When Calls the Heartseason 12 is on its way and there has been a lot of news about guest stars, cast members, a rough release schedule, and more. TheHallmark Channel does not only make movies, but the cable channel has produced and/or aired a few TV shows over its time. One of their more popular offerings is the Western drama series,When Calls the Heart, based on theCanadian West seriesby novelist Janette Oke. The series first premiered in January 2014 and the 11th season wrapped up in June 2024.
The show stars Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a teacher from high society who is assigned to a small coal-mining town in Western Canada. At first frustrated with the slow pace of life, Elizabeth comes to love the simple town and realizes that there are more challenges there than she ever would have expected.When Calls the Heartalso starred and was produced by Lori Loughlin, and the show nearly ended after hercollege admissions scandal in 2019, but it survived. Now,When Calls the Heartseason 12 is on its wayand much has been announced about the new season.
When Calls The Heart Season 12 Latest News
Melissa Gilbert Is Set To Guest Star
On August 23, 2025, Hallmark made the exciting announcement that Melissa Gilbert, who famously played Laura Ingalls Wilder onLittle House on the Prairie, would be a guest star inWhen Calls the Heartseason 12 (viaTVLine). Gilbert reportedly received the opportunity after connecting with an EP forWhen Calls the Heart, Michael Landon Jr., the son ofLittle Housestar, Michael Landon. It’s unclear who Gilbert will play or if this appearance will connect the two show universes. Krakow and Gilbert shared a photo of themselves onInstagramin celebration of the news.
When Calls The Heart Season 12 Is Confirmed
Season 12 Will Arrive In 2025
When Calls the Heartseason 12 was confirmed in May 2024while season 11 was still running (viaET). In the release, Executive Vice President of Programming Lisa Hamilton Daly said,
“When Calls the Heart continues to exceed our expectations and the number of fans and viewers continue to grow every year.”
While no release date has been announced yet, the official Hallmark Channel website says that the new season is coming in 2025 (viaHallmarkChannel).
When Calls The Heart Season 12 Cast
The Main Cast Should Be Returning
Thereturning cast forWhen Calls the Heartseason 12 includes Kevin McGarry as Nathan Grant and Erin Krakow as Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton as they appear on the season 12 announcement video on the Hallmark website. Ben Rosenbaum (Mike Hickam) posted on hisInstagramthat he was excited forWhen Calls the Heartseason 12 and Melissa Gilbert has been officially announced to appear.
Other possible returning characters based on the end of season 11 include Pascale Hutton as Rosemary Coulter, Kavan Smith as Lee Coulter, Jack Wagner as Bill Avery, Martin Cummins as Henry Gowen, Chris McNally as Lucas Bouchard, Ben Rosenbaum as Mike Hickam, Amanda, Wong as Mei Sou, Andrea Brooks as Faith Carter, Viv Leacock as Joseph Canfield, Natasha Burnett as Minnie Canfield, Hrothgar Mathews as Ned Yost, Loretta Walsh as Florence Blakeley Yost, and Johannah Newmarch as Molly Sullivan.
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Nathan And Elizabeth’s Relationship Will Be Explored
The official announcement forWhen Calls the Heartcame with the description,
“With more stories to tell in Hope Valley, season 12 will continue with themes about family, community, and of course romance as we move further into the 1920s.”
Likely, there will be more of the same for fans of the story. The end ofWhen Calls the Heartseason 11 also hints at what could be next for the show. Elizabeth and Nathan finally shared their first kiss in the penultimate episode of season 11. Their blossoming romance will likely be at the center ofWhen Calls the Heartseason 12, and all the joys and pitfalls of a new romance will be illustrated at length.
When Calls the Heart
Cast
When Calls the Heart follows Elizabeth Thatcher, a young teacher from a privileged Eastern family, who relocates to a small coal mining town in the West to pursue her teaching career. Released in 2014, the series explores her adaptation to the challenges and community life of frontier society.
