5 Surprising Facts About WHEN CALLS THE HEART
By Movieguide® Contributor
The fans of WHEN CALLS THE HEART play no games! The #hearties, as they call themselves, are serious about their fandom. You may think you know everything about the beloved show, but some facts we’ve gathered may surprise you. Enjoy these five surprising facts about WHEN CALLS THE HEART!
The Show Has Ties To LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
The value of family is of utmost importance to the cast of WHEN CALLS THE HEART. Michael Landon Jr., executive producer of the show, is the son of Michael Landon, who played the beloved father “Pa” on LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRARIE. No wonder these cozy shows tend to draw a similar crowd!
Landon wrote a heartfelt tribute to his father: “I am proud of you because you set an example for hard work. Because you treat the little man as if he were big. I am proud of you because your work reflects what’s right, not what sells. I cannot go on any film set without hearing about the admiration they have for you and that makes me proud.”
Landon’s values can be seen throughout WHEN CALLS THE HEART in his storytelling and character development.
The Costume Designer Draws Inspiration From Each Character’s Personality
Regarding the series’ visuals, we can’t overlook the fantastic costumes. The show’s costume designer, Barbara Gregusova, shared that she selects each character’s wardrobe colors based on their personality. She opts for lighter, softer tones for lead Erin Krakow’s Elizabeth and richer, more vibrant tones for Pascale Hutton’s Rosemary.
Showbiz Cheatsheet states, “Each character also has a particular color palette that Gregusova works within. Rosemary, for example, often wears vivid colors, like her blue walking suit and a red dress. Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) on the other hand, tends to dress in lighter colors like pink and yellow.”
The Show Films Four Episodes A Month On Average
While other shows tend to take a month or so to film an episode WHEN CALLS THE HEART doesn’t delay. The crew films, on average, four episodes each month! Jack Wagner, who plays Bill Avery in the series, revealed, “I’m always drawn to shows that have massive production because I know what it takes to shoot at that level, the timeline it takes, the makeup, props, and the blood. Our show is so tight, we do two episodes in 13.5 days. I am always amazed at the production values of these high-budget series.”
Fans of the show would be impressed to know that their beloved actors are learning lines and filming episodes at a super-fast pace of about an episode a week! Hallmark maintains this schedule because it needs to film the show while the Canadian weather is favorable and doesn’t want the actors to have to work overtime.
You Can Visit Hope Valley!
Good news for fans: You can tour the Hope Valley set! There are select dates each year when fans can have the opportunity to have an immersion experience in all things WHEN CALLS THE HEART. “For the last few years, a few hundred Hearties have been given the chance to visit Hope Valley as part of the Hearties Family Reunion. Dubbed a “one-of-a-kind fan experience,” the three-day event features meet-and-greets with the cast, meals from Abigail’s Cafe and a behind-the-scenes tour of Hope Valley,” according to Good Housekeeping.
What’s also incredible regarding Hope Valley is that the set was built in less than a month!! “Production designer Brendan Harron told reporters that the WHEN CALLS THE HEART crew built Coal Valley’s buildings — a schoolhouse, a Mountie outpost, a café, et cetera — in three and a half weeks, according to The Canadian Press. And the buildings are all fully furnished — and often tarnished to look aged,” TV Insider reported.
The Series Is Among The Most Popular TV Shows Today
It’s no surprise to die-hard Hearties that the show has swept the nation and is now one of the more popular series of today. In 2023–2024, WHEN CALLS THE HEART was the second-ranked non-sports cable show, with an average of 2.77 million viewers.
The show maintains its OG fans with its classic twists and turns, heartaches and celebrations, while bringing in new viewership, as well, with its growing fame. The Hearties have a lot to love about WHEN CALLS THE HEART.
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