With ‘When Calls the Heart’ Prequel ‘Hope Valley: 1874’