‘When Calls the Heart’ Season 12: What We Know So Far
When Calls the Heart Season 11 might be over, but Hearties won’t have to say goodbye to Hope Valley forever. Here’s what we know about the return of the fan-favorite period drama, including when new episodes will air on Hallmark and what might be in store for the future.
Has ‘When Calls the Heart’ been renewed for season 12?
Yes! In May 2024, Hallmark announced that it had renewed When Calls the Heart for season 12.
“I am overjoyed that When Calls the Heart is coming back for a 12th season,” series star and executive producer Erin Krakow told Variety. “Our fantastic writers, cast, and crew couldn’t be more excited to begin filming this next season! We are proud to tell stories that warm hearts in homes around the world and so grateful to Hallmark for being such champions of that positivity.”
When will ‘When Calls the Heart’ return to Hallmark?
Hallmark has not announced a premiere date for the next season of When Calls the Heart. However, it has confirmed that the new season will air sometime in 2025.
“From our hearts to yours, thank you so much for tuning in, and we can’t wait to see you back in Hope Valley,” Krakow said in a teaser that aired during the season 11 finale.
How many episodes will ‘When Calls the Heart’ Season 12 have? Will there be a Christmas special?
When Calls the Heart Season 12 will have 12 episodes, according to TVLine. That’s in line with the episode count from recent seasons. Production begins in July.
Hallmark has not revealed if a When Calls the Heart Christmas special will air as part of this year’s Countdown to Christmas. But it doesn’t seem likely. A holiday episode last aired in 2019. Executive producer Brian Bird has said the decision to expand seasons from 10 to 12 episodes meant forgoing the Christmas special.
“When we do 12 episodes of the show, they’re very much continuing, serialized drama, serialized storytelling that all connect to each other,” he told Heart to Hearties in 2023 (via YouTube). Holiday specials are “disconnected from the chronology of what’s been happening in Hope Valley.” That makes it challenging to develop a storyline that works for the show. Plus, from Hallmark’s standpoint, it’s preferable to have standalone movies that they can re-air anytime, rather than a holiday episode that fits into a larger story, Bird said.
Will Jack (Daniel Lissing) return in season 12?
When Calls the Heart Season 11 ended on an unresolved note, with Elizabeth (Krakow) on the verge of receiving some news about her late husband Jack from superintendent Hargraves (David Lewis).
Jack, a mountie played by Daniel Lissing, was killed in an off-screen training accident in season 5. Even though Elizabeth is in a new relationship with Nathan (Kevin McGarry), the mention of Jack sparked speculation that Lissing could be returning to the show. However, showrunner Lindsay Sturman said that viewers should expect a resurrected Jack in season 12.
“Jack is not coming back,” she told TV Guide. The mention of Elizabeth’s former husband “was a way to complicate [Elizabeth and Nathan’s] new situation,” she added.
Sturman also teased what to expect from Nathan and Elizabeth’s growing relationship next season.
“Season 12 will bring all sorts of firsts for Elizabeth and Nathan as they navigate their relationship,” she said. “They’ve known each other for such a long time so they are only growing stronger as they face challenges now as a unit. We’re excited to really savor the little moments of their relationship, as they grow closer, and navigate those early days of finding love — especially as we know so many fans have been waiting so long to see them together.”
Season 12 will also see Governor Lucas Bouchard (Chris McNally) “step into bigger shoes and growing into being a leader,” Sturman said. He may also open his heart again following his season 10 breakup with Elizabeth.
“Let’s just say, love may be in Lucas’ future,” she teased.
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