REVIEWTelevision Show: When Hope Calls - Season 1
Network: Hallmark Channel
Original Air Date: February 23, 2020
*This series first premiered in 2019 on Hallmark's streaming service- Hallmark Movies Now. Season 1 will now air in it's entirety on the Hallmark Channel, on Sunday nights, beginning February 23rd.
"When Hope Calls" tells the story of two sisters who open an orphanage in the 1916 Western town of Brookfield. Caught between traditions of cattle ranchers and ambitions of a growing town, they strive to find romance and happiness while overcoming the challenges of helping the children in their care.
CAST:Morgan Kohan ... Lillian Walsh
Jocelyn Hudon ... Grace Bennett
Wendy Crewson ... Tess Stewart
Ryan-James Hatanaka ... Gabriel Kinslow
Greg Hovanessian ... Chuck Stewart
Jefferson Brown ... Joe Moody
Neil Crone ... Ronnie Stewart
Elizabeth Saunders ... Eleanor Winters
Marshall Williams ... Sam Tremblay
Kelly Boegel ... Ruth
Michael Copeman ... Ken Newsome
Drew Nelson ... Daniel Olsen
Liam MacDonald ... Vincent
Isaak Bailey ... Christian
Simon Webster ... Fred
Riley O’Donnell ... Helen
Kate Moyer ... Sofia
Ava Weiss ... Mary Louise
Kim Roberts ... Pearl Mayfair
Naomi Sagbein ... Alice Mayfair
Jonathan Potts ... Ben Mendelson
Josh Reich ... Ben’s son
Laurie Murdoch ... Dr. Carl Wilson
Kevin McGarry ... Mountie Nathan Grant
Pascale Hutton ... Rosemary Coulter
Kavan Smith ... Leeland "Lee" Coulter
"When Hope Calls" Storylines by Episode:Episode 1 - New Hope:Air date: February 23, 2020 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Storyline: Reunited sisters Lillian and Grace encounter resistance against their just-opened New Hope Orphanage from the townspeople of Brookfield, including Tess Stewart, who has unresolved conflict with Lillian’s family. Having recently returned to town, Constable Gabriel Clark reacquaints himself with his neighbors but suspects some may be hiding secrets. Tess’s son Chuck helps Grace when the cow she purchased from his mother fails to produce milk and admires Grace’s tenacity. When a disaster strikes in Brookfield, Lillian and Grace band with their neighbors despite considerable danger.
Photo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Episode 2 - From the Ashes: Air date: March 1, 2020 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Storyline: Grace and Lillian welcome Rosemary and Lee Coulter from Hope Valley, who are in town to help rebuild Brookfield after the fire. Gabriel investigates the cause of the fire and pursues an eyewitness report that points to two orphans. Tess’s tumultuous history with Lillian’s family complicates the mutual attraction shared by Chuck and Grace. Having lost his store in the fire, Joe considers moving. Meanwhile, nurse Maggie Parsons arrives in town, and Tess continues to feud with one of her neighbors over missing livestock.
Photo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Episode 3 - Out of the Past: Air date: March 8, 2020 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Storyline: Grace takes a second job to make money for the orphanage. Lillian tries to mend fences with Tess by sharing old photos of their families during happier times, but Tess still blames Lillian’s father for her husband’s death. Gabriel hunts for a fugitive who is suspected of setting the town fire, and uncovers a new layer to the crime. Chuck stands up for Grace at her new job, but she does not appreciate his meddling. Meanwhile, Maggie settles into her job at the infirmary.
Photo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Episode 4 - Lost and Found: Air date: March 15, 2020 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Storyline: On a mission to locate one of the orphan’s family members, Lillian sets off with Gabriel to Mountie headquarters. While there, Gabriel meets face to face with the bank robber who tried to kill him and questions him about a discrepancy in the case. Grace and Chuck spend more time together but Tess orchestrates a scenario meant to drive them apart. Maggie tries to help Joe with an old shoulder injury and soon realizes that guilt about the accident that caused it may be preventing Joe from trying to heal.
Photo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Episode 5 - A House United: Air date: March 22, 2020 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Storyline: Lillian and Grace are put to the test when a government worker arrives to inspect the orphanage and question Grace’s past. When building damages coincide with the inspector’s visit, Lillian offers Sam, a struggling prospector, room and board in exchange for handyman services. Gabriel and Chuck lend a hand with the repairs. As they spend time at the orphanage, Gabriel sizes up Sam while Chuck receives a cold shoulder from Grace. Meanwhile, Tess pauses her endeavor to buy a truck when Ronnie needs her help.
