Mark your calendars, Hearties! On January 31, 2026, Hallmark released the first trailer for its highly anticipated “When Calls The Heart” prequel, “Hope Valley: 1874,” and announced that the series, available exclusively via Hallmark+, will premiere on Saturday, March 21.
After the premiere episode drops, additional episodes will premiere each Thursday, starting on March 26, Hallmark said.
Watch Bethany Joy Lenz’s Character Arrive at the Settlement That Would Later Become Hope Valley
Hallmark announced in mid-December that it was “expanding the universe of ‘When Calls The Heart,'” which is currently airing its 13th season on Hallmark Channel and has been renewed for a 14th. “Hope Valley: 1874” features longtime Hallmark stars Benjamin Ayres and Bethany Joy Lenz alongside Jill Hennessy.
Set in 1874, the eight-episode series explores the earliest days of the frontier settlement originally known as Coal Valley, which would later become Hope Valley. Hallmark’s press release said the prequel will chronicle “the courage, resilience and relationships that laid the foundation for the close-knit town viewers have come to love.”
As seen in the new trailer, Lenz plays Rebecca Clarke, who travels by horse-drawn carriage from her home city of Chicago to the Western Canadian frontier with her 11-year-old-daughter, Sarah (played by Mila Morgan, whom fans may remember from “The Holiday Sitter”).
A narrator begins the dramatic new trailer by stating, “Before Coal Valley, before the town built on love and faith, there was a story of new beginnings. They traveled west for a new life. They were building more than just a home. They were building hope.”
When Rebecca’s “wagon breaks down and she realizes the boardinghouse is not as advertised,” Hallmark’s synopsis says, “Rebecca has no choice but to accept help from local rancher and confirmed bachelor, Tom Moore,” played by Ayres.
The synopsis says that although Rebecca is intent on remaining independent, she “can’t help but slowly fall for Tom and develop a friendship with tenacious pioneer woman Hattie Quinn,” played by Hennessy.
‘Hope Valley: 1874’ Features an Impressive Ensemble Cast
Rounding out the ensemble cast are “Providence Falls” star Lachlan Quarmby as Constable Alexander Vaughn, “Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane” actress Chelsea Hobbs as Peggy McCabe, who’s married to Tom’s foreman, Nash McCabe, played by “A Splash of Love” actor Brad Abramenko. In addition, Jedidiah Goodacre plays Clayton Cooley, and Roan Curtis plays Hattie’s daughter, Olivia.
In “Hope Valley: 1874,” Hattie and Olivia run a trading post, and Olivia “catches the eye of Constable Vaughn, “much to the dismay of Clayton, who harbors feelings for her,” per the synopsis.
Hallmark’s press release about the new series said “Hope Valley: 1874” aims to showcase “themes of perseverance and romance” while exploring “the journey of a mother as she discovers a new chapter in her life,” surrounded by “isolated settlers” who grow to become a “close-knit community during the rugged and hopeful Pioneer Era.”
The cast began filming in late December, and is expected to continue filming in Vancouver until early March. Ayres has periodically posted videos from the set, giving fans little sneak peeks along the way.
When Hallmark posted the trailer to social media, Ayres commented, “See ya on March 21st ya’ll 🐎 ❤️” and Abramenko chimed in, “🙌❤️ we are so excited for this!”
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First Look at Hallmark’s ‘Hope Valley: 1874’ & Premiere Date Revealed