Faith Carter: Character Guide

Character Biography

Biography

Faith Carter is Hope Valley's nurse, working out of the infirmary and, in the later seasons, its certified diabetes clinic. She is portrayed by Andrea Brooks and is listed with the Hope Valley Infirmary.

She is introduced treating the people the town brings in injured, and she is trusted because she does not rehearse reassurance — she gives the diagnosis she has, plainly and immediately. During the mine rescue she sets up an extra infirmary at the school before the men ride out, and she is trusted because she does not rehearse reassurance: when a diagnosis is bad she says so plainly.

Her own life runs alongside the work. She becomes the guardian of Lily Watson after Mrs. Dora Watson collapses, and the town organizes itself around making sure she is not raising the child alone. She trains with the best doctors available and turns down an offer of a hospital and a city in Nashville to stay in Hope Valley. Alongside Mei Sou she establishes a certified diabetes clinic, and it is Faith who identifies Little Jack's illness and explains to Elizabeth and Nathan what the diagnosis actually means.

Character Overview

About Faith Carter

Faith Carter came west to escape a broken engagement and found a calling: as Hope Valley's nurse she staffs the infirmary through epidemics, accidents and the town's slow modernization, becoming one of its most essential residents.

Her romance with Dr. Carson Shepherd gave the series a mature love story - two professionals whose partnership is as practical as it is tender - and her growth from runaway to medical pillar tracks the town's own coming of age.

From Season 11 her story turns domestic as well as medical. When Dora Watson's collapse leaves her granddaughter Lily in Faith's care, Faith takes the child on, turns down Fiona Miller's offer of a hospital and a city in Nashville to stay with her, and becomes the guardian Lily calls Auntie Faith. The two threads meet in the illness that shapes her later seasons: it is Faith who identifies Little Jack's diabetes, who explains the Toronto insulin trials to Elizabeth and Nathan, and who then builds the certified clinic that keeps the treatment in Hope Valley.

Skilled nurse
Independent
Compassionate
Outgrown her big-city dreams

Story Role

Role in the Story

supporting

Relationships

Key Relationships

Faith's partnership with Dr. Carson Shepherd defined her seasons in Hope Valley, personally and professionally. She mentors and is mentored at the infirmary, working alongside healers like Mei Sou as the town's medical needs grow.

Her household is the other half of her story. Faith shares her home with Lily Watson, the granddaughter she takes in as a foster daughter, and she leans on Elizabeth Thornton and Minnie Canfield when the balance between the infirmary and the child she is raising slips.

Allies

Mei Sou — Clinic colleague
Molly Sullivan — Infirmary colleague

Family & Affiliations

Family and Affiliations

Family

Foster daughterLily Watson

Affiliations

Hope Valley Infirmary

Portrayed By

Actors Who Play Faith Carter

Andrea Brooks — Faith Carter

Media

Photos & Videos

No character media available yet. Photos and videos will be added in a later update.

Sources

About This Profile

Official references count: 1
Public references count: 1

Character Importance

Role Significance

Status: Active
Role: recurring
Shows: When Calls the Heart
Seasons: 4
Episodes: 31

Episode Timeline

Appearance Timeline

Season 2

E6 — Coming Together, Coming Apart (Jun 6, 2015)

Season 10

E1 — Carpe Diem (Jul 30, 2023)
E2 — Hope Springs Eternal (Aug 6, 2023)
E3 — Oh, Baby (Aug 13, 2023)
E4 — Great Expectatations (Aug 20, 2023)
E5 — Life is But a Dream (Aug 27, 2023)
E6 — The Heart of the Problem (Sep 3, 2023)
E7 — Best Laid Plans (Sep 10, 2023)
E8 — What Is and What Should Never Be (Sep 17, 2023)
E9 — Deep Water (Sep 24, 2023)
E10 — All Dressed Up (Oct 1, 2023)
E11 — Long Time Running (Oct 8, 2023)
E12 — Starry Nights (Oct 15, 2023)

