Hope Valley: 1874 – First-Look – Coming to Hallmark+ March 21!

Hallmark has just released a new promo for "Hope Valley: 1874," the new prequel series to “When Calls the Heart,” starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres and Jill Hennessy! I also spotted the well-known actor Neal McDonough in the new preview.

The new series will begin streaming - March 21st exclusively on Hallmark+.

See the new promo and more details on the series from the Hallmark press release below. Plus, see my thoughts at the end of this post…


Hope Valley: 1874 - Promo:

THE DAWN OF A NEW FRONTIER

HALLMARK’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED

PREQUEL SERIES

TO WHEN CALLS THE HEART

HOPE VALLEY: 1874

PREMIERES SATURDAY, MARCH 21

EXCLUSIVELY ON HALLMARK+

New Episode Available to Stream Every Thursday Beginning March 26
Starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Benjamin Ayres and Jill Hennessy

BURBANK, CA – January 30, 2026 – Hallmark announced today that Hope Valley: 1874, the new prequel series to the beloved When Calls the Heart, will premiere Saturday, March 21, exclusively on Hallmark+, with a new episode premiering every Thursday beginning March 26. The network also unveiled a first look at the trailer for the eight-episode series, giving fans an exciting glimpse into the origins of the community that would one day become Hope Valley.

As previously announced, the series stars Bethany Joy Lenz (A Biltmore Christmas), Benjamin Ayres (The Santa Class), Jill Hennessy (City on a Hill), Roan Curtis (Firefly Lane) and Lachlan Quarmby (Providence Falls). Joining the ensemble are Jedidiah Goodacre (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as Clayton Cooley, a ruggedly handsome blacksmith, Chelsea Hobbs (Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane) as Peggy McCabe, the wife of Tom’s (Ayres) foreman Nash as portrayed by Brad Abramenko (A Splash of Love).

Set in 1874, the series explores the earliest days of the frontier settlement that later became Hope Valley, chronicling the courage, resilience and relationships that laid the foundation for the close-knit town viewers have come to love. Lenz portrays Rebecca Clarke, who travels from her home city of Chicago to the Western Canadian frontier with her 11-year-old-daughter Sarah (Mila Morgan, The Holiday Sitter). But when her wagon breaks down, and she realizes the boardinghouse is not as advertised, Rebecca has no choice but to accept help from local rancher and confirmed bachelor, Tom Moore (Ayres). Despite her best intentions to remain unattached, Bella can't help but slowly fall for Tom and develop a friendship with tenacious pioneer woman Hattie Quinn (Hennessy). Hattie’s daughter Olivia (Curtis) helps run their trading post and catches the eye of Constable Alexander Vaughn (Quarmby), much to the dismay of Clayton (Goodacre), who harbors feelings for her.

Showcasing themes of perseverance and romance, this series explores the journey of a mother as she discovers a new chapter in her life as she helps forge what starts out as collection of isolated settlers into a small close-knit community during the rugged and hopeful Pioneer Era. This prequel to Hallmark’s historical drama series, When Calls the Heart, will take viewers back in time to follow the early settlers of the community that will one day become the beloved frontier town of Hope Valley.

Hope Valley: 1874 is from All Canadian Entertainment production company. Executive producers of the series include Brad Krevoy, Brian Bird, Michael Landon Jr., Amy Hartwick, Olivia Krevoy, Vicki Sotheran, Greg Malcolm, Alfonso Moreno and Susie Belzberg. Mike Rohl and Elizabeth Stewart are co-executive producers, and Jennifer Siddle and Melody Fox serve as consulting producers.

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My Quick Take:

I’m absolutely loving this beautiful first look at Hope Valley: 1874. It truly captures the spirit of the pioneer era and truly feels like a step back in time. With When Calls the Heart now set in the 1920s and moving further away from the early American frontier, it’s especially heartwarming to see a new series that takes us back to those humble, hardworking pioneer days.

This glimpse of Hope Valley: 1874 is already giving me the same comforting, nostalgic feeling as classic shows like Little House on the Prairie, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Christy, Little Men, When Hope Calls, and of course, the early seasons of When Calls the Heart, along with Hallmark's Love Comes Softly films. There’s something so special about stories set in a simpler time, filled with resilience, faith, community, and hope.

Based on the promo, which highlights a close-knit community and everyday struggles of frontier life, I have a feeling this new series coming to Hallmark+ this spring will become another deeply beloved period drama.

I’d love to know what you think, too. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Blessings to you all,

Net