Is Lee (Kavan Smith) Leaving ‘When Calls the Heart’?
Hope Valley without Leland Coulter? It’s hard to imagine When Calls the Heart without local businessman and all-around stand-up guy Lee. The character, who has been played by Kavan Smith since season 2, is an integral part of the Hallmark Channel series. But some fans are worried that Smith could be leaving the heartwarming drama.
Lee teamed up with Lucas in the ‘When Calls the Heart’ Season 12 premiere
When Calls the Heart returned for its 12th season on Jan. 5. In the premiere, Lee struggled with whether to accept an intriguing offer from Governor Lucas Bouchard (Chris McNally).
Since his plans to build a resort in Hope Valley blew up in a major way at the end of season 11, Lucas has been attempting to regroup. Lee suggested they turn the resort land into a national park, and Lucas seized on the idea. In “The Mountie Way,” Lucas was full-steam ahead with the park plan. But he knew he couldn’t do it alone. He wanted Lee to come with him to the capital to help turn his park dream into reality. But Lee wasn’t sure that was a good idea. And his wife Rosemary (Pascale Hutton) was firmly against the scheme, since it would take him away from her and their young daughter, Goldie. Only after Lucas promised to name the park after their daughter did Lee and Rosemary relent, with Lee agreeing to temporarily split his time between Capital City and Hope Valley.
Kavan Smith teases his character’s season 12 storyline
Based on the season 12 premiere, it seems Lee will be spending some time away from Hope Valley in season 12. But so far, there’s no indication that he and Rosemary will be leaving town permanently. Neither Smith nor Hallmark have commented on his future with When Calls the Heart, but he is set to appear in future episodes. And from the sound of things, Lee has some pretty juicy stories on the horizon.
Recently, the When Calls the Heart Instagram account shared a video of Smith onstage at last month’s Hallmark Christmas Experience event in Kansas City. He teased what was in store for Lee and Lucas in season 12.
The pair’s friendship “gets tested a little bit,” Smith said. The actor admitted that he was looking forward to the conflict.
“When it was pitched to me … I loved the idea,” he shared. While When Calls the Heart has explored the ups and downs of some of the friendships between the female characters, the male friendships have been more even-keeled, Smith noted. But that’s about to change.
“We have some episodes coming up that are going to be really fun,” he said. “And a little tempestuous.”
When Calls the Heart airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Channel. Episodes stream the next day on Hallmark+.
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