Erin Krakow Talks This Special WCTH Cameo: ‘Such a Delight’

Published: January 6, 2026

By Michaela Gordoni

Brooke Shields made her WHEN CALLS THE HEART debut in Season 3 with a reprisal in Season 13, and star Erin Krakow, who plays Elizabeth, told fans all about it.

Season 13 aired its first episode on Sunday, and Shields appears in three of its episodes.

“Brooke and I have stayed in touch over the years, and we have a lovely friendship,” Krakow told Good Housekeeping. “I always hoped that one day the stars would align and we’d be able to get her back, because there really is so much to mine from her character.”

Shields plays Krakow’s mother-in-law on the series. Shields’ character’s name, Charlotte, was mentioned in Season 12 when she sent a letter to Elizabeth.

“When we mentioned her at the end of season 12, we were hopeful,” Krakow added. “But you never know…We just got lucky that Brooke’s schedule allowed for her to come back and join us in season 13.”

Krakow was overjoyed to work with her again.

“Brooke is such a delight and such a pro,” she said. “She’s so fun and grounded and just a wonderful human being.”

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In the first episode of Season 13, “Up in the Air,” Elizabeth and her beau Nathan look forward to returning home after spending the summer with Charlotte in Cape Fullerton so Little Jack could get better diabetes treatment. Meanwhile, while Lee and Rosemary prepare for Hope Valley’s new national park.

“The end of season 12 was pretty fraught for Elizabeth, and it was a really dramatic way to end the season,” Krakow told PEOPLE recently. “But luckily, we start season 13 with some very renewed hope, and we’re seeing Elizabeth, Nathan, Little Jack and Allie preparing for their triumphant return to Hope Valley.”

Are you glad Brooke Shields is back in Hope Valley?

In Season 13, “Little Jack is doing very well,” she said. “I think they’ve settled into a new normal. Not to get into too much of the history of it, but at the time, in 1921, diabetes was a very, very scary diagnosis.”

But that same year, insulin was created, so Little Jack gets exactly the treatment he needs.

“Getting to include some of that history, I think, is very meaningful. It’s fun to get to include some real-life history in the stories we’re telling,” she explained.

She’s filled with gratitude to be on another season of WCTH, which is already renewed for Season 14.

“I show up to work every season feeling a lot of joy and gratitude in my heart. It’s just, we don’t have egos in this cast or crew. Everyone is truly happy to be here. And I’m just very grateful to Hallmark and to the Hearties, our loyal fans, for continuing to rally behind us and be so engaged in this show.”

The next episode comes out on Sunday, Jan. 11, on Hallmark.

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