Bethany Joy Lenz & Benjamin Ayres Tease the Appeal of Hope Valley: 1874 and Their Complicated Relationship

One of the best parts of Hallmark+’s Hope Valley: 1874 is how the series explores survival on the frontier through the eyes of different characters.

It’s mainly about Rebecca Clarke and how she’s trying to survive as she and her young daughter, Sarah, travel out west, and end up needing assistance from rancher Tom Moore.

In the interview below, Bethany Joy Lenz and Benjamin Ayres discuss the appeal of frontier dramas, Rebecca and Tom’s complicated relationship dynamics, and more.

The Appeal of Frontier Dramas

Both Lenz and Ayres had dreamed of being in a period piece Western since they were children.

Lenz loved the costumes and riding horses, so she was ecstatic, and Ayres always wanted to play a rancher in a Western.

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Hope Valley: 1874 also appealed to Lenz because this frontier journey was about something bigger than them, and they told such a meaningful story.

She also praised her young co-star, Mila Morgan (Sarah), for being so resilient, sturdy, and perfect for the part.

Lenz added that she thought frontier dramas were coming back in 2026 because people craved discomfort, whereas before they tried to avoid it.

She thought it built character because you helped people, made sacrifices for your community, and often came out stronger.

People crave watching that more now.

A Time for Change

Hope Valley: 1874 is about change and acceptance, but that’s challenging with Rebecca on the run, and Tom stuck in his ways bout the prospectors hunting for gold.

Ayres admitted that Tom has a history with the prospectors, and he doesn’t want them on his land. He thinks of them as annoying pests.

He added he hates that they’re blasting dynamite or scaring his cattle.

He’s dealt with them, and they only care about getting rich fast, so he’d hoped they would disappear after that.

However, Rebecca is now intent on building a boardinghouse to offer them more stability and comfort.

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Ayres grudgingly admitted that maybe, once Tom got to know some of the prospectors, they might not be so bad, and that it was time for a season of change.

Hope Valley: 1874 Will Allow for the Slow-burn to Grow

Rebecca and Tom’s relationship is complicated but fun, and Lenz is grateful they’ll have time to let it develop naturally, since Hope Valley: 1874 is a series, not a film.

She added that even when Tom irritates Rebecca, she trusts him. He’s never mishandled Rebecca since many women back then were used to being handled.

He’s always direct, and she appreciates that and can tell that he respects her, too. They’re both decent people trying to make it in the world.

Ayres likes to consider what kinds of issues they would have had if there hadn’t been the boarding house between them, on opposite sides.

He teases that they had an instant spark, but they’re denying it because they have too many other problems in their lives, and it’ll make the slow burn more fun.

There Are a Multitude of Relationships for Viewers to Connect with

Besides Tom and Rebecca’s relationships, viewers may also enjoy other romantic relationships, including young love and even mature love.

Both Lenz and Ayres added that the series’ core remained about powerful friendships and mother-daughter relationships.

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There should be rich relationships that allow people to respond almost immediately.

Watch the entire interview with Bethany Joy Lenz and Benjamin Ayres in the video below.

 Don’t miss our additional coverage of Hope Valley: 1874 as the season continues.

Hope Valley: 1874 premieres on Hallmark+ on Saturday, March 21 at 3:01 am ET, with the remaining episodes dropping weekly on Thursdays at the same time.

Will you be watching? Let us know in the comments below!

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