It was a big night for fans of the Hallmark Channel. The network hosted its 2019 Winter TCA event in Pasadena, CA.
First up, Hallmark Channel announces it has renewed the network’s hit, original series Chesapeake Shores for a fourth season.
Airing on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT, Chesapeake Shores was one of Hallmark Channel’s most-watched original series and joins the network’s other primetime scripted shows as a top five-rated series on Sunday nights.
Production on six episodes for season four is scheduled to commence this year for a season four premiere Summer 2019. The announcement was made today as part of Crown Media Family Networks’ bi-annual Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour.
Based on the novels of the same name by New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods, the series stars Jesse Metcalfe (“Dallas”), Meghan Ory (“Once Upon a Time”), Golden Globe® nominee Treat Williams (“Everwood,” Hair), Academy Award® nominee Diane Ladd (Wild at Heart), Barbara Niven (“Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove”), Laci J. Mailey (“Falling Skies”),Emilie Ullerup (“Sanctuary”), Brendan Penny (“Motive”) and Andrew Francis (“Final Destination 3”).
Next up, When Hope Calls, Crown Media Family Networks’ first-ever streaming series, will premiere August 2019 on Hallmark Movies Now, the network’s digital streaming service.
The series is spawned from Hallmark Channel’s longest-running, most-watched primetime series to date, When Calls the Heart, currently entering its sixth season.
When Hope Calls follows Lillian (Morgan Kohan) and Grace (Jocelyn Hudon), sisters who were orphaned and raised very differently, as they reunite as adults and open an orphanage in a small Northwest town in the early 1900s.
The town and its people are on the cusp of change, transitioning from the simple times of the horse and buggy to the more modern times of cars and technology. The characters were introduced in the 2018 ratings record-breaker, “When Calls the Heart: The Greatest Christmas Blessing.”
And finally, Good Witch returns for more magical adventures in the bucolic burb of Middleton when season five premieres Sunday, May 5 (8.p.m. ET/PT), on Hallmark Channel.
Based on the The Good Witch movie franchise that is the most successful in the network’s history, the series stars Catherine Bell (“Army Wives,”“JAG”), Bailee Madison (Just Go with It, “Trophy Wife”) and James Denton (“Desperate Housewives,” “Devious Maids”).
Since the first movie 11 years ago, Cassie Nightingale has become a character that Hallmark Channel viewers have fallen in love with and look forward to welcoming into their homes.
“The longevity of ‘Good Witch’ is a testament to the performances of Catherine Bell and the rest of the remarkable cast, who have brought to life characters our viewers look forward to
spending time with,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. “There are exciting changes in store this season as
our characters’ lives evolve and we can’t wait for fans to go on the journey with them.”