Once a year, a fortunate few are granted the opportunity to step into Hope Valley, a quaint town from the early 20th century nestled on the Canadian frontier, boasting a church, a school, and a generous spirit.
For most, the only glimpse they get of this idyllic locale is through their television screens. Hope Valley serves as the backdrop for the Hallmark Channel's "When Calls the Heart," a series that prides itself on being a throwback of sorts.
"There's a real demand for heartwarming entertainment, stories centered around community, family, and love," explains Erin Krakow, the show's lead actress. "It harks back to a simpler time, something that resonates deeply with all of us."
Krakow portrays a schoolteacher who, ten seasons ago, arrived in a town still reeling from a mining disaster. Initially known as Coal Valley, the town underwent a transformation alongside her, navigating life's twists and turns, witnessing love found and lost, and evolving into a tight-knit family.
As the viewership grew, so did the sense of community around the show. Despite being the face of the series, Krakow sees herself as just one part of its heart.
"I am just one piece of the show's heart because we are ultimately a show about community," Krakow reflects. I think that without everyone in this community, we wouldn't have Hope Valley, we wouldn't have 'When Calls the Heart.'
Members of the "When Calls the Heart" community affectionately refer to themselves as Hearties, numbering around 2 million. Individuals like Pat Conlee and Celia Sumrall, who formed a friendship through the show, organize online and in-person gatherings.
"It really helped me," Sumrall shares. "I wasn't sure what I would do after retiring from teaching for so many years. What was my purpose going to be? What was I going to do?"
Joining the Hearties provided Sumrall with an opportunity to connect with new people, a fact that moves her deeply.
"I love the show because of its faith, the family atmosphere, and the way the community comes together," she explains. "Our world is currently very divided, and that's challenging. Hope Valley shows how to work through that, how to talk to each other, and how to overcome it."
When a beloved character, Rosemary, struggled to have a baby while grieving for her own mother, Conlee found parallels with her own life.
"That was my experience, so it deeply affected me," Conlee acknowledges. "It helps you realize that other people have these situations in life that affect you for life sometimes, but that you can get over them and make it through."
The series is based on the writings of Janette Oke, who grew up on the western plains of Canada. Her Christian romances have sold over 30 million books.
Oke is surprised by the global reach of the Hearties, noting that they come from diverse cultures and regions yet still understand each other.
"We come from different cultures and different areas of the world, and yet, we have that common human need to understand, work together, and feel accepted," she observes. "That sense of acceptance is profound."
The Hearties support one another in various ways, both big and small. When Hurricane Maria devastated Jelsy Freytes' community in Puerto Rico, Hearties from around the world rallied to help.
"They came together, created a website to coordinate relief efforts, and started sending me things I needed like canned food, batteries," Freytes recounts. "I have never experienced anything like this, this outpouring of love."
While "When Calls the Heart" may be fictional, Oke insists that the impact of the show is very real.
"In various parts of our world, including our bustling cities, there are moments when you may not feel accepted or have a sense of belonging, leaving a void in your heart that needs to be filled," she reflects. "I believe that's why this show has touched so many hearts, because we need that. We need to be part of a group. We were made to belong to one another, to support one another."
paul giamatti
charles melton
when calls the heart
daniel lissing
erin cahill
paul giamatti wife
hope valley
when the heart calls
ben rosenbaum
hope valley show