SWEEPING ROMANCE AND THRILLING ADVENTURE RETURN IN A SPECIAL TWO-HOUR SEASON 2 PREMIERE ON APRIL 4 OF HALLMARK CHANNEL'S ORIGINAL PRIMETIME SERIES "WHEN CALLS THE HEART"

Series Stars Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing

Jack Wagner Becomes a Series Regular

Kristina Wagner Joins The Cast

The sweeping frontier drama that captured legions of loyal viewers in its first season, Hallmark Channel's Original Primetime Series "When Calls the Heart," will return in a very special, two-hour Season 2 World Premiere Event, April 4th (9 pm ET/PT, 8C). The enchanting romance, adventure and drama of the beloved 19th century mining town Coal Valley continues in Season 2, featuring the return of series stars Lori Loughlin ("Full House," "90210"), Erin Krakow ("Army Wives"), Daniel Lissing ("Last Resort") and Jack Wagner becomes a series regular ("The Bold and the Beautiful"). Kristina Wagner ("General Hospital") joins the cast in the third episode of season 2. The highly anticipated and long-awaited season premiere of the series, based on the bestselling series of books by Janette Oke, will follow the residents of the Western Frontier mining town Coal Valley as they navigate matters of the heart during uncertain times in the wake of the mine disaster investigation.

"Our amazing fans have proven their loyalty and devotion to the endearing characters and riveting stories of 'When Calls the Heart' with remarkable ratings and outstanding social media engagement throughout Season 1," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming, Crown Media Family Networks. "We promise more great stories, great romance and great drama in the second season of this beloved, original series."

In the Season 2 premiere, Young schoolteacher Elizabeth Thatcher (Krakow) and Mountie Jack Thornton (Lissing) are just starting to build on their relationship. But when Elizabeth gets bad news from home, she must return to the wealthy, high-society life she left behind, where her feelings for Jack will be put to the test. The hard-working and kind-hearted citizens of Coal Valley are facing turmoil as they await justice for the coal mining tragedy, just as new romance heats up on the frontier. In Coal Valley, café owner and widow Abigail Stanton (Loughlin) nervously awaits the trial that she hopes will clear her late husband's name in the fault of the mine explosion that took his life. Emotions run high and long-kept secrets will be revealed as she works with a surprising new prosecutor, and with forensic investigator, Mountie Bill Avery (Wagner), who is hiding something from his past that could jeopardize their own romantic future.

Hallmark Channel's Original Primetime Series "When Calls the Heart" is a Believe Pictures and Brad Krevoy Television production. Brad Krevoy, Tony Blake, Robin Bernheim, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., and Michael Shepard are executive producers. Eric Jarboe and Neill Fearnley are co-executive producers. Based on the novel by Janette Oke.