When Calls the Heart Cast
When Calls the Heart follows Elizabeth Thatcher, a young teacher accustomed to her high-society life, who receives her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley (later Hope Valley), a small coal-mining town in Western Canada circa 1910. She learns the ways of the frontier, including the work required to thrive in the rural west, while managing to find romance and happiness along the way.
Main Cast of When Calls the Heart
Erin Krakow
Elizabeth Thornton
Chris McNally
Lucas Bouchard
Kevin McGarry
Nathan Grant
Jack Wagner
Bill Avery
Pascale Hutton
Rosemary Coulter
Kavan Smith
Lee Coulter
Andrea Brooks
Faith Carter
Martin Cummins
Henry Gowen
Complete Cast Details
| Actor | Character | Role Description | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Krakow | Elizabeth Thornton | School teacher and protagonist | 1-11 (All) |
| Daniel Lissing | Jack Thornton | Mountie and Elizabeth's first husband | 1-5 |
| Chris McNally | Lucas Bouchard | Saloon owner and businessman | 6-11 |
| Kevin McGarry | Nathan Grant | Mountie and single father | 6-11 |
| Jack Wagner | Bill Avery | Judge and former Mountie | 2-11 |
| Pascale Hutton | Rosemary Coulter | Former actress, now mayor's wife | 2-11 |
| Kavan Smith | Lee Coulter | Businessman and mayor | 2-11 |
About When Calls the Heart
When Calls the Heart is Hallmark Channel's longest-running original series, based on the book series by Janette Oke. The show has built a devoted fanbase known as "Hearties" who appreciate its wholesome storytelling, historical setting, and focus on community, faith, and family values.
The series has navigated significant cast changes, including the departure of Daniel Lissing in Season 5, but has continued to thrive with new storylines and characters. The show's success has made it a cornerstone of Hallmark Channel's programming.
Cultural Impact
When Calls the Heart has become more than just a TV show - it's a phenomenon with fan conventions, merchandise, and a passionate online community. The series has consistently been one of the highest-rated shows on cable television in its time slot.
About When Calls the Heart
When Calls the Heart is a Hallmark Channel period drama set in the small Western Canadian town of Hope Valley in the early twentieth century. It is loosely inspired by the novels of Janette Oke and follows a young teacher, Elizabeth Thatcher, who arrives from a privileged urban background to take a posting in a coal-mining community.
Tone and format
The series favours character-driven storytelling over high-stakes plotting. Episodes spend most of their time on the rhythms of life in Hope Valley: the schoolhouse, the saloon, the sheriff's office, town meetings, and the homes of the principal families. Romantic story arcs are paced over multiple seasons rather than resolved in a few episodes.
Casting
Erin Krakow plays Elizabeth Thatcher. The wider ensemble includes Jack Wagner, Pascale Hutton, Kavan Smith, Andrea Brooks, Chris McNally, and Kevin McGarry, with a rotating supporting cast of townspeople. Several actors have been with the show since its early seasons, which is part of how the writing has built such a long-running ensemble.
Spin-offs and connected work
When Calls the Heart has produced spin-off films and a sister series, When Hope Calls, which extends the world to neighbouring communities. The show is part of Hallmark's larger period-drama brand.
Where to watch
When Calls the Heart airs on Hallmark Channel in the United States and on Hallmark Drama internationally. Episodes are available to stream on Hallmark's subscription service in addition to weekly broadcast.
Related cast pages
Viewers who enjoy slower-paced period drama often also look up the The Crown cast, the The Last Kingdom cast, and the Bridgerton (season 3) cast.