‘Hope Valley: 1874’ Trailer Teases Bethany Joy Lenz in ‘When Calls the Heart’ Spinoff

Dan Clarendon February 1, 2026, 10:28 am

What To Know

Hallmark+ has released a trailer for Hope Valley: 1874, a prequel series to When Calls the Heart, starring Bethany Joy Lenz as Rebecca Clarke and following her journey with her daughter to the Canadian frontier.
The series introduces new characters, including a guarded rancher, a tenacious pioneer woman, and one of the first Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as Rebecca and her daughter settle in the fledgling town that becomes Hope Valley.
Hope Valley: 1874 premieres March 21 on Hallmark+ and will explore the origins of the close-knit community, focusing on themes of hope, resilience, and new beginnings.

When calls the prequel! Hallmark+ is putting the finishing touches on Hope Valley: 1874, a prequel series to Hallmark Channel hit When Calls the Heart, and fans got a first look at Season 1.

In a new trailer, viewers met Rebecca Clarke, played by One Tree Hill alum Bethany Joy Lenz, as she and her 11-year-old daughter, Olivia, played by Firefly Lane’s Roan Curtis, ventured from big-town Chicago to the rugged Western Canadian frontier.

As the journey turned perilous, the mother-and-daughter duo met the guarded local rancher Tom Moore, played by Saving Hope’s Benjamin Ayres. “Grit alone isn’t going to save you on the frontier,” he told them.

And soon, the traveling parties arrived at the community that would become Hope Valley, née Coal Valley, the setting of When Calls the Heart.

Bethany Joy Lenz as Rebecca Clarke in 'Hope Valley: 1874'

Hallmark+

A Hallmark news release offered a synopsis of Hope Valley: 1874: “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 … ultimately compel her to put down roots and make a fresh start.”

The trailer also gave glimpses of Jill Hennessy (Crossing Jordan) as Hattie Quinn, a tenacious pioneer woman, and Lachlan Quarmby (Providence Falls) as Constable Alexander Vaughn, one of the first members of the newly created Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

And sparks flew between Rebecca and Tom. “I’m looking to build something that lasts,” Tom says in the trailer.

“So am I,” Rebecca responds.

Hallmark+ explained in the previous press release that Hope Valley: 1874 — which debuts new episodes on Thursdays after its series premiere — will “feature the adventurous ranchers, gold prospectors, and early pioneers who worked together to navigate and embrace the changes of a new era and ultimately build a small, close-knit community in the rugged and hopeful pioneer era.”

Added Hallmark Media programming head 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.”

Hope Valley: 1874, Series Premiere, Saturday, March 21, Hallmark+