Season 3 of “The Way Home” premieres this Friday, January 3, on the Hallmark Channel at 9 p.m. Eastern. It will then premiere on Canada’s The W network on January 5. The cast and producers have dropped a lot of hints about what to expect: from new time travel destinations to sizzling romances and big new mysteries. And after some of the major surprises we learned at the end of last season, fans can’t wait to see what’s next.
Here’s a look at the hints we’ve gotten about what to expect in the new season.
Season 3 Will Begin with a Time Jump Similar to Season 2
During a panel at the ATX TV Festival in June, a fan asked if we’ll see Del reacting to Jacob’s homecoming.
Co-showrunner Alexandra Clarke said there will be a time jump, but not until after things pick up where season 2 left off.
“We definitely can confirm that we do have to do a time jump, purely because of when you shoot,” Clarke said. “We left them, obviously, in November of 2024, and we’re going to be shooting in August. So yeah, we do have to, that’s just the nature of our show. We do have to jump. But TBD on how much we do cheat things and stay and pick up right where we left off, you know very similarly to how we started season two and then jumped.”
Season 2 started right where season 1 left off, with winter setting in. But after a few intense scenes, the show jumped ahead seven months.
We’ll Likely Learn the Secret of the Coyle’s Sticker on the Guitar
Ever since Thomas Coyle was introduced in season 2, fans have wondered why there’s a Coyle’s sticker on Colton’s guitar (which is now owned by Alice.) We may learn the answer this season.
During a panel at the ATX TV Festival, the moderator asked if viewers will learn in season 3 why Thomas’s last name is on the sticker on the guitar
Co-showrunner Heather Conkie replied, “Yeah, I think so.”
Co-creator Marly Reed shared a few more details about the sticker.
“Some (Easter eggs) started in the writers’ room and some … like the Coyle sticker in particular, we worked that in because our art team often names things after themselves as a joke,” Reed said. “So that sticker, ‘Coyle’s,’ is one of our graphics people, Keeley Coyle. And then we noticed it and said, ‘We should work that into the story.’”
Kat & Del Will Have Some Tense Moments Again
Near the beginning of one of the ATX TV Festival panels, Chyler Leigh (Kat) hinted that things might not be so easy between Del and Kat in the future.
“I love seeing how she’s (Kat’s) grown,” Leigh said. “I love seeing the development of the relationships as well. I mean, I have teenage daughters, and so her relationship with Alice, seeing that in season two. And even her relationship with Dell, but, ewww, it’s going to get heavy.”
Elliot’s Ex-Wife May Make an Appearance
During one panel at the ATX TV Festival, the moderator asked if Elliot’s ex-wife might show up in season 3.
“Who have you been talking to?” Conkie asked, hinting that this might be a development when the show returns.
Kat & Elliot’s Relationship Still Needs to Grow
During a micro panel at the ATX TV Festival, one question seemed to hint about Elliot and Kat. When talking about whether a potential relationship might leave the “will they/won’t they” stage (most likely referring to Kat and Elliot), Conkie shared an interesting reply.
“I know who we’re talking about,” Conkie said without naming names. “…They have a lot of things to get through. They have a lot of growing to do.”
During a different panel, Evan Williams (Elliot) talked how Elliot may be growing into the type of person that Kat needs.
“The arc of Elliot, I think, has been moving from a man who was being everything he felt he had to be, and maybe had no choice, to becoming a man who is discovering what he wants to be,” Williams said.
“And that’s the kind of man that is required to love a woman like Kat Landry,” he added. ”And so I’m hoping that we will continue to see Elliot expand.”
Instagram Posts Hinted the Show Will Return to the 1800s & This Might Involve Thomas
In a public “The Way Home” Facebookg group for fans, contributor Shannon Combs shared a behind-the-scenes filming update that was shared on Instagram by an underwater cinematographer and water safety expert for the show, “CarlyUnderwater.”
Back in September, CarlyUnderwater shared that they were filming in Toronto Bay on a longboat. In her Instagram story, she shared photos of an authentic boat from the 1800s, seemingly indicating that at some point in season 3, the show will indeed be returning to the 1800s.
Spencer Macpherson, who portrays Jacob on the series, also shared photos on his Instagram Story on September 19 revealing they were filming at the 1814 Landry House, Combs shared in another post.
In addition, hair and makeup professionals associated with the show also posted photos from the 1800s on September 19. One shared a picture of an outhouse and wrote, “Things have gone way down hill on this show…” and another shared photos of makeup and wrote, “some of the products used on Susanna.”
Kris Holden-Reid (Thomas) was also shown in a photo with some of the cast members during filming.
In an interview with the podcast Chat with Roxanne (Everything About Hallmark) in April, Holden-Ried shared that although he hadn’t been given an official contract yet, he was pretty sure that Thomas would be returning in season 3. The answer came around 3:40 minutes into the interview.
“I believe so,” Holden-Ried told host Roxanne DeRenzis about returning for season 3. “I haven’t signed a contract yet, but I from what I’ve heard from the powers that be, everybody really liked what the 1814 group brought to the show. Just a different tone, sort of broadened it and gave a whole new dimension, and so they’re excited to bring them back. I don’t know in exactly what capacity, but I’m excited to come back as Thomas because he’s a lot of fun.”
The Show Will Travel Back in Time to 1974
HallmarkVariety reported that season 3 will travel back to 1974, when Del and Colton first met as teens. And Alice is going to meet a young Evelyn Goodwin, with their friendship causing some complications.
Three new stars will be joining the series.
Julia Tomasone is stepping into the role of a young Del, before she married Colton Landry.
On her Instagram, Tomasone commented on her new role on the show, writing: “I’m beyond excited to finally share what I’ve been working on these past few months! So grateful to be part of the magical world they’ve created, working alongside a phenomenal cast and crew, and to share a role with the incredibly talented Andie MacDowell.”
Alexandra Clarke, one of the showrunners, wrote on her post: “Eeeeak! Our Southern Belle, Miss Delilah is HERE!!! The Way Home fam wouldn’t be complete without our disco-loving debutante… and Julia, you capture her so perfectly. You are a gift, a talent, and such a genuinely beautiful soul. Thank you for being our Teen Delly!! 💜✨☮️🌼☮️✨💜”
According to IMDb, she won Best Leading Young Actress at the Young Entertainer Awards in 2017 for “Backstage.”
Jordan Doww joins the cast as teen Colton Landry, exploring his backstory. Doww, known for his work in “Ganymede,” expressed his excitement about the role on social media.
Doww wrote: “Honored beyond belief to join the incredible Landry legacy in @hallmarkchannel’s #TheWayHome – you all are in for such a TREAT. Thank you thank you thank you! 🥹🫶🏻✨”
According to IMDb, Doww has been nominated twice for the Teen Choice Award.
And Devin Cecchetto has been cast to play the role of a teenage Evelyn.
On Instagram she teased her role, writing: “It’s ABOUT TO GET WILD !! No spoilers 😉 make sure to watch the first two seasons sooo you are all caught up for January 2rd !!!! 💛💛💛💛”
When Doww, who plays teen Colton, commented on her post, Cecchetto replied: “MY COLTEN !!! Sir Lancelot 🥰🥹💛✨💋😇”
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Inside ‘The Way Home’ Season 3: Clues Teasing Big Plot Twists & Surprises