Hallmark Channel has ordered a fifth season of the network's original, primetime drama series "When Calls the Heart," it was announced today by Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. Having just concluded its fourth season, "When Calls the Heart" has thrived on a highly competitive Sunday night, with the sweeping, frontier drama series enjoying double digit gains in HHs and key demos, year over year.*"Viewers have fallen in love with 'When Calls the Heart' and have embraced the themes of faith, family and community," began Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. "The talented writing staff and our amazing cast have created our best season yet and the record ratings reflect this. We're thrilled to be able to bring our viewers more drama, romance and adventure next year as we continue the saga of Hope Valley."
The series boasts a passionate fan base known as the #Hearties, who have become a social media phenomenon, making "When Calls the Heart" one of the network's most social series. The #Hearties' activity on social media has reached record levels, causing the show to trend consecutively during every new episode since season four premiered on Sunday, February 19. To date, "When Calls the Heart" has seen a 15% growth in social media impressions secured over season three.
Based on the book of the same name by Janette Oke, the series stars Erin Krakow ("Army Wives"), Lori Loughlin ("Fuller House," "90210"), Daniel Lissing ("The Last Resort"), Jack Wagner ("The Bold and the Beautiful"), Pascale Hutton ("Sanctuary") and Kavan Smith ("Supernatural").
On the heels of Jack Wagner and James Brolin starring in the final episodes of When Calls the Heart, Hallmark Channel announced on Monday the series has earned a renewal and promised many more surprises in season two. 
Hallmark Channel further fortified its position as a destination for original episodic programming with the premiere of its second scripted series, WHEN CALLS THE HEART, debuting to a 1.5 household rating and a reach of more than 2.2 million unduplicated viewers. The Saturday, January 11th Season 1 opener elevated Hallmark Channel to be the #2 household-rated network in the 9-10pm time period, as well as #2 among P2+ (.8 rtg). The series premiere also placed among the top 10 in key demo impressions, including #2 in P2+ (1,685,000) and #3 in HH (1,286,000). New episodes of the series, based on the bestselling Canadian West novels by Janette Oke and starring actresses, Erin Krakow, Lori Loughlin, and Jean Smart will air every Saturday night for 12 consecutive weeks.
When Hallmark Channel’s second original primetime series WHEN CALLS THE HEART begins filming this summer, it will mark the first time a TV series has been shot in the gorgeous surroundings of Telluride, Colorado. It also will be the first narrative TV series shot in Colorado since 1991, when the FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES series was filmed here. “We are delighted with Hallmark Channel’s choice of Colorado for its latest series,” said Gov. Hickenlooper. “With Hallmark Channel’s brand behind it, the show will have a positive economic impact for our state and provide tremendous national exposure for Telluride and all of Colorado.” 
Hallmark Channel announced today that it is doubling down on its commitment to developing new original scripted series for primetime, greenlighting the 10-episode serial, WHEN CALLS THE HEART, based on the book series by best-selling author, Janette Oke. The movie pilot for WHEN CALLS THE HEART debuts on the channel on October 5, 2013, while the series will premiere in January 2014.