The When Calls the Heart season finale sparked speculation that Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) and Nathan (Kevin McGarry) might be leaving the series after Elizabeth decided to leave Hope Valley for Little Jack’s medical treatment. With Nathan and Allie joining her, fans are left wondering about their future—and whether they’ll return next season. Here’s what you need to know.
Are Elizabeth and Nathan leaving When Calls The Heart after Season 12?
While Elizabeth and Nathan appeared to be leaving, the finale teased their potential return in a future season.
The Season 12 finale, titled “Must Be Gold,” focused on Elizabeth leaving Hope Valley to move to Cape Fullerton to get better diabetes treatment for Little Jack (Hyland Goodrich). Eventually, they are joined by Allie (Jaeda Lily Miller) and Nathan in a taxi as they head to the train station. Allie says to Elizabeth, “Family sticks together, right?” A worried Elizabeth asks Nathan how he could leave his life in Hope Valley. He replies, “We’ll figure it out. Together. Where you go, I go.”
Their conversation is followed by a kiss. While watching this scene, viewers might have started to believe they are officially leaving. However, the final voiceover leaves hope for their return. In the end, Elizabeth’s voiceover states that while uncertainty looms over their lives, they will somehow find their way back to Hope Valley. This assures fans that they might be back in Season 13.
Who else could be leaving When Calls The Heart?
Aside from Nathan and Elizabeth, the Hallmark series also teased the departure of Allie, Little Jack, and Angela Canfield.
In the season finale, Nathan, Elizabeth, and Allie move to another town for Little Jack’s treatment, suggesting their exit. But the episode also hinted at another character’s departure — Vienna Leacock’s Angela.
She graduates from secondary school in Hope Valley and plans to attend college elsewhere. During the graduation party, Allie gives her a poem as a farewell gift. She also asks Angela to keep her updated about her life “once a week.” Angela responds that she will write “once a day.”
While Angela’s fate in the show remains uncertain, the Thornton family has already teased their return. Previously, McGarry confirmed in an interview with The Official Hearties Aftershow that the family will return in Season 13, as more stories are yet to be told.
