“When Calls the Heart” fans already have much to look forward to in the coming season, set to premiere in early 2019. Leading lady Erin Krakow (who portrays the resilient teacher Elizabeth Thornton) will undoubtedly face her greatest challenge and greatest joy of life simultaneously as her character welcomes the child born of her love with her departed husband, Mountie Jack Thornton. Kevin McGarry, already in the Hallmark Channel family of stars, will take on the role of protecting the people of Hope Valley.

On September 10, Yahoo! News Canada and International Business Times broke the news that Rob Estes -- known from “Melrose Place” and the CW network’s “90210” -- will guest star in Season 6 as a “mysterious” man from beloved character Abigail Stanton's past.

Lori Loughlin has faced people from her past before and always opens her willing heart to newcomers. Her door and her heart were open to Elizabeth when she first arrived as a beginning teacher, then Elizabeth Thatcher.

The past, present, and future always converge in Hope Valley, and the community thrives on the power of love and forgiveness. Everyone has a past, but those difficulties have no bearing on how bright a future can be, especially on “When Calls the Heart."

Hardly strangers

Lori Loughlin is no stranger to Rob Estes. They portrayed Debbie and Harry Wilson on the CW’s “90210,” and like Loughlin, Estes has Hallmark Channel history with the movies “The Edge of the Garden” in 2011 and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas” in 2014.

His role on “When Calls the Heart” will be as artist Theo Richardson, and predictably, showrunners for Hallmark’s most cherished hit drama have only said that Rob Estes will be another “mysterious” visitor to Hope Valley. He has a two-episode run for the coming season, but fans know that short runs can transition to major roles on the drama, as with Pascale Hutton and her portrayal of Rosemary.

Jack Wagner is another “Melrose Place” alum who has made a home on “When Calls the Heart” as Bill Avery. The actor also has a close connection with Rob Estes through his intermittent love interest (when he can catch her) AJ, played by Josie Bissett. Bissett and Estes were formerly married, and share two teenage children, Mason, 19, and Maya, 16.

Josie Bissett spoke in an ET interview last April about how she loved the “amped up” banter and spark in her on-screen romance with Wagner. The two shared a kiss near the close of Season 5 of “When Calls the Heart” before Josie had to hit the trail again, and Hearties are sure to see more sizzle between these two in the new season.

Christmas cheer getting closer

Both Jack Wagner and Lori Loughlin have predicted that Elizabeth will find romance in her future on “When Calls the Heart,” but that fate will unfold in its own way and time, with nothing being forced. While fans are looking forward to seeing all the new faces in Hope Valley, they never have to wait long to see a familiar face on the Hallmark Channel.

Last weekend, Pascale Hutton starred with pop singer-songwriter Debbie Gibson in “Wedding of Dreams.” In the Hallmark tradition, Christmas begins in October on the network, and October 26 kicks off the Christmas movie season on the Hallmark Channel and on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

There will be 22 new Christmas offerings this season, including a “When Calls the Heart” 2018 Christmas movie that was announced back in June. The storyline will focus on orphaned children who find themselves in Hope Valley for Christmas, and how the community rallies to ensure that they have the most wonderful Christmas season ever. Fans will also see Elizabeth as she nears the time of childbirth. Erin Krakow loves to share fun from the set of “When Calls the Heart” on social media and recently shared a video snippet of herself being taught some clapping games by her younger co-stars.

Erin Krakow will also star in the culmination of her “Father Christmas” series with “Marrying Father Christmas” this holiday season, starring as Miranda with “When Calls the Heart” co-star Niall Matter as Ian.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED