Season 5 Overview
When Calls the Heart season 5 premiered on Hallmark Channel on February 18, 2018, as the fifth installment of the Canadian-American television drama series. The season consisted of six episodes, continuing the story set in the fictional coal-mining town of Hope Valley. The series is based on the book series by Janette Oke, and the television adaptation is produced by Believe Pictures and distributed by Hallmark Media. The season aired on Sundays at 8pm ET/PT, following the established format of the franchise.
The show is a flagship original series for Hallmark Channel, which is owned by Hallmark Cards, Inc. through its Crown Media Holdings subsidiary. Crown Media produces the series in association with Believe Pictures, with Brad Krevoy Television serving as a production partner. The series is filmed primarily in British Columbia, Canada, with the town of Hope Valley portrayed by the village of Fort Langley and surrounding areas. The season 5 episodes were made available for streaming on the Hallmark Movies Now platform and through subscription services like Amazon Prime Video.
Cast and Characters
Erin Krakow stars as Elizabeth Thatcher, the schoolteacher and central protagonist, with Daniel Lissing portraying Jack Thornton, the Royal Canadian Mounted officer. Lori Loughlin plays Abigail Stanton, the mayor and owner of the local diner, while Jack Wagner appears as Bill Avery, the newspaper editor. The supporting cast includes P. Lynn Johnson as Mayor Olivia Dalton, and Kevin McGarry as Nathan Grant, the town's blacksmith and Elizabeth's close friend.
The season 5 cast also features recurring characters from the Hope Valley community, including the children at the schoolhouse and members of the church congregation. The ensemble is managed by casting directors who work with Hallmark's in-house production teams. Key guest roles in the season include a visiting bishop and a new suitor for Elizabeth, played by actors from the Canadian film and television industry. The cast's contracts are handled through standard studio agreements, with Erin Krakow and Daniel Lissing among the top-billed actors for the season.
Plot and Themes
When Calls the Heart season 5 continues the story of Elizabeth Thatcher navigating life in Hope Valley after the events of the previous season. The plot centers on her efforts to keep the school open amid funding challenges, while Jack Thornton deals with the responsibilities of his Mountie duties and his growing commitment to the town. The season explores themes of community resilience, faith, and the economic pressures facing small towns, with storylines involving the local coal mine and the arrival of new residents.
The season's narrative arc includes a significant event that tests the relationships between Elizabeth, Jack, and the rest of the Hope Valley community. The production team, led by showrunner Michael Landon Jr., incorporates elements of the Hallmark Channel's signature family-friendly storytelling, with episodes focusing on holiday celebrations and town traditions. The season finale wraps up the central romance and community storylines, setting the stage for future seasons. The show's ratings for season 5 placed it among the top-performing original series on Hallmark Channel, according to network data reported by industry sources like Forbes.