Hallmark is doubling down on the When Calls the Heart universe with a new series.
But be prepared, this one won’t be on Hallmark Channel. It will be a Hallmark+ exclusive.
Hope Valley: 1874 begins production next week in Vancouver, BC, and will premiere in March 2026.
Starring Bethany Joy Lenz (A Biltmore Christmas), Benjamin Ayres (The Santa Class), and Jill Hennessy (City on a Hill), the eight-episode series set in 1874 explores the early days of the settlement that would later become Hope Valley.
Lenz portrays 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 (Ayres).
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.
That includes the guarded Tom and tenacious pioneer woman Hattie Quinn (Hennessy), who ultimately compel her to put down roots and make a fresh start.
Also starring in the series are Roan Curtis (Firefly Lane) as Hattie’s daughter, Olivia, and Lachlan Quarmby (Providence Falls) as Constable Alexander Vaughn, one of the first members of the newly created Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Viewers will also meet the adventurous ranchers, gold prospectors, and early pioneers who worked together to navigate and embrace the changes of a new era, ultimately building a small, close-knit community in the rugged, hopeful pioneer era.
Michelle Vickary, Head of Programming, Hallmark Media, released a statement about the new series today.
“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.
“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.”
This new series comes weeks after the cancellation of The Way Home, which is expected to premiere its fourth and final season sometime in 2026.
That series was moved to Hallmark+ after a fan outcry demanding it return to Hallmark Channel. That may have been the nail in the series’ coffin.
Hope Valley: 1874 has an excellent cast and could be just what the doctor ordered.
Longtime fan-favorite series When Calls the Heart premiered on Hallmark Channel in 2014 and was renewed for Season 14 on December 2.
When Calls the Heart Season 13 premieres on January 4.
What do you think? Are you ready for the WCTH universe to expand?
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The post When Calls the Heart Spinoff Hope Valley: 1874 Coming to Hallmark+ In March 2026 appeared first on TV Fanatic.
