Erin Krakow Reflects on the Real-Life Romances on the When Calls The Heart Set: 'Magic in Hope Valley' (Exclusive)

Love is in the air on the set of When Calls the Heart — both on-screen and off.

Star Erin Krakow has a theory about why real-life love stories blossom so often on the set of the Hallmark Channel hit.

"I think there's just always been a bit of magic in Hope Valley," Krakow, 39, tells PEOPLE ahead of the show's season 11 premiere on April 7. "There's something so special about our show and the energy in Jamestown [British Columbia, Canada], where we shoot."

The Blind Date Book Club star made her romance with costar Ben Rosenbaum Instagram-official in February, posting a photo of herself kissing him on the cheek. The couple was bundled up as they posed in front of a city skyline.

Krakow captioned the photo with a simple anatomically correct heart emoji.

She plays series lead, schoolteacher Elizabeth Thornton, on the early 20th century-set drama while Rosenbaum, 37, has played Hope Valley resident Mike Hickham (who eventually became the mayor) since the end of When Calls the Heart's first season, when the show's fictional town was still called Coal Valley.

The couple's costars Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace, who play Nathan Grant and Fiona Miller on the show, respectively, announced their engagement in 2022 after first confirming they were dating in 2020. Krakow and Rosenbaum joined them in New York City to celebrate when it happened.

McGarry, 39, plays Krakow's potential love interest while Wallace's character Fiona is a telephone operator turned barbershop owner.

The Heartie magic extends beyond romance though, according to Krakow.

"Things like we'll have a scene that's really important that we're to film outside and it's been pouring all day. And then miraculously, the rain just stops and we're able to make it through," the Army Wives alum explains.

"And I know that's not the most romantic illustration of what makes Hope Valley magical, but I do think there's just something special about the show and the people involved," Krakow continues. "When you put a bunch of special people together in one place, connections are bound to be made."

A fictional love connection is bound to become even stronger on When Calls the Heart as the drama returns for season 11. Elizabeth recently ended her engagement with Lucas Bouchard (Chris McNally) because she wanted to stay in Hope Valley, though he'd been elected governor of Union City.

Ideally, that means her heart is open to giving in to the love she has been denying she feels for Nathan. Still, Krakow tells PEOPLE that Hearties still have to endure as the potential pair "dance" around their feelings.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

When Calls the Heart returns Sunday, April 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Channel.