First Look: 'When Calls the Heart' Season 12 Premiere Brings Big Change to Hope Valley

Christmas might be just a few days away, but Hearties are already looking beyond the festive yuletide to Jan. 5, when Season 12 of When Calls the Heart premieres. While we’ve been awaiting new episodes, Hearties have been able to see some of their favorite Hope Valley actors in Christmas movies this year. Erin Krakow and Daniel Lissing starred in Santa Tell Me, Chris McNally starred in Holiday Crashers, and Kevin McGarry starred in A Reason for the Season. Meanwhile, both Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith starred in a new mystery series, Nellie Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement on Hallmark Mystery.

As we impatiently wait for Season 12, here’s a little catchup on Season 11 and what we know so far about the season premiere.

What happened in the Season 11 finale of When Calls the Heart?

In the Season 11 finale, Mike (Ben Rosenbaum) and Mei (Amanda Wong) got married and headed off for their honeymoon. Things were looking up for Nathan (McGarry) and Elizabeth (Krakow) as they finally made their feelings known to each other. Before they could renew their newfound passion with a kiss, they were interrupted by Superintendent Hargraves (David James Lewis), Nathan’s boss at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. With the hotel plans nixed, Lee (Kavan Smith) pitches Gov. Bouchard (Chris McNally) another idea—a national park, but to set the plans in motion would mean Lee would need to be in Capital City more often than not.

What happens in the Season 12 premiere episode of When Calls the Heart?

In “The Mountie Way,” the Season 12 premiere of When Calls the Heart, Elizabeth receives a sentimental surprise in time for Little Jack’s (Hyland Goodrich) first day of school while Nathan is tasked with training Oliver (Jacob Shoemay), a new Mountie cadet. Plus, Rosemary (Pascale Hutton) and Lee (Smith) make a landmark decision. 

Meanwhile, a new school year begins which means new students including Little Jack and Lily (Chloe McKinnon) and senior year for a few, including Angela (Vienna Leacock), who is contemplating her college options. Also. a comic book wave hits Hope Valley.

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When does Season 12 of When Calls the Heart premiere?

Season 12 When Calls the Heart will premiere on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 9 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel and will be available to stream the next day on Hallmark+.

Related: The Burning Questions You Need to Know About When Calls the Heart Season 11

Does Parade have a sneak peek from season finale of When Calls the Heart?

We will soon! Check back here for updates.

Take a look at images from the first episode of Season 12 of When Calls the Heart

Check out select images from the Season 12 premiere of When Calls the Heart in the gallery below.

Next, When Calls the Heart Is Officially Returning for Season 12