When Calls The Heart Prequel Hope Valley: 1874, Starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Sets Hallmark+ Premiere Date — Watch Trailer

Hallmark is taking a page from the "Yellowstone" playbook, turning back the clock (even further) for a "When Calls the Heart" prequel series.

Bethany Joy Lenz ("One Tree Hill"), Benjamin Ayres ("Saving Hope"), and Jill Hennessy ("City on a Hill") star in "Hope Valley: 1874," an eight-episode offshoot earmarked for streaming service Hallmark+.

The offshoot will premiere Saturday, March 21. Subsequent episodes will be released on Thursdays, beginning March 26.

"'Hope Valley: 1874' gives us a wonderful opportunity to further explore the universe of 'When Calls the Heart' and build a deeper world around this show for our devoted fans, who have helped make it one of the most successful and enduring series on television today," Michelle Vicary, Head of Programming at Hallmark Media, said in December. "We're excited for the Hearties to join us as we tell this rich origin story filled with the kind of heart, community and hope they know and love."

Per Hallmark, 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," the logline reveals. "Viewers will also meet the adventurous ranchers, gold prospectors and early pioneers who worked together to navigate and embrace the changes  of a new era and ultimately build a small, close-knit community in the rugged and hopeful pioneer era."

Hallmark Media

Rounding out the cast are Roan Curtis ("Firefly Lane") as Hattie's daughter, Olivia, and Lachlan Quarmby ("Providence Falls") as Constable Alexander Vaughn, one of the first members of the newly created Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"Hope Valley: 1874" marks the third series in the "When Calls the Heart" universe — and its first prequel. Hallmark+ (formerly Hallmark Movies Now) was previously home to the spinoff "When Hope Calls," which eventually migrated to Hallmark competitor Great American Family with a mostly new cast. It was recently renewed for Season 3.

"When Calls the Heart," meanwhile, has already been picked up for Season 14, which is set to feature the return of former cast member Lori Loughlin, who will reprise her role as Abigail Stanton. Season 13 is currently underway, airing Sundays at 8 p.m.

No word yet if "Hope Valley: 1874" will eventually join "When Calls the Heart" on the Hallmark cable channel. As of press time, it is exclusive to Hallmark+.

"Showcasing themes of perseverance and romance, this series explores the journey of a mother as she discovers a new chapter in her life as she helps forge what starts out as collection of isolated settlers into a small close-knit community during the rugged and hopeful Pioneer Era," according to the official logline. "This prequel to Hallmark's historical drama series, 'When Calls the Heart,' will take viewers back in time to follow the early settlers of the community that will one day become the beloved frontier town of Hope Valley."

Watch a trailer for "Hope Valley: 1874," then leave a comment and let us know if you'll sign up for Hallmark+ to watch the prequel series.