We Finally Know When the 'When Calls the Heart' Spinoff Is Coming to Hallmark
Beloved Hallmark series When Calls the Heart just finished its sixth season and has another on the way.
The network recently announced that, following the show's success, a spinoff will launch in the next few months.
The cast members have already been briefly introduced during When Calls the Heart: The Greatest Christmas Blessing.
Hearties, we come bearing excellent news. Although When calls the Heart has wrapped up season six (don’t worry, it’s coming back for season 7), Hallmark is still giving us a dose of Hope Valley-inspired TV to hold us over. That’s right—Hallmark has officially announced a WCTH spinoff called, When Hope Calls.
The network’s first-ever streaming series was inspired by the original period drama’s massive success. "When Hope Calls embodies the same heartfelt themes of community, family and faith that have resonated so strongly with When Calls the Heart fans over the past six years,” Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President of Programming and Network Publicity at Crown Media Family Networks, told Entertainment Tonight. “This is another series that viewers are sure to treasure.”
When Hope Calls has big shoes to fill, considering When Calls the Heart has officially taken over as the Hallmark Channel's most-watched primetime show ever. With that being said, though, we have a feeling the spinoff will rise to the occasion. Here's everything we know about the sister series so far, including its premiere date.
I can’t take it anymore! When does When Hope Calls premiere?
Mark your calendars for August 30. That’s when ET reports the highly anticipated debut will hit the streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now. Two episodes will run on that first day (!!!), and one will continue to air every Friday through October 25. Just in time for Countdown to Christmas!
What's the Spinoff About?
When Hope Calls occurs in the early 1900s, and will follow the lives of orphan siblings Lillian and Grace, who grow up apart but reunite later in adulthood. The sisters decide to open up their own orphanage in a quaint northwestern town named Brookfield, which is in the process of transitioning from the simple horse-and-buggy lifestyle to a more modern, technology-infused culture.
For the very first look at what's to come, Hallmark shared a When Hope Calls trailer. Prepare to become even more obsessed as you see some old and new characters in the fictional city.
Who Is Joining the Cast?
If you tuned in to the When Calls the Heart: The Greatest Christmas Blessing last year, you've already gotten a glimpse at the cast.
Lillian's and Grace's characters actually made their first appearances on the holiday special, and they're played by real-life actresses Morgan Kohan and Jocelyn Hudon, respectively. Grace was also re-introduced into the latter half of When Calls the Heart season six.
Which, speaking of, it looks like we might get a few brief cameos from some familiar faces in the town of Brookfield—Elizabeth (naturally), new Mountie Nathan Grant, and spouses Rosemary LeVeaux-Coulter and Lee Coulter.
R.J. Hatanaka, Greg Hovanessian, and Wendy Crewson will also appear as Gabriel, Chuck, and Tess, respectively. You’ll want to pay special attention to Gabriel and Chuck, as they might strike up romances with Lillian and Grace.
How Do I Watch When Hope Calls?
The inaugural streaming series will be featured on digital service Hallmark Movies Now, which debuted in October 2017.
Has When Calls the Heart Been Cancelled?
Of course not—Hope Valley must go on! Despite the show's unexpected mid season six hiatus to remove Lori Loughlin's character, Abigail Stanton, Erin Krakow did the honors of announcing When Calls the Heart's seventh season renewal a few months ago. We can probably attribute this to the show's ever-expanding popularity, and Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President of Programming and Network Publicity for Crown Media, explained that the future spinoff's goal is simply to create another equally enjoyable experience for WCTH fans.
"When Calls the Heart has developed a passionate community of loyal viewers and we wanted to serve their increased appetite by developing a spin-off series that we know will evolve into another beloved classic," she told Deadline. "When Hope Calls is a seamless fit to debut on our streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now, and speaks to our dedication to our loyal fans."
Guess that mean's we'll just be getting a double dose of our favorite Hope Valley friends. The more the merrier!
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