Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert to make her debut on Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart.
Melissa Gilbert, famous for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie, was announced as a guest star for Season 12 of Hallmark’s long-running series When Calls the Heart earlier this month at the annual Hearties Family Reunion in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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According to Deadline, Gilbert will appear in a two-episode arc in the upcoming season, set to premiere in 2025. She will play the character Georgie McGill, who “shares a surprising past with one special Hope Valley resident.”
But it’s not just Melissa Gilbert’s character who has a past with someone in When Calls the Heart—she also has a special real-life link to the show. The series’ executive producer is Michael Landon Jr., the son of Michael Landon, who famously played “Pa” (Charles Ingalls) on Little House on the Prairie.
In fact, the opportunity for Melissa Gilbert to guest star on When Calls the Heart came about when she and Michael Landon Jr. reconnected at the Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion and Festival in March.
Fans Get First Look at Melissa Gilbert on the Set of When Calls the Heart.
In a photo shared on Instagram, Melissa Gilbert is seen for the first time with her When Calls the Heart co-stars. She stands beside Erin Krakow, who portrays the show’s lead character, Elizabeth Thatcher, as they share a laugh together.
“Just a couple of prairie girls,” Krakow wrote in the photos caption. “Grateful and honored [Melissa Gilbert] has joined us in Hope Valley! Total pro, so down to earth, sweet as pie – and fun at parties,” she added jokingly.
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Season 12 of When Calls the Heart will feature 12 episodes and is set to premiere in 2025. However, the official release date has not yet been announced.