Watch When Hope Calls
- TV-G
- 2019
- 2 Seasons
-
7.8 (1,066)
When Hope Calls is a new series from Hallmark Movies Now, a streaming service that specializes in heartwarming family-friendly programming. This show is a spin-off of the popular Hallmark Channel series When Calls the Heart, and it follows two sisters who were orphaned as children and separated for many years. Lillian (Morgan Kohan) and Grace (Jocelyn Hudon) are reunited as adults and open an orphanage in a small town called Brookfield. When Hope Calls is set in the early 20th century, in the years leading up to World War I. The show is full of beautiful period costumes and settings, and it captures a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time. Despite the challenges of running an orphanage on the frontier, Lillian and Grace are determined to provide a safe and loving home for the children in their care. The two sisters have very different personalities, which provides some interesting dynamics between them. Lillian is practical and level-headed, while Grace is more impulsive and emotional. They are both committed to their work at the orphanage, but their interpersonal conflicts make for compelling drama. The show also includes a number of interesting side characters, including Chuck (Ryan-James Hatanaka), a handsome mountie who catches Lillian's eye. Chuck is a kind and honorable man, but he struggles with PTSD from his experiences in the Boer War. Wendy Crewson rounds out the cast as Tess, the wealthy widow who owns the local hotel. Tess is initially skeptical of Lillian and Grace's orphanage, but she also has a secret connection to the sisters that is slowly revealed over the course of the season. When Hope Calls is a show that is full of heart, but it doesn't shy away from dark themes. The orphans in Lillian and Grace's care have often suffered abuse or neglect, and the show doesn't sugarcoat the trauma that these children have experienced. However, it also emphasizes the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and the ways in which love and kindness can transform lives. One of the show's strengths is its attention to detail. The sets and costumes are impeccably designed, and the show does an excellent job of recreating the look and feel of a small frontier town. It also includes a number of historical details, such as the changing roles of women in this era and the impact of the war on Canadian society. Overall, When Hope Calls is a charming and heartfelt show that will appeal to fans of Hallmark Channel programming. Its themes of family, love, and redemption are universal, and its setting in the early 20th century adds an extra layer of nostalgia and romance. With compelling characters and well-crafted storytelling, this spin-off is sure to be a hit with viewers.