Bethany Joy Lenz is reflecting on her experience working with Hallmark for over a decade.
Lenz recently stepped into the role of Rebecca Clarke in “Hope Valley: 1874,” a prequel spinoff to the long-running series “When Calls the Heart.” The actress shared her gratitude for the series and explained why she has “loved” her experiences working with the network. Though this is the first television series she’s done for Hallmark, Lenz has been in a number of fan-favorite films throughout the years. She is best known for her roles in “Savoring Paris” in 2024, “A Biltmore Christmas” in 2023, “An Unexpected Christmas” in 2021, “Just My Type” and “Five Star Christmas” in 2020, “Bottled with Love” in 2019, and “Royal Matchmaker” in 2018.
Lenz Loves the ‘Great Collaboration’ on Hallmark Projects
Hallmark“I can tell you that I have loved almost all of my experiences doing Hallmark projects,” Lenz said in an exclusive interview with Good Housekeeping when asked what it’s been like to be part of the network for over a decade. “I have always found there to be a lot of great collaboration involved—particularly with my co-stars, which is just so fun. And the crews are really hardworking, and the sets usually have just lovely people.”
“I feel really grateful to be able to do a series like this,” Lenz told the outlet of her new chapter starring in “Hope Valley: 1874.”
The actress continued, “I feel so grateful that I have earned enough trust in my years with this network and have been given a chance for this. It’s so rewarding, and it feels so good to know that you’ve earned someone’s trust. I’m doing my best to uphold it, and I’ve loved every second of it.”
Lenz Made Her Daughter Audition for Her Role in ‘Hope Valley: 1874’
GettyLenz’s daughter, Maria Rose Galeotti (who goes by her stage name Maria March), plays the role of Vivian Doyle in the prequel series. “We’re having so much fun,” Lenz said in an interview with PEOPLE. “It’s such a dream job.”
The actress admitted that she was hesitant to lead the series because of her daughter. “In total honesty, I had told my manager, ‘Look, my daughter’s in high school. She’s happy. I don’t want to go anywhere, so take me out of the running for all series.’ That was my baseline,” she said.
This led the producer to suggest giving March a role in the series. Lenz recalled, “He goes, ‘I know you’re a single mom, and you have to work around your daughter’s school schedule, and I know she loves to act. What if we give her a role in the show and we’ll shoot around her school schedule?'”
When it came to March joining the series, however, Lenz wanted to make sure she earned her role. She told the outlet that she “made her audition.”
“I was like, ‘You’re not just giving her a free part. She needs to earn it. It has to be something that you actually would cast her for.’ So I made her audition, and she did great,” Lenz said.
She added, “I’m really proud of her. It’s a beautiful story, and I’m so happy.”
All About the ‘WCTH’ Prequel Series ‘Hope Valley: 1874’
The official synopsis for the prequel series reads, “Bethany Joy Lenz portrays Rebecca Clarke, who travels from her home city of Chicago to the Western Canadian frontier with her 11-year-old-daughter. But when her wagon breaks down, she has no choice but to accept help from local rancher and confirmed bachelor, Tom Moore (Benjamin Ayres). Despite Rebecca’s best intentions to remain unattached, the future she dreams of for her and her daughter along with the people she meets in this fledgling town – including the guarded Tom and tenacious pioneer woman Hattie Quinn (Jill Hennessy) – ultimately compel her to put down roots and make a fresh start. Also starring in the series are Roan Curtis as Hattie’s daughter, Olivia, and Lachlan Quarmby as Constable Alexander Vaughn, one of the first members of the newly created Royal Canadian Mounted Police.”
The series premiered on Hallmark+ on March 21, 2026 with new episodes premiering every Thursday. There are eight episodes in Season 1, with the finale episode premiering on Thursday, May 7.
