Before the Big Dance Tonight...

My grateful reflection on WCTH's history of show runners & writers

I feel like writing a different kind of post as I sit here, excited for tonight’s episode. I thought I’d take you down a bit of a rabbit hole with me while we wait.

I’m pretty sure tonight’s episode is going to be a BIG one. 

Why? 

Lindsay Sturman (our fearless show runner now for two seasons) wrote it along with a brand new writer named Tunette Powell. NOTE: The only other episode Lindsay (with Beth Stewart) wrote this season was Episode 1 for Season 11 to welcome us back and set the tone. That should tell us something.

I was curious about our new writer and so I looked her up. And what I found was fascinating!! Listen to what Tunette herself has to say on a Linked In post…

This show just keeps getting better and better in all the ways! On and off the screen. I’ve been loving all the interviews with our beloved WCTH writers from many seasons AND getting to know these newcomers as well. (Did you listen to the Heart to Hearties interview with Dana Brawer? She helped Beth Stewart write episode 6 with Elizabeth taking on Mr. Higgins– which blew us all away!)

Back to Tunette Powell, tonight’s co-writer– she’s in education, she’s a poet (!) and now a TV writer?? I can not wait to see her debut– what Tunette and Lindsay collaborated on to create for us. I have a feeling it’s going to be amazing. 

I’ve heard it’s typical for Show runners to write the first and sometimes the last episodes. But for this season (11) Beth Stewart has written episode 12. What an honor! Although I’m not surprised based on her history with the show and what a powerhouse she is (we’ll see this clearly in a bit as we list all her work.) 

So I’m wondering what all will be happening tonight for it to warrant Lindsay’s special touch? What is so special about this Episode 8? It feels like part two of last week, but if our show runner is involved there’s got to be a good reason.

• Maybe the Choir Festival since it has so many moving parts and characters involved? I can not wait for the music and the costumes.

• We know she loves a good redemption story (like Henry) so maybe it’s helping Tom solve the mess created last episode, giving him a second chance since he chose to stay and not run. Showing him that others believe he can do great things, even if Jack is gone. He’s loved and supported– the Hope Valley way. 

• And both women writers will help bring resolution I hope to Joseph’s brother finally coming to town. I love this storyline that’s been woven with the Canfield’s. Many fans can probably relate to rifts in their own families and hopes that someday there’ll be healing. 

• Or maybe it’s that long-awaited dance between Elizabeth and Nathan? The sneak peeks of the setting and their smiles are just gorgeous.

YOUR TURN TO TALK: What do you think Lindsay and Tunette might have up their sleeve? What are you most excited about for tonight’s episode 8? 

Want to take an even deeper dive into Showrunners and Writers through the WCTH years? I took some notes and made some observations I thought might be fun to share. Maybe you have more to add? DISCLAIMER– I used Wikipedia since it was all right there at my fingertips. I’m not totally sure how accurate it is. But probably enough for this type of pattern-finding and guessing. Shrug.

SEASON 1

• Michael Landon Jr. co-wrote the first episode and Brian Bird wrote the second. I believe that they were both the Show Runners as well.

• Only one writer (Ken LaZenik) wrote 2 episodes on his own. 

• Neal and Tippi Dobrofsky wrote the penultimate and finale episodes together. 

• So there were 12 different writers involved creating the original world of Coal Valley and Elizabeth’s arrival and acclimation to town. 

SEASON 2

• Only Neal and Tippi Dobrofsky are the only writers listed as returning from that original season, although Michael Landon Jr. and Brian Bird were still heavily involved as the Show Runners again.

• Robin Bermheim Burger wrote 3 episodes on her own and Tony Blake wrote 2. 

• Tony Blake also co-wrote one with Derek Thompson.

• Derek who still writes for WCTH also wrote half of 2 other episodes that season. 

• We are starting to see more consistent writers or a team forming– now there are only 6 different writers. Half of what they had in Season 1. 

• Robin also wrote the first Special. (I loved those!)

SEASON 3

• Derek is back and writes the first episode plus another. 

• There are 2 other writers (Richard Manning and Josef Anderson) who write 2 each as well. 

• Robin starts as the Show Runner and co-writes one with Richard Manning and writes the next Special too. (Now I want to go back and watch these!)

• Still 6 main writers for this season. 2 other writers (Cynthia J. Cohen and Paul Jackson) have just 1 each. 

