As fans eagerly await the season finale of “Hope Valley: 1874,” they got word from the show’s stars on May 6, 2026, that a second season is already in the works. Hallmark has officially renewed the series, a prequel to “When Calls The Heart,” for season two, slated to premiere in 2027.
Available exclusively via the Hallmark+ streaming platform, “Hope Valley: 1874” had “the most successful launch of a series on Hallmark+-to-date,” according to a press release from Hallmark Media. Longtime Hallmark stars Bethany Joy Lenz and Benjamin Ayres, along with crime drama vet and Hallmark newcomer Jill Hennessy, took to social media to celebrate the news and thank excited fans for tuning in.
Bethany Joy Lenz Was ‘Thrilled’ to Announce Renewal of ‘Hope Valley: 1874’
Set in the Gold Rush era, “Hope Valley: 1874” centers around Lenz’s main character, Rebecca Clarke — a determined and kind-hearted widow who travels by covered wagon from Chicago to the Western Canadian frontier with her 11-year-old daughter, Sarah, in tow. When a wheel on their covered wagon breaks, they wind up settling down in a makeshift town established by local rancher Tom Moore, played by Ayres.
The show premiered in March, with the eighth and final episode of its first season to drop on Hallmark+ on May 7. According to Hallmark Media, “Viewers turned out in unprecedented numbers, leading the series to exceed expectations each week and establish itself as a bona fide hit.”
In a social media video released on May 6, Lenz, Ayres, and Hennessy announced the show’s renewal with glee. Beginning with Ayres thanking viewers “for being part of this community,” the video shifted to Hennessy, who said, “Because of your incredible support, we have some exciting news to share.”
Lenz then grabbed the reins to say, “I am so thrilled to announce that ‘1874’ is coming back. Season two!”
Fans Sweetly Declare ‘1874’ Renewal the ‘Best News Ever’
HallmarkFans immediately flooded the post with excitement, including one who wrote, “Best news ever. I vote for 24 episodes in season 2” and another who commented, “The best news for the best show 😍👏”
Someone else echoed those sentiments with, “Yeeeeey, best news ever!! Thank u so much Hallmark, can’t wait for season finale and season 2!! 🎉🎉❤️❤️”
Others were even more verbose, including a fan who gushed, “I am beyond thrilled that you are coming back for season 2! I have loved watching Hope Valley 1874. I mentioned in another thread that I have never subscribed to anything that is not part of my cable network. When I heard that two of my favorite actors, Benjamin Ayers and Bethany Joy Lenz, we’re going to star in Hope Valley 1874, I immediately subscribed to Hallmark+ and have not regretted it. You have done a fantastic job with the characters, the storyline, and I cannot wait to see more. Congratulations!!”
The first season of “Hope Valley: 1874” was filmed from late December 2025 through early March 2026 with a talented cast that also includes Lachlan Quarmby, who starred in Hallmark’s 2025 mini-series “Providence Falls,” longtime Hallmark actress Chelsea Hobbs, “Firefly Lane” alum Roan Curtis, and young Mila Morgan, who has appeared in several Hallmark movies including “The Holiday Sitter” and “Christmas at the Catnip Cafe,” as Lenz’s daughter.
In a statement, Hallmark Media Head of Programming Michelle Vicary said that the show’s “dream cast” has “brought to life the rich characters and beautiful story crafted by showrunner Alfonso Moreno. Our fans and press alike have enthusiastically embraced the series, making it especially rewarding to continue telling this story.”
