The residents of Hope Valley are officially back for another chapter. “When Calls the Heart” returned for season 13 on Jan. 4, bringing Hallmark viewers back to the town nearly 10 months after Elizabeth Thatcher, Nathan Grant, Little Jack Thornton, and Allie Grant left Hope Valley behind.
For longtime Hearties — and for anyone jumping into the series midstream — the show’s relationships can feel like a lot to keep straight. The Hallmark Channel series has built an extended community over more than a decade, and season 13 arrives with the added excitement that the network has already renewed the show for a 14th season.
Below is a straightforward guide to the movers and shakers of “When Calls the Heart,” including family ties, friendships, and key story connections.
‘When Calls the Heart’ Core Family: Elizabeth Thatcher, Jack Thornton, and Little Jack
Elizabeth Thatcher, played by Erin Krakow, is the heart of the series. Elizabeth arrived in Coal Valley (later Hope Valley) as the town’s teacher and later married Mountie Jack Thornton, played by Daniel Lissing. Jack died in the line of duty, and Elizabeth later learned she was pregnant. She gave birth to a son, whom she named Jack, often called Little Jack.
Elizabeth’s family has appeared on the series at different points. Her parents are Grace Thatcher (Lynda Boyd) and William Thatcher (Garwin Sanford). Her extended family also includes Aunt Agatha (Karin Konoval), sisters Viola Thatcher (Devon Weigel) and Julie Thatcher (Charlotte Hegele), and brother-in-law Sir Lionel (Jay Hindle). Viola and Lionel also have a child.
Jack Thornton served in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and originally arrived in Coal Valley because Elizabeth’s wealthy father called in a favor to have a Mountie stationed there. Jack initially resented the posting, believing it disrupted his career plans, but he grew close to the town — and to Elizabeth.
Little Jack, played by Hyland Goodrich, never met his father. The show has frequently referenced his bond to Jack’s legacy, with the character occasionally commenting about his father. Little Jack has also dealt with health issues, which have become part of his ongoing storyline.
Jack’s family includes his mother, Charlotte Thornton (Brooke Shields), who runs a boarding house in Cape Fullerton. Jack also has a younger brother, Tom Thornton (Max Lloyd-Jones). Unlike Jack, Tom has not always followed the straight-and-narrow path. He returned to Hope Valley to visit Jack’s grave and later faced complications involving a music promotion job connected to a company that turned out to be a sham.
After attempting to make amends — with the town’s help and Governor Lucas Bouchard’s involvement — Tom left again in search of honest work.
Nathan Grant and Allie Grant: A Mountie’s Redemption and a New Family
Kevin McGarry plays Mountie Nathan Grant, who took over as Hope Valley’s constable after Jack’s death. Nathan’s connection to Jack’s story runs deep. The series later revealed that Nathan requested the Hope Valley assignment out of guilt and a desire for atonement, after a disciplinary suspension of his own caused Jack to take his place in a training exercise that led to Jack’s death.
Nathan is also connected to one of the show’s central younger characters, Allie Grant. Nathan’s sister, Colleen Grant, is deceased, and she was Allie’s mother. After Colleen’s death — and with Allie’s father abandoning her — Nathan became Allie’s guardian.
Allie, played by Jaeda Lily Miller, is Nathan’s niece. The series has addressed the complicated situation with her father, who is alive but remains in jail for theft and refused to see Allie when she tried to visit him, effectively abandoning her again. Nathan’s father is Archie Grant (Michael Hogan).
Lee Coulter and Rosemary LeVeaux: One of ‘When Calls the Heart’s’ Most Popular Couples
Lee Coulter, played by Kavan Smith, arrived in town on a motorbike and quickly became a major part of Hope Valley life. He also fell for Rosemary LeVeaux, played by Pascale Hutton. Lee helped revive the community economically by bringing in a lumber business after the coal mines closed.
Lee’s family includes his sister Susannah Thom (Shauna Johannesen), brother Patrick Coulter, brother-in-law Jake Thom, niece Rachel Thom (Jennifer LaPorte), and nephew Patrick Thom.
Rosemary initially arrived in Hope Valley intending to win back Jack Thornton, but instead built a friendship with Jack and eventually became one of Elizabeth’s closest friends. Early in her arc, Elizabeth disliked Rosemary because of the Jack connection, but their dynamic shifted into a strong friendship over time.
Rosemary’s mother was Goldie LeVeaux. Lee and Rosemary later welcomed a daughter, Goldie Coulter (Ellie Sweiss). Goldie’s birth followed years of the couple trying to conceive, and the show framed the pregnancy as an unexpected but joyful surprise after they were close to giving up hope.
Joseph Canfield and Minnie Canfield: The Heart of the Town’s Family Life
Viv Leacock plays Joseph Canfield, who moved his family to Hope Valley in search of a better life, particularly for his eldest child, Angela Canfield, who is blind. Joseph eventually became the town pastor while also working various jobs around Hope Valley.
