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, Benjamin Ayres, Jill Hennessy, Roan Curtis and Lachlan Quarmby 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 (played by Roan Curtis). “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.”
Quarmby rounds out the main cast as Constable Alexander Vaughn, a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Roan Curtis, Lachlan Quarmby
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.”
This marks one of the first new greenlights by Michelle Vicary, who returned to Hallmark as head of programming in August. During her original 22 years with the company, she oversaw the launch of “When Calls the Heart,” which remains a Hallmark hit.
“’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,” she 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.”
“When Calls the Heart” was recently renewed for its 13th season at Hallmark Channel, set for 2026, starring Erin Krakow, Kevin McGarry, Jack Wagner, Chris McNally, Pascale Hutton, and Kavan Smith. Additionally, original series star Lori Loughlin will return after being written out in 2019 amid the college admissions scandal.
The original series, inspired by Janette Oke’s book of the same name, debuted in 2014. A spinoff series, “When Hope Calls,” debuted in 2019. While the first season aired on the then-titled Hallmark Movies Now and later on Hallmark Channel, it later moved to Great American Family for its second season.
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