Is Great American Media’s When Hope Calls Set in the Same Universe as Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart?

New details are coming out about Great American Media’s When Hope Calls. The series is a spinoff of Hallmark’s popular drama When Calls the Heart.

This could confuse viewers since they’re on competing networks. Learn more about When Hope Calls and whether it’s centered in the same universe as When Calls the Heart. 

New Details About When Hope Calls

When Hope Calls added another actor to its cast. Per Variety, Trevor Donovan officially joins Great American Media. He will join Season 2 of the series, which also includes Morgan Kohan, Jocelyn Hudon, Ryan-James Hatanaka, Greg Hovannesian, and Wendy Crewson.

It’s unclear whether Lori Loughlin will appear on When Hope Calls since being dropped from When Calls the Heart. The series is currently in production and set to premiere on Great American Family in January 2025. The series is based on the short-lived series, which is currently streaming on Hallmark+.

The show started out as an original film on The Hallmark Channel. When Hope Calls is also based on Janette Oke’s book series of the same name. The film’s success led to the creation of the long-running series When Calls the Heart.

Its predecessor will remain on the Hallmark Channel. When Calls the Heart just wrapped up its 11th season. When Hope Calls is a spinoff of When Calls the Heart and will be set in the same universe; however, it doesn’t look like the characters will cross paths since they’re on opposing networks. 

What to Know About When Calls the Heart Season 12

Hallmark renewed When Calls the Heart for Season 12. The show might not cross over with When Hope Calls, but it could cross paths with Little House on the Prairie. Melissa Gilbert is joining the cast. Erin Krakow shared the news on Instagram. It’ll be interesting to see how she’ll be thrown into the world of Hope Valley. 

Gilbert will not be reprising her iconic role as Laura Ingalls Wilder. Per Deadline, Gilbert’s character is Georgie McGill, a woman who “shares a surprising past with one special Hope Valley resident.” No premiere date has been announced for Season 12 of When Calls the Heart, but it’s likely to premiere in the spring of 2025, giving Hearties plenty of time to watch both series.