When Calls the Heart Information

When Calls the Heart is an American television drama series inspired by Janette Oke's book When Calls the Heart from her Canadian West Series, and developed by Michael Landon, Jr. The series began airing on the Hallmark Channel on January 11, 2014.

The series originally debuted as a two-hour television movie pilot in October 2013, starring Maggie Grace as young teacher Elizabeth Thatcher and Stephen Amell as Royal Canadian Mountie Wynn Delaney. In the television series Erin Krakow is cast as her niece, whose name is also Elizabeth Thatcher, and Daniel Lissing plays a Royal Canadian Mountie named Jack Thornton, with Lori Loughlin reprising her role as coal mine widow Abigail Stanton. The series has been renewed for a second season.

Plot

When Calls the Heart tells the story of Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a young teacher accustomed to her high society life, who receives her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley, a small coal mining town where life is simple, but often fraught with challenges. Elizabeth charms most everyone in Coal Valley, except Constable Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing) who believes Thatcher"?s wealthy father has doomed the lawman's career by insisting he be assigned in town to protect the shipping magnate"?s daughter. Living in a 19th-century coal town, Elizabeth will have to learn the ways of the frontier if she wishes to thrive in the rural west on her own. Lori Loughlin plays Abigail Stanton, a wife and mother whose husband, the foreman of the mine, and her only son, along with a dozen other miners, have just been killed in an explosion, which turns out to be a tragic accident waiting to happen as a result of the mining company's site manager's irresponsible management and lack of duty of care. The newly widowed women find their faith is tested when they must go to work in the mines to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table and compile a wage for the town's teacher.

Production

The series, originally planned to be filmed in Colorado, United States of America, is filmed south of Vancouver, British Columbia, on a farm field surrounded by vineyards. The fictional frontier town 'Coal Valley' was erected in the fall of 2013. Some of the set pieces came from the Hell on Wheels set.

Filming of Season 1 wrapped on February 22, 2014. Another season has been approved. Filming for Season 2 commenced August 2014. It is expected to premiere on America's Hallmark Channel in March 2015.

Cast

• Erin Krakow as Elizabeth Thatcher
• Daniel Lissing as Jack Thornton
• Lori Loughlin as Abigail Stanton
• Chelah Horsdal as Cat Montgomery
• Mitchell Kummen as Gabe Montgomery
• Gracyn Shinyei as Emily Montgomery
• Martin Cummins as Henry Gowen

Characters

• Elizabeth Thatcher - Elizabeth is an independent, strong-minded, passionate and dedicated young teacher from the city. Elizabeth finds herself in Coal Valley, a small community on the Canadian frontier in need of a teacher. She quickly discovers that Coal Valley is not an easy place to live, and lacks the creature comforts and luxuries of her privileged life with her family. She soon meets the newly appointed and charismatic Mountie Jack Thornton and develops an immediate dislike for him. However, over time they become good friends, and develop an obvious attraction to one another. In the final episode of season 1, "Prelude to a Kiss," (also titled as "Final Adieu") after overcoming many obstacles throughout the season, Jack tells Elizabeth, "You're the one, you're the only one." and they share a kiss.

• Jack Thornton - Jack is a laidback country boy. As a Mountie, and a man of stout character and integrity, he often finds himself protecting and saving people. In season 1's "A Telling Silence," Jack found a basset Hound named Rip who he soon took home. A source of comfort and companion in the small town, Jack often goes to Rip (named after Rip van Winkle) when times in his life are difficult. Upon his first meeting of Elizabeth, he developed an instant dislike; it appeared she irritated him. However, he over time he grew to like and then fall madly and completely in love with her. In "Prelude to a Kiss," Jack found out that Elizabeth may be leaving Coal Valley. He took her on a walk, gave her a framed picture of them that he had sketched, and asks her not to leave Coal Valley. He tells her, "You're the one, you're the only one." She replied that she was "not going anywhere", Coal Valley was where she belonged. They share a kiss.

• Abigail Stanton - Abigail is a Coal Valley woman who tragically lost her husband and son in the mining accident. Abigail is a very kind woman, but she stands strongly for the things she believes in. She is one of the first women to welcome Elizabeth. She and Abigail quickly become friends, best friends when Elizabeth accidentally burns down the little teacherage. Abigail gladly welcomes her into her home to live. After being complimented on her cooking, Abigail decides to open a cafe in Coal Valley. Together, Abigail and Elizabeth move into the rooms above the cafe. At the end of season 1, Abigail is enjoying the company of Bill Avery, a forensic investigator and friend of Jack Thornton's.

