New Faces, New Stories: Meet the most recent additions to Hope Valley

BY: GOOD.

One of the joys of WHEN CALLS THE HE A RT is that Hope Valley never stands still for long. Just when you think you know every face on Main Street, new characters arrive – bringing fresh energy, new perspectives, and just enough mystery to keep things interesting.

The latest seasons have continued that tradition, with characters who are set to make a meaningful impact on the town and the people we love most.

A Familiar Face Returns: Brooke Shields as Little Jack’s Grandmother

One of the most anticipated returns in Season 13 is Brooke Shields, reprising her role as Little Jack’s grandmother.

Charlotte Thornton carries both warmth and emotional weight, naturally connected to Elizabeth and Little Jack through family ties that run deep. As someone from outside Hope Valley, she brings a different worldview – one shaped by her personal strength and experience, concern, and a fierce love for her grandson.

Her presence is expected to gently challenge the status quo, offering support while also raising important questions about family, responsibility, and what the future should look like. For Elizabeth, this reunion is layered with history, tenderness, and the complexity that comes with blending past and present.

Oliver Garrett

Oliver Garrett (played by Jacob Shoemay) returns to Hope Valley this season as the young Mountie recruit still finding his feet we first met in Season 12 – and he’s quickly becoming part of the town’s everyday fabric. His storyline continues to connect strongly with Allie, not just as ‘someone her age’, but as a genuine friend who shares her curiosity and sense of purpose. That friendship matters in a place like Hope Valley, where kids are often pulled into big community moments and grow up fast – and Season 13 keeps Oliver in that orbit as both a Mountie-in-training and an important peer for Allie.

Georgie McGill

Georgie McGill (played by Melissa Gilbert) is also back this season – and her return has ripple effects, especially for Bill Avery. Georgie was introduced as an RCMP investigator (notably tied to financial/forensic-style work) who shares a surprising past with Bill, giving their scenes an easy rapport and a ‘history you can feel’ energy. As Season 13 continues, Georgie’s presence doesn’t just add another capable professional to the mix, it nudges Bill’s personal life forward too, with the show openly leaning into the idea that she could be more than an old colleague. In true Hope Valley fashion, that kind of possibility doesn’t stay contained, it becomes part of the town’s emotional weather.

Edie Martel (and a Past That Won’t Stay in the Past)

*Will Edie become a permanent fixture in Hope Valley?*

Edie Martel (played by Miranda MacDougall) was a popular addition to the Season 12 cast and proves to be a strong and steady presence in Hope Valley in Season 13, bringing professional confidence, clarity and a deep sense of justice to a town where personal and legal matters often intertwine. As a capable lawyer, she frequently finds herself at the centre of important decisions, while her evolving connection with Lucas is shaped by mutual respect, honest conversation and unspoken emotion. Edie’s influence encourages quiet growth – for Lucas and for Hope Valley as a whole – reminding those around her that strength and compassion can exist side by side, and that meaningful change often arrives with calm conviction rather than fanfare.

Edie’s return to Hope Valley in Season 13 comes with added complexity, as a figure from her past arrives in town and subtly shifts the emotional landscape. This unexpected connection brings old history to the surface, creating just enough tension to challenge assumptions and stir feelings that have been left unspoken. For Lucas, the arrival becomes revealing – prompting reflection and clarity about where his heart truly lies. In true WHEN CALLS THE HE A RT fashion, it’s not about dramatic declarations, but the gentle, unmistakable realisation that some feelings can no longer be ignored.

New Arrivals, New Dynamics

Season 13 will also introduce other new faces who quietly shift the rhythm of Hope Valley. They arrive with purpose, and whether through work, friendship, or unexpected circumstances, the newcomers bring:

Fresh relationships to explore
New viewpoints that challenge familiar patterns
Subtle tension that encourages growth and reflection

In a town built on community, every new arrival changes the shape of daily life in small but meaningful ways.

Why New Characters Matter in Hope Valley

Hope Valley thrives on connection, and new characters help keep the story grounded and evolving. They allow long-standing residents to see themselves – and each other – more clearly, often prompting moments of growth, understanding, and renewed purpose.

Season 13’s new characters aren’t here to replace what fans love – they’re here to deepen it.

Looking Ahead

With Brooke Shields’ return and new faces settling into town life, WHEN CALLS THE HE A RT Season 13 promises emotional depth, thoughtful storytelling, and the gentle reminder that Hope Valley is a place where everyone has a role to play – even if they’re there for just a few episodes.

As always, the heart of the series remains the same: family, community, and the belief that hope has a way of finding us, exactly when we need it.

The new season of WHEN CALLS THE HE A RT premieres Friday March 20 at 7:30pm (aedt) and airs weekly with episodes then available on the GOOD app for 4 weeks. Watch the trailer. CLICK HERE

Images: Stills and promotional images from WHEN CALLS THE HEART