WARNING: This article contains some spoilers for When Calls the Heart season 7. Read at your own risk.
When Calls the Heart season 8 is still a couple of months away from arriving, but fans have been getting updates on what to expect in the Hallmark Channel series. New characters are coming in the latest installment, and the latest sneak peek introduces Viv Leacock's, Joseph Canfield.
It has been confirmed that When Calls the Heart season 8 will introduce the Canfield family. They're going to be the newest additions in Hope Valley. Aside from Joseph, the Canfields include matriarch Minnie (Natasha Burnett), daughter Angela and son Cooper.
Angela and Cooper are played by Leacock's real-life kids, Vienna and Elias, respectively. The recent sneak peek featured the arrival of Joseph. The clip begins with Elizabeth Thornton (Erin Krakow) giving Robert (Jaiven Natt) a horseback-riding lesson. However, the situation goes a bit sideways.
Robert's horse runs out of control, prompting Elizabeth to go after him. The two went past through Joseph, who has just arrived in Hope Valley and seems surprised with what he witnessed. For now, it's yet to be seen how he, along with his family, interact with the rest of the people in the town.
The sneak peek didn't tease what else is coming in When Calls the Heart season 8. Yet, Elizabeth's complicated love life is going to be at the front and center of the story once the series returns. She's in the middle of a love triangle, with Lucas (Chris McNally) and Nathan (Kevin McGarry) vying for her heart.
The early run of the upcoming installment will focus on this particular storyline. In season 7, Nathan was almost shot, and this incident could lead to some changes, especially where Elizabeth's heart truly lies. Both men are competing for her attention, and it's interesting to see whom she'll eventually choose.
Krakow has been teasing what fans can expect, with more romance coming in When Calls the Heart season 8. Also, series creator Brian Bird previously shared a cryptic post on Twitter, hinting at what's coming in this complicated love triangle.
Bird wrote, "decisions get made in Hope Valley," suggesting that everything comes down to Elizabeth's choice. Fans seem to be divided on who they want her to end up with, so viewers may have to wait for the new installment to find out who's going to win her heart in the end.
When Calls the Heart season 8 premieres on Sunday, February 21, 2021, on Hallmark Channel.
