<P> The series originally debuted as a two - hour television movie pilot in October 2013, starring Maggie Grace as young teacher Elizabeth Thatcher and Stephen Amell as North West Mounted Police officer Wynn Delaney . In the television series Erin Krakow is cast as her niece, whose name is also Elizabeth Thatcher (played by Poppy Drayton in the movie), and Daniel Lissing plays a Mountie named Jack Thornton, with Lori Loughlin reprising her role as coal mine widow Abigail Stanton . </P> <P> On April 24, 2017, Krakow announced via the Hallmark Channel website that the show would return for a fifth season . The season premiered with a two - hour Christmas special that was broadcast as part of Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas event, and continues for 10 episodes which began February 18, 2018 . On March 21, 2018, Hallmark renewed the series for a sixth season . </P> <P> When Calls the Heart tells the story of Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a young teacher accustomed to her high - society life . She receives her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley, a small coal - mining town in Western Canada which is located just south of Robb, Alberta . There, life is simple--but often fraught with challenges . Elizabeth charms most everyone in Coal Valley, except Royal North West Mounted Police Constable Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing). He believes Thatcher's wealthy father has doomed the lawman's career by insisting he be assigned in town to protect the shipping magnate's daughter . The town of Coal Valley was renamed Hope Valley in Episode 2, Season 2 after the coal mine was closed . </P> <P> Living in this 1910 coal town, Elizabeth must learn the ways of the Canadian frontier movement if she wishes to thrive in the rural west on her own . Lori Loughlin portrays Abigail Stanton, whose husband, the foreman of the mine, and her only son--along with 45 other miners--have recently been killed in an explosion, which turns out to have been a tragic accident waiting to happen--a result of the mining - company site manager's irresponsible management and lack of due care in his management of the mine . The newly widowed women find their faith tested when they must go to work in the mine to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and compile a wage for the town's teacher . </P>

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