Bethany Joy Lenz Set to Star in When Calls the Heart Spinoff Series
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Hallmark Channel’s popular drama series, When Calls the Heart, is expanding with an exclusive spinoff series, as revealed by PEOPLE magazine. The new prequel series, titled Hope Valley: 1874, will feature Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres and Jill Hennessy in leading roles.
The upcoming show is described as “rugged” and is scheduled to start production this month. Fans can look forward to the premiere exclusively on Hallmark+ in March 2026. The announcement comes as the original series gears up for its 13th season debut in January.
Hope Valley: 1874 will take viewers back in time to the early days of the settlement that eventually becomes Hope Valley. The storyline will focus on Rebecca Clarke, played by Bethany Joy Lenz, who relocates from Chicago to the Western Canadian frontier with her daughter. She encounters local rancher Tom Moore, portrayed by Benjamin Ayres, and pioneer woman Hattie Quinn, played by Jill Hennessy.
Lenz and Ayres bring their experience with Hallmark to the new series, while this marks Hennessy’s debut with the network. Production for the eight-episode series is set to commence in Vancouver next week.
The show’s narrative will delve into the challenges and adventures of the characters as they come together to build a close-knit community in the pioneer era. Viewers can expect to meet a diverse cast of characters, including ranchers, gold prospectors, and early pioneers, as they navigate the changes of a new era.
The spinoff series, Hope Valley: 1874, serves as an opportunity to further explore the universe of When Calls the Heart. Executive producer Brian Bird emphasises the theme of hope and love as central to the show, resonating with the core idea since the series’ inception.
Michelle Vicary, head of programming at Hallmark Media, expressed excitement for fans to witness the rich origin story filled with heart, community, and hope. The new spinoff adds depth to the beloved series and aims to engage audiences with its compelling storytelling.
This marks the second spinoff for When Calls the Heart, following the success of When Hope Calls, which premiered in 2019. The original series, starring Erin Krakow, Kevin McGarry, and Jack Wagner, continues to captivate audiences and has been renewed for a 14th season.
As anticipation builds for the premiere of Hope Valley: 1874 in March 2026, Hallmark Channel remains committed to delivering engaging and heartwarming content that resonates with viewers. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new addition to the When Calls the Heart franchise.