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Hallmark Announces 'When Calls the Heart' Prequel Series 'Hope Valley: 1874'
The new show will premiere on Hallmark+ on March 21, 2026 and stars Bethany Joy Lenz and Benjamin Ayres.
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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Hallmark has announced a new prequel series to its hit drama "When Calls the Heart" titled "Hope Valley: 1874". The series will follow the lives of those living in Coal Valley, the original name of Hope Valley, over 50 years before the events of the current show. Hallmark surprised fans with a first look trailer for the new series, which is set to premiere on the Hallmark+ streaming service on March 21, 2026.
Why it matters
The "When Calls the Heart" franchise has a dedicated fanbase known as "Hearties" who have followed the show since it premiered in 2014. The announcement of a prequel series set in the same universe is exciting news for these loyal viewers, who will get to explore the origins of the beloved town of Hope Valley.
The details
"Hope Valley: 1874" will star Bethany Joy Lenz and Benjamin Ayres and follow the story of Rebecca Clarke and her daughter Olivia as they move from Chicago to the Western frontier. The series is being billed as a rich origin story filled with the heart, community, and hope that "When Calls the Heart" fans have come to expect.
- Hallmark announced the new prequel series in December 2025.
- The network shared the first look trailer for "Hope Valley: 1874" on January 31, 2026.
- The new series will premiere on Saturday, March 21, 2026, exclusively on the Hallmark+ streaming service.
The players
Bethany Joy Lenz
An American actress who will star as Rebecca Clarke in the new "Hope Valley: 1874" prequel series.
Benjamin Ayres
A Canadian actor who will also star in "Hope Valley: 1874".
Roan Curtis
An actress who will play Olivia, the daughter of Bethany Joy Lenz's character Rebecca Clarke, in the new prequel series.
Michelle Vicary
The head of programming at Hallmark Media, who expressed excitement about the new "Hope Valley: 1874" series and its potential to engage the loyal "Hearties" fanbase.
What they’re saying
“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.”
— Michelle Vicary, Hallmark Media programming head (TV Insider)
What’s next
Hallmark has not announced any additional details about the production or cast of "Hope Valley: 1874" beyond what was revealed in the initial announcement and trailer. Fans will have to wait until the series premieres on Hallmark+ on March 21, 2026 to see what other surprises are in store.
The takeaway
The announcement of a "When Calls the Heart" prequel series is an exciting development for the show's dedicated fanbase, known as the "Hearties". The new series, "Hope Valley: 1874", promises to explore the origins of the beloved town and characters in a way that will likely delight longtime viewers and potentially attract new fans to the franchise.
