Hearties Predict a Spinoff Around [Spoiler] as When Calls the Heart Creator Confirms a New Series Is in the Works
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So far, there’s only been one short-lived spinoff of Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart, but could a second one be in the works? Keep reading to see if When Calls the Heart is getting another spinoff following the cancellation of When Hope Calls.
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Is When Calls the Heart getting another spinoff?
When Calls the Heart‘s only spinoff, When Hope Calls, was released in 2019 on Hallmark Movies Now, the network’s digital streaming service. It centered on Lillian Walsh (Morgan Kohan) and Grace Bennett (Jocelyn Hudon), two orphaned sisters who were originally introduced in When Calls the Heart: The Greatest Christmas Blessing. The sisters were separated when they were children, but they reunited as adults to open an orphanage in the fictional town of Brookfield. The series was picked up by rival company Great American Family for a second season, but it was cancelled shortly after.
More: The most shocking exits from When Calls the Heart over the years
In June 2024, When Calls the Heart co-creators Brian Bird and Michael Landon Jr. revealed that they have a new series in the works, and fans are wondering if it’s another spinoff.
“Friends, family and especially you #Hearties… a small promo for a very BIG ANNOUNCEMENT coming next Wednesday, July 3, at 3 pm PST on the Edify Show. A SNEAK PEEK of Michael Landon Jr. and my new television show, HOME TO HARMONY,” Bird wrote on Facebook.
Unfortunately for Hearties, the new series, titled Home to Harmony, is set in an entirely new universe and is unrelated to When Calls the Heart. Not much is known about the show as it is still in the development stage and hasn’t officially been picked up by Hallmark, but we do know that it is based on the book series of the same name by Philip Gulley. The novels follow minister Sam Gardner as he returns to his Indiana hometown following the death of his wife.
The official synopsis for the book series reads: “In the fictional small town of Harmony, Indiana, Sam Gardner becomes the pastor of his hometown church, Harmony Friends Meeting … Sam describes in a warm, down-home style the moving and humorous adventures he encounters his first year home to Harmony.”
Bird and Landon also released a first look of the show on June 29, which featured Sam’s arrival back in Harmony and a tough conversation between him and his daughter about his decision to relocate the family. The full cast hasn’t officially been announced, but actor Trent Garrett is set to play Sam. Garrett’s credits include ABC’s Not Dead Yet, NBC’s Magnum P.I., Amazon Prime Video’s Carnival Row and FOX’s New Girl.
It’s unclear if the show will air on Hallmark, but as of right now, Bird and Landon are working to bring Home to Harmony to audiences through Angel Studios, the independent media company and film distribution studio behind the critically acclaimed film Sound of Freedom.
Although the new series is not a period piece and will be very different than When Calls the Heart or When Hope Calls, fans are looking forward to it. “I am so excited for this new project!!!!! Looks wonderful!!!” one fan commented on Bird’s post. “Wonderful. Looking forward to seeing it on TV,” another fan wrote.
Fans are also not giving up hope on another When Calls the Heart spinoff just yet. In fact, several viewers already have some ideas for what the show could be about. “Lucas takes Henry, Lee, and Rosemary to Capital City. The three men work on expanding the national parks idea and restoring Lucas’s image. Rosemary gets a job at a big time newspaper and works her way to the top. Bill can make occasional appearances or even move/transfer to Capital City as well,” one fan wrote in Reddit thread, adding that the show could be called The Heart of Capital City.
In the Season 11 finale, Lucas revealed that he was relocating to Capital City to focus on his governorship. He also asked Lee, who had just pitched the idea of building a national park instead of a resort, to come with him. The episode ended before we could learn if Lucas and Lee are leaving Hope Valley for good, but as a second fan pointed out, this spin-off idea would be a great way to “advance” the characters’ stories. “I love this! ??,” another fan wrote, adding of Abigail Stanton: “Then maybe they see Abigail! Then, romance storyline between Henry and Abigail starts again and becomes the show’s main romance storyline.” A third fan noted that Fiona Miller would be a good addition: “I’d leave Lee and Rosemary (even though I love their characters) and take Fiona if the actress’ schedule worked out. She’d be great in politics and nice match for Lucas.”
More: Meet the When Calls the Heart cast’s real-life partners
When Calls the Heart is available to stream on Peacock.
Watch When Calls the Heart on Peacock
For more on When Calls the Heart, check out what alums of the show are up to today.
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