For several decades, Brian Bird has built a storytelling legacy rooted in hope, family, faith, and community—and he’s not slowing down anytime soon.
As the producer, showrunner and co-creator of Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart, Bird continues to champion the Hearties—one of television’s most loyal fan communities. With the highly anticipated Season 13 finale just hours away and production already underway for Season 14, the future of Hope Valley is anything but quiet.
Off-screen, the cast is growing, too. Babies are on the way for WCTH stars Erin Krakow, Ben Rosenbaum, Kevin McGarry and Chris McNally. “We may need an on-set childcare center soon,” Bird jokes.
Now, with his new documentary The Story of Everything hitting theaters April 30, Bird is expanding his reach and tackling one of life’s biggest questions: Does the universe itself point to an intelligent design?
Based on Stephen C. Meyer’s book Return of the God Hypothesis, the film blends science, philosophy and faith in a way Bird hopes will spark deeper conversations. The book also presents scientific evidence for the existence of God.
Bird stays busy, even when WCTH is on hiatus. “I always look for a project that uplifts people and invites meaningful dialogue,” he exclusively tells Parade. “We’re all sending messages every day and this is a deep dive into modern science and the origins of life in a powerful, hopeful way.”
He continues: “I believe we send messages every day because everyone is making content. My worldview of hope, life and faith aligns well with my opportunity to get involved in an adaptation of a major book that delves into modern science on The Big Bang Theory. It has taken my partners and me five years of blood, sweat, tears and elbow grease to take this stunning and uplifting deep dive into science.”
Extremely thankful for the devoted WCTH fans known as the Hearties, Bird said that he believes they will enjoy the movie because the content is unique.
“When Michael Landon, Jr. and I gave birth to WCTH (the first episode aired on January 11, 2014), we felt that a lot of the programming was bleak, cynical and dripping with cynicism,” Bird explains. “I think the Hearties will love the documentary for the same reason they appreciate When Calls the Heart—because it points to something bigger than themselves and it helps them head out of their fears and worries. It is about a bigger movement of hope.”
Photo by David Livingston on Getty Images
On the heels of the WCTH Season 13 finale, Bird appreciates that the town of Hope Valley opens its arms to the residents of Benson Hills.
“What excites me about this season is that I wish I could live in Hope Valley,” he says. “It takes place in the 1920s, but I hear so many people today say they wish the same thing.”
Related: Erin Krakow Teases ‘Never-Before-Seen’ Elizabeth and Nathan Moments in ‘When Calls the Heart’ Season 13 (Exclusive)
“The storytelling was extremely epic with the raging wildfire and Hope Valley taking the people of Benson Hills into their arms and caring for them. I thought it was a beautiful way to talk about the importance of community,” he continues. “Community has always been important to us. Hope Valley is as much of a star; the virtues and values of Hope Valley have been super important.”
He adds that he continues to appreciate the evolution of Henry Gowen (Martin Cummins). During the early days of WCTH, Henry was a “guy who was trying to kick women who lost their husbands out of their housing and later found his own personal redemption. He went from a ruthless man to tending hazelnut trees in his older age, and trying to be a good father to his son and help his son turn into a good man.”
©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Jeff Weddell
Bird is also excited that Season 13 continued to pay homage to characters of the past. For example, Jack Thornton has been gone since Season 5, which is a whole eight seasons ago. “But he is still honored in such a rich, fulfilling, and emotional way,” he says. “There are two or three good cries in every episode this season.”
Prior to WCTH, Bird was a key writer and co-executive producer on several seasons of Touched by an Angel. “When we were building [that show], every episode had to have at least one good cry,” he explains. “With When Calls the Heart, I want to continue to make content that helps people through the joys and challenges of their lives.” With romance blossoming and an engagement looming for Elizabeth (Krakow) and Nathan (McGarry), Bird explains that their story is really just beginning.
“A lot of people will talk about courtships and say that when they are finally married, the storyline is over,” he explains. “But I don’t think a potential engagement or marriage is the end to their storytelling.”
“Future seasons will focus on a show about how this couple is going to adjust to being a family now,” he teases. “I’m excited as I peek in right now for Season 14—it is as fun and epic as this season. The audience needs to buckle up and not get too comfortable with Nathan and Elizabeth—because there is more coming.”
When asked if there is a wedding on the horizon for Season 14, he slyly replies, “No comment—the writing is on the wall.” Sheesh!
