The next episode of “When Calls the Heart” brings a new face to Hope Valley as the investigation into the fire continues. It turns out, the actor behind this new character has a meaningful existing connection to the show. Austin Landon will play Mountie Briggs, and he is a member of the iconic Landon family of entertainers.
Austin Landon is the Grandson of the Beloved Michael Landon
On February 3, Landon got an introduction to “When Calls the Heart” fans via his father, Michael Landon, Jr.
“So proud of my son Austin Landon! Tune in to this week’s episode of When Calls the Heart” to see him as Mountie Briggs, who arrives in Hope Valley with some exciting new technology,” he wrote.
As Hallmark shares, Landon, Jr. is the son of the late Michael Landon, known by many for his connection to “Little House on the Prairie.”
Landon, Jr. is the co-creator of “When Calls the Heart.” In addition to co-creating the show, over the years, he also took on roles as a writer, director, and executive producer. He also had a hand in Hallmark’s “Love Comes Softly” series.
‘When Calls the Heart’ Fans Are Giving Hope Valley’s New Mountie a Warm Welcome
Despite his family legacy in entertainment, Austin Landon is relatively new to the acting world. According to IMDb, his only previous acting role was playing the character of “Will” in a 2016 short titled “Fillmore.”
On the “When Calls the Heart” Instagram page, Landon received a warm welcome from show fans.
“Welcome! I know you will fit right in with the casts. A seamless entrance to Hope Valley,” one fan commented.
“Love seeing this!!! I’m sure he will be great, like his father,” another gushed.
Someone else added, “Welcome!!! I heard that Hope Valley is very good to its Mounties.”
An additional “When Calls the Heart” fan wrote, “Welcome to WCTH!!! We love your grandfather, Michael Landon aka little Joe!! Congratulations!!”
The iconic Michael Landon not only played Charles Ingalls on “Little House on the Prairie,” but he also portrayed Joseph “Little Joe” Cartwright on “Bonanza.
Adding Austin Landon to the cast for episode 6 of season 13 seems especially meaningful given it’s also supposed to be the episode where Melissa Gilbert returns as Georgie McGill.
As “When Calls the Heart” fans know, Gilbert also starred on “Little House on the Prairie” throughout much of her childhood. She played Laura Ingalls, one of Charles’ daughters.
