Brooke Shields is coming back to Hope Valley. 

Shields will reprise her role as Charlotte Thornton in three episodes of When Calls the Heart Season 13, Hallmark Channel announced on Thursday. The actor last appeared on the wholesome period drama in 2016.

Brooke Shields is ‘so happy’ about ‘When Calls the Heart’ return

“Charlotte Thornton is back,” Shields said in an announcement shared on Hallmark’s Instagram. “I’m so happy to return to When Calls the Heart this all-new season.” 

Shields was only seen in two season 3 episodes of When Calls the Heart, but she made a memorable impression as Jack Thornton’s (Daniel Lissing) mother. She arrived in Hope Valley on horseback to check in on her Mountie son. She also met Jack’s future wife, Elizabeth (Erin Krakow).

Jack and Elizabeth married in season 5, but Charlotte did not attend the wedding. Soon after, Jack died in a training accident. A few months later, Elizabeth gave birth to their son, Little Jack (Hyland Goodrich).  

‘When Calls the Heart’ Season 12 finale set up Charlotte Thornton’s return 

While it’s been some time since WCTH fans have seen Charlotte, her return doesn’t come as a total shock. In season 12, she reached out to her daughter-in-law after learning of her grandson’s diabetes diagnosis. Charlotte, who now runs a boardinghouse in Cape Fullerton, told Elizabeth that there was a new insulin lab in town, where Little Jack could get treatment. 

After a frightening incident where Jack’s insulin wasn’t properly refrigerated in transit to Hope Valley, Elizabeth decided to abruptly leave town and bring her son to Cape Fullerton so he could receive the medical care he needed. The season 12 finale ended with Elizabeth, Jack, her new love interest Nathan Grant (Kevin McGarry), and his adopted daughter Allie (Jaeda Lily Miller) all traveling to Cape Fullerton. 

Erin Krakow says Brooke Shields is ‘a dream to work with’ 

Shields told People that Little Jack’s health crisis gives her character a chance to tell her son’s child about his father. Viewers will also see how Charlotte has changed over the past 10 years. 

“What’s been difficult is just adapting to 1922 from where I was because the jump is just so extreme,” Shields said. “But we’re also seeing Charlotte evolve, which has been interesting. We create a path for her to modernize.”

Krakow, who is also an executive producer on When Calls the Heart, said she’s thrilled to welcome Shields back to the show. 

“I have been crazily wanting to get Brooke back on When Calls the Heart for years,” she said. “I am so excited we were able to make the timing work. She is a dream to work with.”

When Calls the Heart is streaming on Hallmark+. Season 13 will premiere sometime in 2026.  

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