When Calls the Heart threw Hearties a major curveball at the end of season 8, and it had nothing to do with Elizabeth's budding romance with Lucas.
It all started when Faith (Andrea Brooks) left everything behind, including Carson (Paul Greene) to attend medical school in Chicago. But not long after she returned to Hope Valley, Carson was offered a prestigious fellowship at John Hopkins. The catch: He'd have to relocate to Baltimore. Initially, Faith toyed with idea of following Carson to Baltimore, but she decided that it was best to stay put to make her mark in Hope Valley. All the while, she encouraged Carson to go for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, no matter what it meant for their relationship. And that's exactly what happened: Carson left, Faith stayed and Hope Valley was forever changed.
While they haven't shied away from mentioning Carson's absence on season 9, it's still unclear if he'll be back in later episodes — or if he's gone for good. Based on Paul's interview with the Bubbly Sesh podcast, it sounds like he's just as uncertain as the rest of us. "It’s hard to say. A lot can happen in the off-season," he shared. "There’s a big time jump in between seasons. Faith’s character became a doctor in the off-season. There’s so much that can happen … I have no idea what’s going on."
But still, he's not losing hope. Leading up to the season 9 premiere, he retweeted a fan who mentioned that they want Hallmark Channel "to bring him back for season 9." He also retweeted another fan who said they "hope to see the Doc return to make a few more hearts skip a beat." Aside from a few retweets here and there, the actor has remained relatively quiet about his absence, even refraining from posting any specific messages about the show's new season.
For Hearties' sake, let's hope Carson comes back to Hope Valley before the season ends. Or if we're lucky enough to get a tenth season, maybe Carson will make an epic return. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, right?!
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