Photo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Episode 6 - The Search: Air date: March 29, 2020 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Storyline: Lillian has doubts about Sam when he bears a striking resemblance to a train robber at large. Gabriel helps Constable Nathan Grant, who is in town from Hope Valley hunting down the fugitive. Chuck stays at the orphanage as a protective measure and to spend more time with Grace. Tess interviews candidates for a new foreman but holds out hope that Chuck will eventually decide to run the family ranch. Meanwhile, Maggie makes an interesting discovery at the infirmary.
Photo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Episode 7 - Surprise: Air date: April 5, 2020 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
*Happy Palm Sunday!*
Storyline: Lillian plans a surprise party for Grace’s birthday in hopes of replacing Grace’s painful birthday memories with happy new ones. Not one for birthday celebrations, Grace puts a wrench in the surprise plans by taking on more work at the restaurant. Chuck and Tess take one of the orphans under their wings at the ranch. Gabriel pursues a witness to the bank robbery who claims that powerful people used the robbery to cover up fraud. After Sam forgives Lillian for accusing him of a crime, the two spend time together preparing a special birthday gift for Lillian—arousing Gabriel’s jealousy.
Photo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Episode 8 - About a Girl: Air date: April 12, 2020 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
*Happy Easter Sunday!*
Storyline: A friend from Grace’s past encourages Grace to follow her longstanding dream of moving to New York, while Chuck urges her to stay. Lillian locates Helen’s grandfather, but when she fails to prove that Helen is his missing granddaughter, she turns to Sam and her other friends in town for help. Gabriel’s investigation into the suspected bank fraud raises questions about how Ronnie funded his hotel. Tess tries to protect Ronnie when a criminal debt catches up with him. Meanwhile, Maggie helps a visitor who has come to Brookfield in search of wellness.
Photo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Episode 9 - House in Order:Air date: April 19, 2020 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Storyline: Lillian sets off on a mission to clear her father from blame over the town’s bridge collapse when a reporter comes to town to cover the 10th anniversary of Tess’s husband’s passing. Grace and Chuck’s relationship hits a rough patch when Grace speaks her mind, calling Chuck arrogant in the process. Gabriel continues his investigation into the bank fraud and enlists the help of Hope Valley’s Constable Nathan Grant when Tess and Ronnie meet with corrupt business associates. Meanwhile, Eleanor and Joe try to make Maggie feel more at home in Brookfield.
Photo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Episode 10 - Where Hope Goes: Air date: April 26, 2020 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Storyline: Gabriel fears for Lillian’s safety when suspects in the bank fraud case arrive to Brookfield, and reluctantly asks for Sam’s help to protect her. As Gabriel and Nathan get closer to the truth, the suspects concoct a ruthless plot to cover their tracks and turn to Tess for help. Meanwhile, Grace prepares to accompany Helen across the Atlantic to reunite with her grandfather but worries about leaving while still in a fight with Chuck. Unaware of Grace’s impending journey, Chuck heads out of town on a cattle drive.
Photo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
Review: You will feel most welcome in the western town of Brookfield, where two sisters, Lillian and Grace, have been reunited after years of separation and run an orphanage in a large, beautiful home. The towns people may not be as welcoming to the sisters, at first, but they, too, eventually see the love these sisters have for these orphaned children and they slowly begin to open their hearts. Dear friends in the community are always there to help in their time of need.
Within this first season, there is a bit of mystery when a new stranger, Sam, comes to town, heartfelt emotion as Grace celebrates her birthday with her sister, Lillian, for the first time in many years, sweet moments and surprises with the orphaned children, lots of laughs when Rosemary and Lee Coulter come to visit, plus intriguing investigations with Mountie Gabriel Kinslow and Mountie Nathan Grant, of Hope Valley, and plenty of sparks fly between Grace Bennett and the local veterinarian, Chuck Stewart. Drama develops throughout the season with all the potential romantic love interests.
"When Hope Calls" overflows with heartwarming and inspiring moments!
See or Skip: Absolutely see! "When Hope Calls" is a perfect show for the entire family!
You'll want to wrap yourself up in the quilted warmth of "When Hope Calls," with every uplifting, soul-enriching, comforting story!
Review by: Net, itsawonderfulmovie.com
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*images via: Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks
Photo Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Shane Mahood
