They’re back! The stars of Hallmark Channel’s perennial hit series “When Calls The Heart” have returned to the show’s Vancouver set to film season 13 — and they’ve got some surprises in store.
During the week of June 30, 2025, many stars have shared behind-the-scenes glimpses to let fans know they’re back on set. But several have gone further, providing some gasp-worthy spoilers long before the season premiere — including series lead Erin Krakow confirming that she and her evolving onscreen family are returning to Hope Valley.
Erin Krakow Says She & Co-Stars ‘Got Homesick’ for Hope Valley
The season 12 finale of “When Calls the Heart” ended with a cliffhanger, as main characters Elizabeth (played by Krakow) and Nathan (played by Kevin McGarry) were seen in the back of a taxi, being rushed off with their kids to the train station.
They were heading to Cape Fullerton in search of insulin for Elizabeth’s son, little Jack (played by Hyland Goodrich), diagnosed with diabetes earlier in the season. Nathan’s teen daughter Allie, played by Jaeda Lily Miller, joined, too — solidifying their status as an unofficial family of four. But as their taxi drove off, many Hearties wondered if or when they would return.
In mid-June, WCTH actor Jack Wagner spilled in an interview that the foursome would, indeed, return in the first episode of season 13. Krakow just confirmed the news with her July 2 video that featured her, Goodrich, Miller, and McGarry in character — all holding hands and smiling as they walked toward the camera with the iconic Hope Valley church in the background.
Tagging them all, Krakow captioned the video, “We got homesick. 😉 @wcth_tv is back in action filming Season 13!”
McGarry amusingly quoted Eminem, commenting, “Guess who’s back…….back again!”
Fans were thrilled to see the foursome together in Hope Valley, including one who wrote, “Let’s make this family official in S13 🙏🏻♥️”
Many noticed the family’s fashions — including Krakow’s loose-fitting flapper sundress and knit Gatsby hat — and McGarry’s moustache, with fans divided over whether it should stay or go.
Talent Agency Spills Return of ‘When Calls The Heart’ Character
Many longtime “When Calls The Heart” regulars like Wagner, Andrea Brooks (who’s thrilled not to be wearing maternity clothes this season!), and Johannah Newmarch posted peeks from the set to celebrate the start of filming.
But it turns out at least one long lost character will be making a comeback on season 13, too. On July 2, talent agency Peak Talent Management, which represents Goodrich, posted on Instagram that in addition to his return to the set, they were also celebrating their client James Drew Dean was “back on set this week for a brand new season” of the show. Weeks before, on May 24, Dean subtly posted a throwback photo from his time on the series.
Dean hasn’t been on “When Calls The Heart” since season eight, when he played the troubled son of Henry Gowen, played by Martin Cummins. Gowen didn’t have much of a storyline in season 12; in fact, after the season finale, new showrunner Joy Gregory admitted on “The Official Hearties Aftershow” podcast that scenes they filmed about him becoming a grandfather were dropped due to a lack of time.
Gregory said Cummins did “beautiful work in those scenes” and that cutting them was “regrettable,” but that they were working on something big for his character in season 13.
“We’ve got something really nice cooking for Henry,” she said on the podcast. “I’m very excited about it.”
Meanwhile, Melissa Gilbert has confirmed she’ll also return after guest-starring in two episodes of season 12 in which her character rekindled a decades-old romance with Wagner’s character, Bill Avery. Filming of season 13 is scheduled to last through October 23, according to CreativeBC.
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Hallmark Stars Spill Big Surprises as ‘When Calls the Heart’ Season 13 Filming Starts