Is Hallmark Bringing Lori Loughlin Back To ‘When Calls The Heart’?
Should Hearties assume that now that Lori Loughlin is allowed to travel to Canada, and film, that she will be returning to When Calls The Heart? There are many rumors now that she is returning as Abigail Stanton in When Hope Calls Season 2.
However, it seems that Hallmark has already made a decision. Moreover, that decision was likely made in the early part of summer.
This is what we know about Lori Loughlin returning to Hallmark.
When Hope Calls News Happily Surprises Hearties
Hearties who wished for Lori Loughlin to return to When Calls The Heart as Abigail Stanton got their dreams destroyed. On Tuesday, GAC announced that Lori Loughlin would be reprising her WCTH role. However, instead, of going to Hope Valley, she was headed to Brookfield, to When Hope Calls.
This news was a triple surprise. Not only was Lori’s news the highlight, but the fact that there would be When Hope Calls Season 2 was huge news. Hearties have waited for over two years for the WCTH spinoff to be renewed.
Moreover, it was not going to be on Hallmark. This was the third surprise. Instead, it was going to air on ex-Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott’s new network, GAC Family.
This was the news that no one ever expected. However, could this mean that Lori Loughlin is returning to Hope Valley anytime soon?
Hallmark Not Bringing Lori Loughlin Back To When Calls The Heart
After the Loughlin news was announced, social media went wild. For example, Knights Templar tweeted a sarcastic prediction for Hallmark and Loughlin. ##LoriLoughlin to star in NEW @Hallmarkseries When Prison Calls. It’s about a rich has-been actress who thinks she’s above the poor & decrepit & buys her way out of serious prison time. Series will make Hallmark & Becky more $$ off the poor! #watchifyourstupid.”
However, Hallmark took this as an opportunity to clarify Lori’s future with When Calls The Heart in a firm Twitter statement.
“Hi Knights, Hallmark Channel has not cast Lori Loughlin in any current projects, nor do we have any plans to cast her in the future. She was cast by GAC Family, a wholly separate cable network not affiliated with Hallmark Channel or Crown Media Family Networks.”
This seems to firmly shut the door on Lori’s return to the Hallmark Channel.
Hi Knights, Hallmark Channel has not cast Lori Loughlin in any current projects, nor do we have any plans to cast her in the future. She was cast by GAC Family, a wholly separate cable network not affiliated with Hallmark Channel or Crown Media Family Networks.
— Hallmark (@Hallmark) September 28, 2021
WCTH Co-Creator Believes In ‘Second Chances’ For Lori Loughlin
Until this past week, there have been many rumors that Hallmark would allow her to return to the network, and to her shows When Calls The Heart, and Garage Sale Mystery. Moreover, there seemed to be a reason to hope.
Just last year, amid the pandemic, When Calls The Heart co-creator, Brian Bird, went on the Hearties Heartline to discuss the show. First, he discussed Daniel Lissing’s departure. They knew “only one actor could play Jack.” This is why they did not recast the role.
However, he did gently discuss Loughlin’s situation, as he shared “Justice is happening, mercy is happening too.” Bird also shared that he was “praying” for her family for the “best possible outcome.” He discussed personal journeys, and pointed out, “We all make mistakes. We all make decisions that are not the best decisions.”
But when the scandal first hit, their backs were against the wall. He discussed how they had two choices. Either they remove Lori Loughlin from their show, or they lose the show. They chose the first.
Bird explained that “We had a choice. Either the show gets canceled now. Or, we try to figure something else.” Describing the situation as “painful,” he pointed out that “Hope Valley is a place of second chances.”
Most of all, he left the door open for Lori to return.
When Hope Calls Co-Creator Was Working On Solution
Brian Bird had always hinted that they wanted Lori Loughlin to have a second chance. But when Bird shared on Twitter that they were “working on a solution” for When Hope Calls, no one put the two together.
This was back on June 1, 2021. Was he speaking with Hallmark, or was he dealing with Bill Abbott and GAC Family? No one has explained how the show, or Lori, wound up at GAC. But, the timing seems too perfect to be just coincidences.
Bill Abbott and his group purchased the network a few days after Bird’s tweet. It is very possible that they were working on ironing When Hope Calls details, as well as the idea of bringing Lori back.
However, what is clear is that Lori Loughlin is that Hallmark does not have plans to bring Abigail to Hope Valley anytime soon. In the past year, everyone from Erin Krakow, to Chris McNally, to Paul Greene, and even Kevin McGarry have discussed Lori on podcasts and interviews.
What does the cast think of Lori going to Brookfield? On Wednesday, the day after the announcement, Erin Krakow posted a photo on Instagram of her hugging Lori. She only shared a double heart. Members of the WCTH cast, as well as other, prominent Hallmark stars shared hearts, comments, and likes.
Although the cast may not have made an official statement, it has remained clear that Lori is their “forever friend.” In addition, nearly 77,000 people have also liked this post. That is a pretty powerful statement from viewers.
Would you like to see Lori Loughlin return to When Calls The Heart? What do you think of Hallmark’s decision to not bring her back?
When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas Parts 1 and 2premieres on Saturday, December 18, at 8 p.m. Eastern, on GAC Family.
I think Lori loughlin should return back to when calls the heart, no offense The hope Valley show is boring show
Whatever crime Lori loughlin did is no different than anybody or the ones behind the camera filming she just wanted best for her children like any other parents would go to that extreme and again don’t think that’s reason for her not return to when calls the heart I thought we supposed to forgive when our heavenly father forgive us everyday of our sin nobody on this earth is perfect and who ever said they are perfect that’s lie because we are subject to say anything and do anything while we are on this earth
I think everybody deserves a second chance and I think “When Calls the Heart” should bring Lori back as Abigail. In fact Lori’s character, Abigail, was the first to give the Henry character a second chance on “When Calls the Heart” after he embezzled the town’s money as Mayor.
The show is not the same without Lori. Please bring her back to the show.