"When Calls the Heart" Prequel "Hope Valley: 1874" Renewed for Season 2 at Hallmark+

[JamesG]

"When Calls the Heart" Prequel "Hope Valley: 1874" Set at Hallmark+ with Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres and Jill Hennessy (EXCLUSIVE)
by Emily Longeretta
Dec. 12, 2025


The “When Calls the Heart” universe is expanding.

A prequel series, “Hope Valley: 1874”, has been greenlit at Hallmark+ and will begin production next week in Vancouver, Variety can exclusively announce.

Bethany Joy Lenz (One Tree Hill) , Benjamin Ayres (Saving Hope), Jill Hennessy (Crossing Jordan), Roan Curtis (Firefly Lane) and Lachlan Quarmby (Providence Falls) will star in the eight-episode series, set to debut in March 2026, which explores the early days of the settlement now known as Hope Valley.





Lenz portrays Rebecca Clarke, who travels from 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),” the press release reads.

“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 portrays Hattie’s daughter while Quarmby rounds out the main cast as Constable Alexander Vaughn, a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.





The series will feature “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,” Michelle Vicary said in a statement. “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.”

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/whe...74-1236603932/

[JamesG]

Premiering March 21 exclusively on Hallmark+

[JamesG]

"When Calls The Heart" Prequel "Hope Valley: 1874" Renewed for Season 2 at Hallmark+
by Denise Petski
May 6, 2026


"Hope Valley: 1874" will be back for another go-round. Touting the series’ debut as “the most successful launch of a Hallmark+ series to date,” the streamer has renewed the popular "When Calls The Heart" prequel for a second season.

The eight-episode Season 2 will premiere in 2027. The renewal news comes just ahead of the Season 1 finale, Thursday, May 7.



“Hope Valley: 1874’s dream cast led by Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres and Jill Hennessy, has brought to life the rich characters and beautiful story crafted by showrunner Alfonso Moreno,” said Michelle Vicary, Head of Programming, Hallmark Media.

“Our fans and press alike have enthusiastically embraced the series, making it especially rewarding to continue telling this story.”

https://deadline.com/2026/05/when-ca...-2-1236883515/