When Calls the Heart – Hallmark Channel

Have you heard of the “Hearties”? If not, let us fill you in on one of the most passionate fan bases in all of television. This group owes its devotion to a series that proves it’s possible to draw a loyal audience without pushing the envelope or forcing parents to change the channel every time the kids enter the living room. The show’s uplifting stories, set in the aptly named Hope Valley, dance with themes ranging from forgiveness to redemption to the collective fortitude required to hold a community together. The most recent plot—involving a pastor who changes his name to hide his criminal past, drawing at first condemnation and later understanding—is a perfect example of how this series invites its audience to find their better angels.