Joseph’s wife Minnie Canfield (Natasha Burnett) took over Abigail Stanton’s cafe when it seemed Abigail would not be returning. The business became known as “The Cafe.” Minnie has also served as a substitute teacher when Elizabeth has been needed elsewhere.
Angela Canfield (Vienna Leacock) is the Canfields’ eldest child and a piano prodigy. She is currently attending a college for the blind. The Canfields’ younger child, Cooper Canfield (Elias Leacock), still lives at home and often appears in storylines centered on teen mischief and growing up, frequently alongside his friend Toby (Billy Christos Jr.).
Joseph’s brother Jacob Canfield (Doron Bell) also has a place in Hope Valley. The brothers were estranged for years but later reconciled. Jacob works as a tailor and haberdasher.
Bill Avery and Georgie McGill: Law, Justice, and a New Investigation
Jack Wagner plays Bill Avery, a former Mountie and forensic investigator who served as Hope Valley’s sheriff and now works as a judge. Bill has an ex-wife named Nora Avery (Kristina Wagner).
Season 13 also includes Georgie McGill (Melissa Gilbert), a Royal Canadian Mounted Police forensic investigator. Georgie is a former colleague and RCMP schoolmate of Bill’s, and the show has hinted at mutual feelings between them. Georgie arrives to investigate a rumored lost treasure near Hope Valley.
Mike Hickam and Mei Suo: A Fresh Start and a Growing Family
Ben Rosenbaum plays Mike Hickam, who started off as the town’s “everyman” and gradually revealed himself to be a capable businessman. Mike won a local election to become mayor but later decided the role wasn’t for him and stepped down.
Mike married Mei Suo, played by Amanda Wong. Mei arrived in Hope Valley disguised as a man while escaping someone who wanted to control her. With the town’s help, she ultimately freed herself legally and physically. Mei works as the town pharmacist and blends Chinese herbal knowledge with Western pharmaceutical training.
Mei has a brother named Bo Suo (Mike Li), who works as a merchant marine. Mike also comes from a large family and is the only boy among sisters. His sister Maisie Hickam (Samantha Ferris) serves as the mayor of nearby Benson Hills. His other sisters include Mary, Megan, Millicent, Maude, and Mavis.
Ned and Florence Yost: The Store, the Switchboard, and a New Romance
Hrothgar Mathews plays Ned Yost, and Loretta Walsh plays Florence Yost, who runs the local mercantile. Florence was widowed when her husband Paul died in the mine collapse in the series opener. She later began working the switchboard after the telephone line was installed, and her longtime friendship with Ned developed into romance.
Florence has a daughter, Deborah, from her marriage to Paul. Ned has a daughter, Katie Yost (Larissa Dias), from his first marriage to Irene, who is deceased.
Abigail Stanton’s Return: One of Hope Valley’s Biggest Updates
Lori Loughlin plays Abigail Stanton, whose story began with tragedy. Abigail lost her husband Noah and her son Peter in the mine collapse in the series opener. She later learned Peter had secretly married a woman named Clara Stanton (Eva Bourne).
Clara eventually moved to Hope Valley and fell in love with Jesse Flynn (Aren Buchholz). The couple married and later relocated to Montana to claim their own homestead. Abigail also took in orphan siblings Cody and Rebecca, played by Carter Ryan and Ali Skovbye, and later formally adopted them.
Abigail left Hope Valley to return to the East Coast to care for her ailing mother. She is set to return to Hope Valley in season 13.
More Key ‘When Calls the Heart’ Characters: Faith Carter, Lucas Bouchard, and Henry Gowen
Andrea Brooks plays Dr. Faith Carter, Hope Valley’s doctor, who took over after Dr. Carson Shepherd (Paul Greene) left to study under a doctor at Johns Hopkins in Boston. Faith has also served as a foster mother to Lily Watson (Chloe McKinnon) after Lily’s grandmother, Dora, fell ill. The show has suggested adoption may eventually happen.
Chris McNally plays Lucas Bouchard, the governor and owner of the Queen of Hearts. Lucas once had romantic feelings for Elizabeth, but she later realized she could not deny her feelings for Nathan. Lucas later butted heads with attorney Edie Martell (Miranda MacDougall), and the show appears to be building a courtship storyline for them.
The Queen of Hearts also includes Lucas’ cousin Gustave Pepin (Karl Mercer), who serves as head chef. Gustave’s parents are Martin and Helen Bouchard (Teryl Rothery). Helen is a successful book editor and previously edited Elizabeth’s first book.
Henry Gowen remains one of the series’ biggest redemption arcs. Henry started as one of the most disliked men in Hope Valley, but his story shifted dramatically over time. The series now frames his arc as full-circle redemption and a new chapter of stability.
Henry’s son Christopher Hughes has also appeared as part of Henry’s family storyline. Christopher grew up with his mother and stepfather, and his reunion with Henry initially brought conflict before the two worked toward understanding. Christopher is engaged to Rachel Thom (Jennifer LaPorte), Lee’s niece.
New episodes of “When Calls the Heart” air Sunday nights on the Hallmark Channel.
I love this show. I watch every week