• Also Daniel who plays Jack on the show talks about wanting to leave.

SEASON 4

• Cynthia and Paul must have worked well together because they co-write 4 episodes (including the finale and the next special). 

• There’s another new writer named Charles Lazer that writes 2 himself.

• Robin returns as Show Runner and writes just 1 with Derek and Richard Manning both writing 2 each so there’s continuity from the season before. 

• Still 6 main writers.

• Daniel as Jack has a few episodes and they begin to plan to write him off completely in S5.

SEASON 5

• Alfonso Moreno is brought in to help figure out what to do. This is a huge change for the show (and many early Hearties are understandably upset).

• Derek comes in clutch and writes episode one and the finale, plus another. 3 total!

• Beth Stewart also arrives on the scene (and continues to write amazing stories for us today) and she writes 3 other episodes. Talk about jumping in with both feet!

• A writer named Paco Cleveland contributes 2 and the dream team of Cynthia and Paul from the season before pitches in 2 of their own. 

• So we have 5 writers technically, but I’m guessing Alfonso was helping a lot with all the big transitions and he wrote that year’s Christmas special. Busy guy!

SEASON 6

• Alfonso’s contract as show runner is renewed. And he writes episode one to set the tone. We also know from interviews that he created and envisioned (with others) the incredible characters of Fiona, Nathan and Lucas that arrive this season to shake things up. 

• Beth wrote episode 2 and Derek episode 3. 

• Then things got really interesting, I’m guessing. The actress, Lori Loughlin, got into some trouble and had to be written off the show. The way I heard it, they had to pause the show to rewrite and refilm because of this. Correct me if I’m wrong on any of this. 

• So a new writer, Annie Brunner, wrote episode 4 and co-wrote episode 5 with Alfonso. 

• The rest of the season is all done in pairs and episode 7 is two parts– either Annie and Alfonso or Derek and Beth. I’m pretty sure this was an all hands on deck situation but it turned out beautifully. This season had only 4 writers listed– 2 less than seasons before.

• This is still one of my favorite seasons, especially knowing the backstory. Alfonso and his team saved the day twice– once after “Jack died” and again after “Abigail” left town. 

SEASON 7

• So now Alfonso as show runner is hitting his groove. He writes the first episode and the last. 

• Annie returns to write 2 episodes on her own and partners with Alfonso on the other.

• Beth contributes one episode this season and Derek writes two. Beth and Derek pair up to write 2 more. They are more than carrying their weight 🙂

• Alfonso has the same exact team from Season 6– just 4 story writers including himself. I wonder if there are benefits to having just 4 versus 6 writers?  

• I believe Alfonso then left WCTH to help as the showrunner for When Hope Calls.

SEASON 8

• John Tinker became the new show runner and wrote the first 2 episodes to set a new tone and direction for WCTH. In fact, JT wrote 6 episodes– half of them. This is unprecedented! The most any other writer is listed as creating in any other season is 3.

• Derek and Beth stayed on as writers and wrote the other half of the episodes– 3 each. 

• So there were only 3 people listed as writers this season. 

SEASON 9

• John Tinker returned as show runner and again wrote half the episodes– 6 total. He also wrote the first 2 episodes and the last one, plus 3 in the middle of the season. What happens when one person writes half?

• Derek also writes 3 like he did the season before, but Beth writes just one.

• Allie Devereaux writes her first episode (Does anyone remember from her interview when she first started working on the show?)

• And interestingly enough, a WCTH director, Peter DeLuise, also writes an episode. How are some people so talented? I’m going to go back and watch Ep 5 just for this reason— wow.

• So for this season they have 5 different writers.

• There is a longer break as we wait to hear what the plans are for WCTH. 

SEASON 10

• Lindsay Sturman is announced as the new show runner and Hallmark gifts fans with two more guaranteed seasons. Not the normal way of things so we have to ask why? Must have been a pretty amazing pitch and plan.

• Lindsay writes both the first and the last episodes of this season. I’m not sure anyone watching back then could have guessed what all would change between the opening and the ending. She officially writes 3 episodes (another ⅔ way through), but of course helps with the rest. 

• Derek is back to write 3 episodes and Beth writes 2. 

• A new writer, Paul Redford, is onboarded and he contributes another 2 episodes. 

• Ayla Glass was also new and wrote 1. 

• Allie Devereaux wrote her second episode (one last season). 