Two other pivotal characters whom Bird enjoys in the series are married couple Rosemary (Pascale Hutton) and Lee (Kavan Smith) because of their evolution. Rosemary first arrived in Hope Valley as a villain who was a thorn in Elizabeth’s side.
“But Rosemary found new purpose,” he reflects. “For me, Rosemary and Lee are the glue that keeps Hope Valley together and keep us coming back for more. They are fun and funny, and fans appreciate them appearing together in their Hallmark movies.”
Related: ‘When Calls the Heart’ Star Pascale Hutton Teases Rosemary’s Bold New Role: ‘She’s in Her Prime and Glory’ (Exclusive)
He continues: “They are the Lucy and Ricky on our set. They are true comic gold. Their comic timing is so amazing, and they present such a beautiful human side to many emotional and dramatic scenes.”
He mentioned Rosemary and Lee becoming foster parents to Gwendolyn—a young girl from Benson Hills whose father was hospitalized after the fire and had no available caretaker. “I am a big fan of foster and adoption stories,” says Bird. “Two of my five children were adopted, and I know this is super necessary in our world.”
Related: ‘When Calls the Heart’ Star Kavan Smith Opens Up About Leland Becoming a Foster Parent (Exclusive)
Bird acknowledges that women have it difficult on the frontier. “I am a big fan of the idea that women—especially mothers—are the glue that keeps the world from blowing up,” he shares. “I believe they save the world every day.”
He continues: “That’s what the premise of WCTH is—a bunch of women who lost their husbands in a terrible mine disaster and had to pick up the pieces and put back the pieces of the town. Strong women having robust action in their lives. We need more women to take over things. The women are the kings of Hope Valley.”
Related: Brooke Shields on Her Joyful Return to ‘When Calls the Heart’: ‘It Felt Like Coming Home’ (Exclusive)
Season 13 also saw the return of several notable guest stars—including Melissa Gilbert, Lori Loughlinand Brooke Shields. Gilbert came to Hope Valley in Season 12 and continued into Season 13, attracting many Little House on the Prairie fans.
In Season 13, Shields returned as Charlotte—Jack Thornton’s mom and Little Jack (LJ’s) grandmother. “We see his mother getting closure over the loss of her son and caring for her grandson,” says Bird. “Jack died in Season 5, yet in the current season, his mother is visiting his grave for the first time. That was a beautiful and deeply emotional scene to hear her talking to her deceased son and it involved echoes of the past.”
Related: ‘Hope Valley: 1874’ Stars Bethany Joy Lenz & Benjamin Ayres Reveal Why the Prequel Will Be the Hearties’ New Obsession (Exclusive)
As we anticipate the Season 13 finale, Hallmark+ is premiering Hope Valley: 1874—a WCTH prequel series starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Benjamin Ayres. Bird and Landon, Jr. are executive producers. While they are not writing the new show, they do read the scripts and provide notes.
©2025 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Jeff Weddell
When asked if he could have predicted WCTH‘s success, Bird responds, “No, not at all. We believed we were making something good. We also knew that the odds were against us being successful. Because in general, it is so hard to launch a new show and find a way to break through all the noise.”
He continues: “Michael and I love all of the writers and are humbled, blessed, and amazed at how the audience has responded to these shows. With my faith and family legacy, we are trying to launch a good show that offers the kind of content that we believe in. We don’t take any of it for granted. As long as you [the Hearties and other viewers] keep showing up, we will keep making this content for you.”
From the beginning, Bird reveals that they called WCTH “the little show that could.” He adds, “It was modest, and everyone sacrificed to get it done. We were kind of stunned when it took off.”
He said there are more than two million viewers who identify as Hearties—growing from a grassroots fan base—and made WCTH the top-rated Sunday night scripted show on cable. They not only love the series, but also have become their own close-knit community.
Related: Chris McNally Teases a Rocky Road Ahead for Lucas and Edie on ‘When Calls the Heart’ (Exclusive)
In sum, Bird describes Season 13 of WCTH as epic. “What other show can say in Season 13 that it’s getting better?” he asks. “Sometimes you feel you are losing steam, but we don’t feel that way about WCTH; it’s only growing and building with each new chapter.”
The Season 13 finale of When Calls the Heart premieres tonight—Sunday, March 22 at 8/7c on Hallmark. Hope Valley: 1874 premieres on Saturday, March 21 on Hallmark+ with a new episode available every Thursday beginning on March 26.
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