<p id=”par-1_12″>The <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/melissa-gilbert-confirms-when-calls-the-heart-season-13-return.html/”><em>When Calls the Heart</em></a><em> </em>universe is getting a little bit bigger. </p>
<p id=”par-2_19″>On Friday, Hallmark announced that a prequel to the long-running series will debut exclusively on Hallmark+ in March 2026. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-when-calls-the-heart-prequel-series-stars-bethany-joy-lenz-benjamin-ayres”>‘When Calls the Heart’ prequel series stars Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres </h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Hope-Valley-1874.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”side by side portraits of Benjamin Ayres, Bethany Joy Lenz, and Jill Hennessy” class=”wp-image-3857359″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>[L-R] Benjamin Ayres, Bethany Joy Lenz, Jill Hennessy | Hallmark Media</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-3_35″><em>Hope Valley: 1874 </em>stars <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/one-tree-hill-what-ever-happened-bethany-joy-lenz.html/”>Bethany Joy Lenz</a>, Benjamin Ayres, and Jill Hennessy. The eight-episode series explores the early days of the settlement that eventually becomes Hope Valley. Production begins next week in Vancouver, British Columbia.</p>
<p id=”par-4_39″>Lenz will play Rebecca Clarke, a single mom who travels from Chicago to the Western Canadian frontier with her 11-year-old-daughter. When her wagon breaks down, she must accept help from guarded local rancher and confirmed bachelor, Tom Moore (Ayres). </p>
<p id=”par-5_37″>Rebecca fully intends to remain unattached. But the future she dreams of for her and her daughter along with the people she meets in this fledgling town compel her to put down roots and make a fresh start.</p>
<p id=”par-6_64″>In addition to Lenz and Ayres, <em>Hope Valley: 1874 </em>will feature Hennessy as tenacious pioneer woman Hattie Quinn. Roan Curtis plays Hattie’s daughter, Olivia, and Lachlan Quarmby<strong> </strong>portrays Constable Alexander Vaughn, one of the first members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Viewers will also meet the adventurous ranchers, gold prospectors, and early pioneers who came together the town that eventually becomes Hope Valley.</p>
<p id=”par-7_82″>“<em>Hope Valley: 1874</em> gives us a wonderful opportunity to further explore the universe of <em>When Calls the Heart</em> 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,” said Hallmark Media’s head of programming Michelle Vicary. “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.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-hope-valley-1874-is-the-second-when-calls-the-heart-spinoff”>‘Hope Valley: 1874’ is the second ‘When Calls the Heart’ spinoff</h2>
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<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”Preview – When Calls the Heart Season 13 – Season Premiere Sunday January 4″ width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/vYWa7jkrR7Y?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p id=”par-8_50″><em>Hope Valley: 1874 </em>is the second <em>When Calls the Heart </em>spinoff. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/when-hope-calls-great-american-family-details-season-2.html/”><em>When Hope Calls</em></a><em>, </em>which followed a pair of sisters who ran an orphanage in the nearby town of Brookfield, premiered in 2019 on Hallmark Movies Now before moving to Great American Family. Season 3 will air sometime in 2026. </p>
<p id=”par-9_62″><em>When Calls the Heart </em>Season 13 premieres Sunday, January 4 on Hallmark Channel, with episodes streaming the next day on Hallmark+. The show has been renewed for a 14th season, with former star <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/lori-loughlin-return-hallmark-channel-when-calls-the-heart-season-14.html/”>Lori Loughlin set to return</a> as Abigail Stanton. The show premiered on Hallmark Channel in 2014 and is inspired by a series of best-selling inspirational novels by Janette Oke. </p>
<p id=”par-10_11″><em>For more news and exclusive interviews, follow </em><a href=”https://www.instagram.com/showbizcheatsheet/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”><em>Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram</em></a><em>.</em></p>