"MOUNTIES" ARE BACK New Canadian TV Series to Feature Royal Northwest Mounted Police

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE "MOUNTIES" ARE BACK New Canadian TV series to feature Royal Northwest Mounted Police Vancouver, BC — Remember those dashing red uniforms and handsome men on horses? Well, a new television series currently filming in B.C. is bringing "Mounties" back. Based on Janette Oke’s bestselling Canadian book series, When Calls the Heart chronicles the story of Elizabeth Thatcher (Army Wives’ Erin Krakow), a young teacher who is uprooted from her high society life, and unto a classroom post in a 1910s century coal town in the Western Frontier. There, she encounters not only the harsh climate and restless students, but also the town’s new Constable, the handsome Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing). A true Canadian literary hero. The series also features Veteran TV actress, Emmy-nominee Lori Loughlin ("Full House," "90210"), with guest stars Jack Wagner and James Brolin joining the cast. “I'm so blessed that my book series has won over many hearts around the world,” says Oke, “But because the story is set on the Canadian prairie, itself a character with unique personal flavour, 'When Calls the Heart' forever belongs to Canadians. It is incredibly exciting to see my novels come to life through this new TV series, and I can’t wait to share the TV version of our rich Canadian history with a new viewing audience.” Becoming a Mountie, however, isn’t just as simple as donning a Red Serge uniform. Australian-born actor Daniel Lissing had to tap into his inner-Mountie by doing a lot of research. "I was already familiar with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,” says Lissing, “To prepare for this role, I did a lot of online research, read a lot about their history and took horse riding lessons to help make my character believable. There’s a lot to admire in terms of their dedication and bravery. The RCMP have always dealt with tough circumstances… I admire that too". The production also had to receive special permission from the RCMP to use their likeness. Going beyond the call of duty, When Calls the Heart has also made a donation to the RCMP Foundation, a charitable fund that supports Canadian youth at risk, with more than 750 programs to date. The production will also film a humour- laced public service announcement starring the show’s lead character. Shot entirely in British Columbia, When Calls the Heart is about to wrap production on the first 12 episodes in season one. The show features a mostly Canadian cast that, in addition to Horsdal, includes two-time Leo nominee Steve Bacic ("Republic of Doyle," "Big Love"), Genie-winner Martin Cummins ("Eureka," "V"), and Charlotte Hegele (“Bomb Girls”). The series is produced by Canadians Vicki Sotheran and Greg Malcolm, exec produced by Michael Shepard, written by Ken Craw ("Heartland," "Robson Arms"), Vanessa Parise (Jack and Jill vs. the World) and Brian Bird ("Touched by an Angel," "Step by Step"), and will be directed by Genie-award winner and Canadian filmmaking legend, Anne Wheeler, as well as Emmy-nominee Neill Fearnley ("R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour", "Arctic Air"), and Michael Landon Jr. “When Calls the Heart” is set to premiere in Canada on Super Channel in spring 2014. But the heroism and bravery of the Mounties will be seen beyond just Canada. The series already has distribution broadcast deals in place around the world, including France, Italy, Spain and the Hallmark Channel in the U.S., where it has already set ratings records with DVR appointment viewing. ### .

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