Hallmark's New Series WHEN CALLS THE HEART Premieres Tonight

A privileged society lady is a true pioneer woman in the World Premiere of "When Calls the Heart," a Hallmark Channel Original Primetime Series, premiering tonight, October 5 at 9p.m. ET/PT, 8C, with a two-hour special extended pilot of Hallmark Channel's second original Primetime series, premiering January 2014.

Based on Janette Oke's bestselling Canadian West book series, the two-hour pilot stars three-time Emmy(R) Award-winner Jean Smart ("Designing Women"), Lori Loughlin ("90210"), Maggie Grace ("Taken 2"), Stephen Amell ("Arrow"), Daniel Sharman ("Teen Wolf") and newcomer Poppy Drayton. Erin Krakow ("Army Wives" "Castle") and Daniel Lissing ("Last Resort") star in the original Primetime series set to premiere January 2014. Smart and Loughlin have the possibility to reprise their roles when the series returns in January.

"When Calls the Heart" filmed this summer in Telluride, Colorado, which marked the first time a TV series had been shot in the gorgeous city, featuring characters from Janette Oke, whose Love Comes Softly book series has been adapted into numerous Hallmark Channel Original Movies beloved by fans.

"When Calls the Heart" is the story of Elizabeth Thatcher (Drayton/Krakow), a young teacher accustomed to her high society life, who receives her first classroom post in a small prairie town in the Western Frontier led by two strong coal miner widows, Abigail Stanton (Loughlin) and Frances Tunnecliffe (Smart). Elizabeth must deal with her Restless students as well as the new Constable in town, Jack Thornton (Lissing). Set against the wild canvas of a 19th century coal town, Elizabeth will have to learn the ways of the frontier if she wishes to thrive in the rural west.

"When Calls the Heart" the two-hour extended pilot is a Believe Pictures, Jordan Films and Brad Krevoy Television production. Brad Krevoy, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., Roman Viaris, Francisco Gonzalez and Jimmy Townsend are executive producers. Laurette Bourassa and David Kappes are producers. The film is based on the novel by Janette Oke and written and directed by Michael Landon, Jr.

Hallmark Channel's Original Primetime Series "When Calls the Heart" is a Believe Pictures and Brad Krevoy Television production. Brad Krevoy, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., Francisco Gonzalez and Jimmy Townsend are executive producers. Eric Jarboe is a co-executive producer. Based on the novel by Janette Oke.

Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming available in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to a national audience of 87 million subscribers. Hallmark Channel is the nation's leading destination for quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies and specials, as well as some of television's most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, and Frasier. The channel is also home to a range of lifestyle programming, anchored by Home & Family, a daily two-hour live show shot in a fully functional house located on the Universal Studios lot. Hallmark Channel's sibling network, Hallmark Movie Channel, available in HD and SD, focuses on family-friendly movies with a mix of original films, classic theatrical releases, and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library.

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