• Cat Montgomery - Cat is a kind, encouraging woman in Coal Valley. She is a widow and mother of three: Gabe, Miles, and Emily. Cat was one of the first mothers to show kindness to Elizabeth when she first came. She desperately wants her children to remember the good memories of their father as seen by her self-sacrificing acts in "Secrets and Lies." Cat is very much a team player and encourager. She encouraged the women while working in the mines in "Cease and Desist." She is good friends with Elizabeth and Abigail. In "These Games," she also helps Jack catch a thief.

Episodes

No	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	U.S. viewers (millions)
Viewers =1.69	ShortSummary =When a wooden plank inscribed with a sentimental message is discovered in the mine, new constable Jack Thornton tries to discover the plank's rightful owner. Elizabeth struggles with capturing the enthusiasm of her students in the wake of tragedy.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}	Viewers = 1.59	ShortSummary =When all the widows in Coal Valley receive eviction notices from the Coal Company to make way for new miner recruits, Elizabeth hatches a plan to keep the widows from moving out of the only town they know.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}	Viewers =1.39	ShortSummary =Elizabeth helps a mute student who is struggling to cope with the death of her father. Jack investigates the mysterious circumstances surrounding the burning of Coal Valley's only church.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}	Viewers = 1.19	ShortSummary =After finding the cans of whale oil, Jack investigates Cat Montgomery for her possible involvement in the church arson case. When the evidence points to Cat, Gabe becomes infuriated by the idea of his mother being imprisoned for something she didn't do.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}	Viewers = 1.50	ShortSummary =When a group of new male miners comes to Coal Valley, many of the town's women get caught up in the idea of the single men. One of the new miners begins courting Elizabeth and Jack seems to have concerns that resemble jealousy. Abigail takes in Carla Noonan, a pregnant widow, to keep an eye on her health while Coal Valley's doctor is away.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}	Viewers = 1.15	ShortSummary =The Miners' Games allow the townspeople to cut loose and have a little fun. Elizabeth is feeling caught between overprotective Jack and new miner Billy Hamilton, but when Jack tells her he has proof Billy lied to her, Elizabeth decides she's had enough. Abigail suggests Jack try a gentler approach to reach Elizabeth. Jack also investigates a series of robberies that are plaguing Coal Valley.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}	Viewers = 1.15	ShortSummary =Abigail is encouraged to reopen Coal Valley's dilapidated and abandoned cafe and make it her own after Elizabeth raves about Abigail's baking. Jack accidentally insults Elizabeth as he fumbles to confess his feelings for her. One of Elizabeth's students has trouble reading so she enlists Jack's help for a creative solution.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}	Viewers = 1.04	ShortSummary =Elizabeth and Abigail move into rooms above Abigail's cafe. The only surviving miner from the explosion comes home from the hospital with a shocking surprise. Elizabeth and her students must put on the Coal Valley Founders' Day play on short notice.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}	Viewers = 1.65	ShortSummary = Jack makes his intentions known by asking an excited Elizabeth on date. Her younger sister Julie also makes a surprise visit. Julie wants to know all about Elizabeth's new life and her new romance. Elizabeth is careful with her emotions, until she sees the romantic evening at the caf that he and Abigail planned for them. However, Jack has been granted a transfer to another post, which he requested upon arriving at Coal Valley. Now happy, he must break the news to Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Gowen has a sudden interest in Abigail, who mentions this to Jack. He informs her that Gowen's role in the mine explosion is being investigated. Elsewhere, a naive Julie helps an injured man shown to be a wanted outlaw.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}	Viewers = 1.24	ShortSummary = After Jack's departure from Coal Valley, Abigail learns her husband might be at fault for the mine disaster. Julie unknowingly nurses wanted outlaw Nate Tolliver back to health and gives him directions to the cabin where they met, and where his loot is stashed. Julie confides in Elizabeth about her newfound love, but a suspicious Elizabeth goes to tell Abigail, just as the trouble arrives. The Thatcher women are put in danger, and Elizabeth realizes that love is stronger than fear.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}	Viewers = 1.44	ShortSummary = After taking care of the Tollivers, hero Jack returns to Coal Valley. His ex-fiance Rosemary LeVeaux also arrives. Rosemary broke up with him long ago to become an actress. However, she now seeks to make Coal Valley her home and Jack her husband, putting Elizabeth at odds with Jack. Meanwhile, he has asked forensic investigator and friend Bill Avery to help Abigail in regards to Gowen, the mining company and the explosion. As Bill works with Abigail, he becomes interested in her, admitting his intentions to Jack. Abigail also has the same intentions. Elizabeth receives news from home, causing her to ponder leaving Coal Valley.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}	Viewers = 1.67	ShortSummary = Coal Valley is finally going to get some justice for the mine explosion when Circuit Judge Jedidiah Black comes to town. Jack confronts Elizabeth about her teaching offer. Abigail begins letting go of the past and starts looking to the future with Bill Avery. Jack and Elizabeth"?s relationship changes in a big way.	LineColor = 72A0C1 }}