Sharp-eyed viewers of The Good Witch season 7 promo spotted a hint that Hallmark’s first LGBTQ+ romance in a scripted series may be here at last. The featurette includes shots of Middleton newcomer Joy Harper smiling at a woman whose bowtie she then tenderly adjusts, while the voiceover narration references the season's new "romances." That’s a normal moment for the majority of TV shows, but for a Hallmark Channel program, it’s a giant leap. As The Good Witch’s leading lady Catherine Bell notes in the video, everyone will be "exploring different aspects of romance” this year on the show.

Hallmark Channel’s 2019 decision to pull an advertising spot featuring a same-sex wedding brought the network under fire, as countless viewers and Hallmark stars joined the voices objecting to the ad’s removal.  The network quickly reversed its decision with an apology and a promise to address the network's lack of diversity and inclusivity.  Starting in 2020, Hallmark began to feature LGBTQ+ couples in more prominent roles in their movies. Christmas with the Darlings, The Christmas House, and Mix Up in the Mediterranean have included LGBTQ+ couples. Wedding Every Weekend also featured an LGBTQ couple in a montage. Of course, these movies represent a mere fraction of Hallmark’s content. The Good Witch would be the first of Hallmark Channel’s popular, long-running scripted series to take that inclusive step forward.

Related: What To Expect From The Good Witch Season 7

The Good Witch has been one of the Hallmark Channel's beloved scripted series since its debut following a collection of phenomenally successful made-for-TV movies. Entering its seventh season, fans of The Good Witch love the adventures of the quirky town of Middleton and the "magic" that town B&B owner/shopkeeper Cassie Nightingale seems to share with those closest to her. Last season, Middleton opened its arms to Joy Harper, revealed to be a distant relative of Cassie, and her cousin Abigail, making her a member of the town’s founding Merriwick family.

Middleton and Cassie Nightingale welcome newcomers regularly with love and acceptance, and no one is likely to bat an eye, except in excitement, if Joy is revealed to be in a queer romance. Promotional videos promise that this season will delve more into getting to know the Good Witch characters, particularly its newest residents like Joy.  Very little has been revealed about Joy’s past, other than that she'd come in search of a family and was formerly partnered with another woman in a seemingly successful home renovation business. Early information about the seventh season indicates Joy may be exploring her past and her memories of her parents.

Joy's sexuality has never been addressed directly, other than a fleeting suggestion she might be attracted to Carter, her carpenter. Jason Diaz, who portrayed Carter, has not been confirmed to return for season 7. However, the prominent placement of the moment between Joy and the new character in the promo showcases some nice chemistry between actress Katherine Barrell and the to-be-revealed new arrival. Middleton residents are strong believers in the power of loving the person you're meant to be with, and whoever that is for Joy the town and her family are sure to embrace with open arms.

By giving a leading character on The Good Witch a major LGBTQ+ story, Hallmark Channel takes a major step in the right direction by bringing an inclusive real-world dynamic to life. Hallmark fans return time and again to the channel to watch love stories unfold, and this newest chapter for an already beloved Good Witch character is sure to be eagerly received.

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