‘When Hope Calls’ Season 1: Everything You Need to Remember Before Watching Season 2
Season 2 of When Calls the Heart spinoff When Hope Calls premieres Saturday, Dec. 18 with a two-part Christmas special on GAC Family. In When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas, the residents of Brookfield compete for the title of No. 1 Country Christmas Town while also welcoming some special visitors for the holiday.
The first season of When Hope Calls debuted in 2019 on Hallmark Movies Now and aired in early 2020 on Hallmark Channel. Given that it’s been two years since we last checked in with the folks in Brookfield, here’s a refresher on where we left things at the end of the first season.
Lillian and Gabriel weren’t on the best of terms at the end of ‘When Hope Calls’ Season 1
Both Morgan Kohan and RJ Hatanaka will return for When Hope Calls Season 2. Throughout the show’s first 10 episodes, there were hints of a potential romance between orphanage owner Lillian and Mountie Gabriel. But Sam (Marshall Williams) also had eyes for Lillian, and it wasn’t clear which man she preferred.
In the season 1 finale, Gabriel enlisted Sam to protect Lillian from shady banker Mike Sinclair (Curtis Caravaggio). But Lillian didn’t appreciate his interference, and she ended the season on poor terms with both men.
Hatanaka has teased a romantic storyline for Gabriel and Lillian in season 2. But will Sam still be a factor? He might be. Williams has been promoting the new season on Instagram and his name is included as part of the season 2 cast on IMDb.
Grace left Brookfield for London
While Lillian and Gabriel will be back for When Hope Calls Season 2, two other prominent characters won’t return. Neither Grace (Jocelyn Hudon) nor Chuck (Greg Hovanessian) will appear next season.
Based on what happened in the season 1 finale, the show shouldn’t have too hard of a time explaining their absence. Grace, who is Lillian’s sister, left Brookfield to escort an orphan named Helen to London, where she’d reunite with her family. In earlier episodes, we’d learned that Grace longed to see the world. It seems likely that she will have decided to do just that on her trip to the U.K. That leaves her sister – who always had deeper ties to Brookfield – to run the New Hope Orphanage.
As for Chuck, he was also feeling restless at the end of season 1. Plus, there was some tension between his desire to pursue a career as a vet and his mother Tess Stewart’s (Wendy Crewson) hope that he’d take over the family ranch. In season 2, he’s left town to follow his heart, Crewson has revealed. That makes sense, given the sweet kiss he and Grace shared just before she boarded the stagecoach.
“Chuck is not here. He’s left to chase his love,” Crewson said in the When Hope Calls: Hearties Christmas Present special, which aired on GAC Family on Dec. 11.
Gabriel took down Mike Sinclair
The When Hope Calls Season 1 finale featured some tense moments as Gabriel and Nathan Grant (Kevin McGarry) worked together to take down Sinclair. Nathan – who was visiting from Hope Valley – thought Gabriel’s plan was reckless. Still, the pair managed to nab the criminal as he attempted to make a getaway on the streets of Brookfield.
Sinclair’s capture means hotel owner Ronnie Stewart (Neil Crone) can breathe a little easier now that the criminal who loaned him money to start his business is behind bars. We’ll get to see how he moves on, as Crone is set to appear in season 2.
Also set to return as Hanneke Talbot as nurse Maggie Parsons and Jefferson Brown as store owner Joe Moody. The two had a bit of flirtation in season 1. It’s possible we’ll see that develop into something more in season 2.
Finally, Crewson will be reprising her role as Tess. There’s a history of animosity between her and Lillian’s families dating back to a tragic accident that took the life of Tess’s husband. The formidable ranch owner blamed Lillian’s adoptive father for his death. But in season 1, Lillian uncovered evidence that he wasn’t at fault. So far, she’s been keeping that information mostly to herself. But it will be interesting to see if her frosty relationship with Tess continues in season 2.
When Hope Calls Season 2 premieres Saturday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on GAC Family.
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