Season 11

E1 — When Stars Align (Apr 7, 2024)
E2 — Tomorrow Never Knows (Apr 14, 2024)
E3 — Steps Forward (Apr 21, 2024)
E4 — Along Came a Spider (Apr 28, 2024)
E7 — Facing the Music (May 19, 2024)
E8 — Brother's Keeper (May 26, 2024)
E9 — Truth Be Told (Jun 2, 2024)
E10 — What Goes Around (Jun 9, 2024)
E11 — Run to You (Jun 16, 2024)
E12 — Anything for Love (Jun 23, 2024)

Season 12

E1 — The Mountie Way (Jan 5, 2025)
E2 — You Get What You Give (Jan 12, 2025)
E3 — All That Glitters (Jan 19, 2025)
E5 — Mom's the Word (Feb 2, 2025)
E8 — The Show Must Go On (Feb 23, 2025)
E10 — Through the Valley (Mar 9, 2025)
E11 — Having Faith (Mar 16, 2025)
E12 — Must Be Gold (Mar 23, 2025)

Key Moments

Heart and Home — S2E5
As Nurse Faith Carter she explains that Tom suffered two broken ribs and a concussion.
Coming Together, Coming Apart — S2E6
She discusses Tom's impending release with Jack at the infirmary.
Heart of a Hero — S3E4
She treats Jack's brother after the car accident in Hamilton.
Prayers from the Heart — S3E9
She hurries off to set up an extra infirmary at the school before the riders leave for the mine.
Heart of a Fighter — S4E10
She tells the family that Cody is suffering from appendicitis and will need his appendix removed.

Story Arc

Faith Carter Arc by Season

Season 3

Faith's friendship with Jack proves problematic for Elizabeth as the town struggles.

Source: Season 3 · S3E5

Season 6

After a foolish comment, Carson must admit that he cares more about Faith.
Carson and Faith must decide whether to pursue their feelings, and then try to keep their romance a secret.
Faith and Carson's romance blooms.

Source: Season 6 · S6E2 · S6E3 · S6E4 · S6E5

Season 7

Faith returns home with a dilemma that may force her to part ways with Carson.
Elizabeth, Carson and Faith deal with an outbreak of chickenpox, and Faith's dedication to her job jeopardizes her future.

Source: Season 7 · S7E1 · S7E4

Season 8

Faith arrives back from medical school.
Carson and Faith's relationship is put to the test.

Source: Season 8 · S8E11

Season 10

Nathan attempts to have a relationship with Faith, but the romance does not work out between them.
The Coulter baby is late, but Faith assures the family that it is fine.

Source: Season 10 · S10E4

Season 11

With Fiona Miller staying in Nashville, a lonely Faith treats Mrs. Dora Watson's collapse and takes charge of her granddaughter Lily.
The women of Hope Valley turn a space Henry Gowen donates into a daycare centre with volunteer shifts so that Faith is not raising Lily alone, and Lily asks to call her Auntie Faith.
Faith turns down Fiona's offer of a hospital and a city in Nashville, choosing to stay in Hope Valley with Lily.

Source: Season 11 · S11E1 · S11E3 · S11E12

Season 12

Faith helps Fiona Miller make her decision, agrees to be her maid of honour, and sees her off with a golden locket.
Faith identifies Little Jack's illness as diabetes and tells Elizabeth and Nathan that there is no cure.
Faith explains the Toronto insulin trials to Elizabeth and Nathan, and helps send Mei and Mike to bring the treatment home.

Source: Season 12 · S12E8 · S12E10 · S12E11

Season 13

Faith works with Mei Sou to establish a certified diabetes clinic back in Hope Valley.
Faith keeps the clinic's backup generator running through a power outage, preserving its insulin.
Faith treats Lee's panic attack and stresses how important rest is.
Too busy at the infirmary to take Lily to the jamboree, Faith asks Elizabeth for advice about the child she is raising, and learns that Molly is training as a nurse.

Source: Season 13 · S13E1 · S13E2 · S13E5 · S13E7

Shows & Episodes

Appearances

When Calls the Heart

Season 2 · 1 Episode Cast Played by Andrea Brooks Role: Guest Star

E6Coming Together, Coming ApartJun 6, 2015