• Lindsay ran a writer’s room with 6 writers, including herself, similar to earlier seasons of WCTH. 

• I believe Alfonso Moreno was also officially back to consult (show runner S5,S6,S7). I love his “formula” for what he thinks makes the show successful.

SEASON 11

• Lindsay and her team are continuing the arc they pitched and wrote when 2 seasons were green lit back to back. I’m guessing this feels pretty good.

• Here’s what’s interesting– Lindsay co-writes just 3 episodes officially. The opener and tonight’s episode 6 and 8. Now I’m sure she is doing a lot– but to me, that feels like she really trusts the writer’s room they’ve created working together over these 2 seasons. It feels like it says a lot about her leadership and style too. It must be very collaborative in nature, right?

• Beth helps Lindsay write the opening episode AND she writes the finale on her own. What an honor and compliment this must be. She also writes 2 other episodes on her own as well. Busy lady this season.

• Derek writes 2 episodes this season as well as Paul and Allie D!

• Plus we get 2 brand new to us writers co-writing with veterans as I mentioned at the beginning– Dana Brawer and Tunette Powell. 

• So there’s a total of 7 writers involved in the latest WCTH season plus Alfonso as consultant. Talk about an embarrassment of riches!

I hear people talking about the “true Hearties”-- the fans that watch the show no matter what and never stop. But here’s a special shout out to Derek and Beth who have been writing WCTH for us to enjoy for many years, through many transitions and challenges, I’m sure. We are so glad you’ve provided that continuity and care, passion and expertise!

I love the way Allie D continues to get more opportunities and how she contributed by creating “the Bible” as reference too. And look at the shows Paul has worked on and Lindsay! Plus these new writers... If episode 6 is anything to measure by, episode 8 is looking to be amazing. 

I’ve heard Lindsay, Brian and many others in their interviews talk about how creating this show is a “team sport”. It’s not one person’s effort or creativity– but many. I feel like this is evident when you look at how it’s structured.

The more I listen and read about what happens behind the scenes, the more I’m convinced that a generous, collaborative spirit is the “secret sauce” necessary to continue to build on the legacy of what’s come before in When Calls the Heart and take it into the future. Not only for amazing ratings but to tell more amazing stories that resonate with viewers like episode 6 clearly did.

I’m so glad to know we have a SEASON 12 and more stories to look forward to. But I’m honestly not surprised a bit! This show feels like coming home to family every Sunday night. It’s something you can watch and rewatch, always finding more layers and details to love.

I know the exact scene that hooked me deep. I mean, I've enjoyed the show since the beginning. But before then, I didn’t think much about it during the week. Until that “ladies choice” dance that is. It was Nathan’s glance back that got me. And Elizabeth’s face as he walked away.

I thought that I was watching an epic, slow burn, impossible romance like a Mr. Darcy and that other Elizabeth or Gilbert and Anne of Green Gables.

I’d given up hope of this ever happening after the end of S8. I just couldn’t believe it. Until another dance and the briefest of looks in S10 when the radio starts playing and Elizabeth sees Nathan and Faith dancing. That was the scene that made me start watching again! To think that there was a chance…

And now tonight– we get a real dance. With them glancing at each other, tucked in close. I might be more excited about this than their first kiss.

Seriously. 

I never thought I’d say this– but thank you John Tinker for not picking Nathan back then in S8. Thank you, because you weren’t the person who was supposed to write it. I can say this with no malice. It wasn’t the right time. And I’m sure there were reasons we’ll never know as fans for the switch. But big picture, if you couldn’t see it and fight for it, if it wasn’t clear to you, then it wasn’t yours to tell. And you wouldn’t have done it justice, if you didn’t believe it yourself.

I’m actually glad to be getting this story, now, in this way. I think I appreciate it all the more because I thought it was lost, dead, gone. But now it’s back. And it’s beautiful. Breathtaking. I don’t take it for granted.

Elizabeth and Nathan are selling this on “looks” alone. We haven’t even gotten to the rest of it.

Thank you Lindsay Sturman, Derek Thompson, Beth Stewart, Paul Redford, and Allie Devereaux. You have all mentioned in some form or fashion what is “owed” and how seriously you take your work. These stories. These characters. The way you truly collaborate and revise. And it shows. This was your story to bring back to life and you’ve offered us so many others as well. I’m beyond grateful.

To Season 12 and beyond.