When Calls the Heart Season 13 Release Date and Cast Revealed
Hope Valley fans, get ready! Our favorite frontier town is buzzing again as When Calls the Heart gears up for its much-anticipated Season 13.
After that wild Season 12 finale—seriously, who saw that coming?—Hallmark has officially confirmed the beloved series will return in 2026. Expect familiar faces, new storylines, and some surprise guest stars bound to get the *Hearties* talking.
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Elizabeth Thornton’s emotional journey continues, and there are fresh romances on the horizon. Plus, those long-awaited reunions? They might just deliver the drama and warmth fans crave.
Here’s what’s out there so far about the upcoming season—filming news, cast updates, and a few hints about what’s next in Hope Valley.
Table of Contents
The Return to Hope Valley: What Fans Can Expect
Season 12 left us hanging, with Elizabeth Thornton (Erin Krakow) at a crossroads.
After Little Jack’s diabetes diagnosis and the decision to leave Hope Valley for better care in Cape Fullerton, everyone’s been wondering what’s next for the Thorntons. Now that Season 13 is on the way, Hallmark’s clearly not finished with Elizabeth’s story.
The network promises more of what makes the show tick—community, love stories, and that small-town resilience that’s turned When Calls the Heart into a phenomenon.
Filming for Season 13 kicked off July 1, and the cast and crew have been sharing glimpses from the picturesque set.
Fans swarmed social media when the show’s official accounts posted a scenic video of the pond near the Jack Thornton schoolhouse. By late October, Pascale Hutton hinted that filming was wrapping up, so the new season is nearly in the can.
The anticipation is real. The countdown to 2026 is officially on.
Hallmark’s 2026 Premiere Plans
There’s no exact release date yet, but Hallmark says Season 13 will premiere sometime in 2026.
Episodes will air Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel, and you’ll be able to stream them on Hallmark+, the network’s streaming platform that launched in 2024.
Subscribers can start with a free trial and then pick a monthly or yearly plan. So, catching up with Hope Valley is easier than ever—wherever you are.
The Cast: Familiar Faces and Exciting Returns
The ensemble cast is back in a big way. Erin Krakow returns as Elizabeth Thornton, with Kevin McGarry as Nathan Grant, Pascale Hutton as Rosemary, and Kavan Smith as Lee.
Jack Wagner, Martin Cummins, Chris McNally, Ben Rosenbaum, Andrea Brooks, and Viv Leacock are all returning too. The heart of Hope Valley is definitely still beating.
But wait—two big names are coming back, and longtime fans are in for a treat.
Brooke Shields is stepping back into her role as Charlotte Thornton, Elizabeth’s mother, for the first time since Season 3. She shared her excitement on social media, posting a shot in costume and beaming about her return.
And Melissa Gilbert, who appeared as Georgie McGill in Season 12, says she’ll be back for more episodes. With these two joining the lineup, get ready for some heartfelt reunions and new storylines that tie the past to the present.
Full Returning Cast List
Here’s who’s confirmed to return for Season 13:
- Erin Krakow as Elizabeth Thornton
- Kevin McGarry as Nathan Grant
- Pascale Hutton as Rosemary Coulter
- Kavan Smith as Lee Coulter
- Jack Wagner as Bill Avery
- Martin Cummins as Henry Gowen
- Chris McNally as Lucas Bouchard
- Ben Rosenbaum as Mike Hickam
- Andrea Brooks as Faith Carter
- Viv Leacock as Joseph Canfield
- Natasha Burnett as Minnie Canfield
- Hrothgar Mathews as Ned Yost
- Loretta Walsh as Florence Blakeley Yost
- Johannah Newmarch as Molly Sullivan
- Hyland Goodrich as Little Jack Thornton Jr.
- Ellie Sweiss as Marigold “Goldie” Coulter
Behind the Scenes: The Energy on Set
From day one, the energy on set has been hard to miss. Cast and crew have been all over social media, sharing costume snaps, set selfies, and that familiar Hope Valley charm.
Erin Krakow broke the renewal news back in March 2025 with an Instagram video, looking genuinely thrilled to return for more stories. That announcement dropped right before the Season 12 finale, and fans immediately started speculating about what might be next.
Costume designer Barbara Gregusova has also been teasing fans with behind-the-scenes photos. Some eagle-eyed viewers think they spotted a wedding dress in the mix—could romance be front and center again?
Maybe Elizabeth and Nathan are finally headed down the aisle, though Hallmark hasn’t confirmed a thing. Still, the clues are hard to ignore.
Fan Reactions and Theories
The *Hearties* community is as passionate as ever. Their reaction to Season 13’s news? Pure joy, disbelief, and a lot of gratitude.
Fans are already tossing around theories—possible weddings, surprise returns, and new adventures. The buzz is infectious, and honestly, it’s kind of amazing how this show keeps such a special place in people’s hearts.
What’s Next for Elizabeth and Nathan?
Elizabeth Thornton’s story is still the heart of the series—her resilience, faith, and everything she’s juggling as a mom and teacher. Season 12 ended on a hopeful note for her and Nathan, but Little Jack’s health added a tough twist.
Season 13 will see Elizabeth trying to balance it all. Will she and Nathan finally get their happy ending in Hope Valley?
The rest of the town isn’t standing still either. Rosemary and Lee’s family life is bound to take some new turns. Bill Avery and Henry Gowen might face fresh challenges, and who knows—newcomers could shake things up in ways no one expects.
How to Watch and Stream Season 13
When When Calls the Heart Season 13 drops, you can catch it live on Hallmark Channel or stream it on Hallmark+.
That streaming platform, launched in 2024, makes it super easy to binge every season or just jump into the new episodes. Subscription options start at $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year, so you can relive every Hope Valley moment—old and new—on your own schedule.
The Legacy of Hope Valley Continues
As *When Calls the Heart* gears up for its thirteenth season, you can really feel the anticipation. The show’s managed to change with the times but still holds tight to what made it special in the first place.
It’s those honest stories, the moral backbone, and characters that feel like old friends. Somehow, it keeps reminding us that love and kindness just don’t go out of style.
Filming’s done, and the wait is on. Fans everywhere are buzzing, ready for more laughter, a few tears, and that familiar Hope Valley warmth.
So, mark your calendars, *Hearties*. 2026 is looking like a year for love, faith, and maybe a few surprises—Hope Valley’s waiting with open arms.
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