Erin Krakow Reflects on the Real-Life Romances on theWhen Calls The HeartSet: 'Magic in Hope Valley' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Erin Krakow.Photo:Paul Archuleta/GettyLove is in the air on the set ofWhen Calls the Heart— both on-screen and off.StarErin Krakowhas a theory about why real-life love stories blossom so often on the set of theHallmark Channelhit.“I think there’s just always been a bit of magic in Hope Valley,” Krakow, 39, tells PEOPLE ahead of the show’s season 11 premiere on April 7. “There’s something so special about our show and the energy in Jamestown [British Columbia, Canada], where we shoot.“TheBlind Date Book Clubstar made her romance with costar Ben RosenbaumInstagram-officialin February, posting a photo of herself kissing him on the cheek. The couple was bundled up as they posed in front of a city skyline.Krakow captioned the photo with a simple anatomically correct heart emoji.She plays series lead, schoolteacher Elizabeth Thornton, on the early 20th century-set drama while Rosenbaum, 37, has played Hope Valley resident Mike Hickham (who eventually became the mayor) since the end ofWhen Calls the Heart’sfirst season, when the show’s fictional town was still called Coal Valley.The couple’s costars Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace, who play Nathan Grant and Fiona Miller on the show, respectively,announced their engagement in 2022after firstconfirming they were datingin 2020. Krakow and Rosenbaum joined them in New York City to celebrate when it happened.McGarry, 39, plays Krakow’s potential love interest while Wallace’s character Fiona is a telephone operator turned barbershop owner.The Heartie magic extends beyond romance though, according to Krakow.“Things like we’ll have a scene that’s really important that we’re to film outside and it’s been pouring all day. And then miraculously, the rain just stops and we’re able to make it through,” theArmy Wivesalum explains.“And I know that’s not the most romantic illustration of what makes Hope Valley magical, but I do think there’s just something special about the show and the people involved,” Krakow continues. “When you put a bunch of special people together in one place, connections are bound to be made.“Kevin McGarry and Erin Krakow on ‘When Calls the Heart’.Ricardo Hubbs/Hallmark MediaA fictional love connection is bound to become even stronger onWhen Calls the Heartas the drama returns for season 11. Elizabeth recently ended her engagement with Lucas Bouchard (Chris McNally) because she wanted to stay in Hope Valley, though he’d been elected governor of Union City.Ideally, that means her heart is open to giving in to the love she has been denying she feels for Nathan. Still, Krakow tells PEOPLE that Hearties still have to endure as the potential pair “dance” around their feelings.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.When Calls the Heartreturns Sunday, April 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Channel.

Erin Krakow.Photo:Paul Archuleta/Getty

Paul Archuleta/Getty

Love is in the air on the set ofWhen Calls the Heart— both on-screen and off.StarErin Krakowhas a theory about why real-life love stories blossom so often on the set of theHallmark Channelhit.“I think there’s just always been a bit of magic in Hope Valley,” Krakow, 39, tells PEOPLE ahead of the show’s season 11 premiere on April 7. “There’s something so special about our show and the energy in Jamestown [British Columbia, Canada], where we shoot.“TheBlind Date Book Clubstar made her romance with costar Ben RosenbaumInstagram-officialin February, posting a photo of herself kissing him on the cheek. The couple was bundled up as they posed in front of a city skyline.Krakow captioned the photo with a simple anatomically correct heart emoji.She plays series lead, schoolteacher Elizabeth Thornton, on the early 20th century-set drama while Rosenbaum, 37, has played Hope Valley resident Mike Hickham (who eventually became the mayor) since the end ofWhen Calls the Heart’sfirst season, when the show’s fictional town was still called Coal Valley.The couple’s costars Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace, who play Nathan Grant and Fiona Miller on the show, respectively,announced their engagement in 2022after firstconfirming they were datingin 2020. Krakow and Rosenbaum joined them in New York City to celebrate when it happened.McGarry, 39, plays Krakow’s potential love interest while Wallace’s character Fiona is a telephone operator turned barbershop owner.The Heartie magic extends beyond romance though, according to Krakow.“Things like we’ll have a scene that’s really important that we’re to film outside and it’s been pouring all day. And then miraculously, the rain just stops and we’re able to make it through,” theArmy Wivesalum explains.“And I know that’s not the most romantic illustration of what makes Hope Valley magical, but I do think there’s just something special about the show and the people involved,” Krakow continues. “When you put a bunch of special people together in one place, connections are bound to be made.“Kevin McGarry and Erin Krakow on ‘When Calls the Heart’.Ricardo Hubbs/Hallmark MediaA fictional love connection is bound to become even stronger onWhen Calls the Heartas the drama returns for season 11. Elizabeth recently ended her engagement with Lucas Bouchard (Chris McNally) because she wanted to stay in Hope Valley, though he’d been elected governor of Union City.Ideally, that means her heart is open to giving in to the love she has been denying she feels for Nathan. Still, Krakow tells PEOPLE that Hearties still have to endure as the potential pair “dance” around their feelings.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.When Calls the Heartreturns Sunday, April 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Channel.

Love is in the air on the set ofWhen Calls the Heart— both on-screen and off.

StarErin Krakowhas a theory about why real-life love stories blossom so often on the set of theHallmark Channelhit.

“I think there’s just always been a bit of magic in Hope Valley,” Krakow, 39, tells PEOPLE ahead of the show’s season 11 premiere on April 7. “There’s something so special about our show and the energy in Jamestown [British Columbia, Canada], where we shoot.”

TheBlind Date Book Clubstar made her romance with costar Ben RosenbaumInstagram-officialin February, posting a photo of herself kissing him on the cheek. The couple was bundled up as they posed in front of a city skyline.

Krakow captioned the photo with a simple anatomically correct heart emoji.

She plays series lead, schoolteacher Elizabeth Thornton, on the early 20th century-set drama while Rosenbaum, 37, has played Hope Valley resident Mike Hickham (who eventually became the mayor) since the end ofWhen Calls the Heart’sfirst season, when the show’s fictional town was still called Coal Valley.

The couple’s costars Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace, who play Nathan Grant and Fiona Miller on the show, respectively,announced their engagement in 2022after firstconfirming they were datingin 2020. Krakow and Rosenbaum joined them in New York City to celebrate when it happened.

McGarry, 39, plays Krakow’s potential love interest while Wallace’s character Fiona is a telephone operator turned barbershop owner.

The Heartie magic extends beyond romance though, according to Krakow.

“Things like we’ll have a scene that’s really important that we’re to film outside and it’s been pouring all day. And then miraculously, the rain just stops and we’re able to make it through,” theArmy Wivesalum explains.

“And I know that’s not the most romantic illustration of what makes Hope Valley magical, but I do think there’s just something special about the show and the people involved,” Krakow continues. “When you put a bunch of special people together in one place, connections are bound to be made.”

Kevin McGarry and Erin Krakow on ‘When Calls the Heart’.Ricardo Hubbs/Hallmark Media

Ricardo Hubbs/Hallmark Media

A fictional love connection is bound to become even stronger onWhen Calls the Heartas the drama returns for season 11. Elizabeth recently ended her engagement with Lucas Bouchard (Chris McNally) because she wanted to stay in Hope Valley, though he’d been elected governor of Union City.

Ideally, that means her heart is open to giving in to the love she has been denying she feels for Nathan. Still, Krakow tells PEOPLE that Hearties still have to endure as the potential pair “dance” around their feelings.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When Calls the Heartreturns Sunday, April 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Channel.

source: people.com