Lori Loughlin connected with fans over the weekend during her first ever appearance at Pennsylvania’s Steel City Comic Con—one of the nation’s largest comic conventions.
Though the actress has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years, her presence at such a major pop-culture event is yet another exciting marker of her return to the spotlight. Loughlin has also rejoined the Hallmark family, appearing on stage during a “When Calls the Heart” panel at the Hallmark Christmas Experience in December 2025 and attending the When Calls the Heart & Hope Valley: 1874 Celebration event in March 2026.
Loughlin Smiles With Fans During Steel City Comic Con Debut
The official Instagram account for Steel City Comic Con shared a photo of Loughlin with two smiling fans on April 11. They wrote in the caption, “Lori Loughlin had a wonderful time meeting her fans at Steel City Con! We’re so thrilled Aunt Becky was able to join us here🖤 #fullhouse.”
Fans in the comment section were just as excited to see Loughlin. One fan wrote, “Love Lori!♥️”
Another fan added, “Would love the opportunity to meet her….”
“Lori’s the best!! Absolute wonderful weekend seeing her!! ♥️♥️” another fan wrote.
The convention announced Loughlin’s appearance back in January 2026 by celebrating her fan-favorite roles. They wrote in the caption, “NEW GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT! Steel City Con is excited to welcome to Lori Loughlin to Steel City Con – April 10-12, 2026 in her FIRST comic con ever! Lori is best known as ‘Rebecca Katsopolis aka Aunt Becky’ on Full House / Fuller House and ‘Debbie’ on 90210.”
Other appearances at the convention included Hallmark stars such as Marcia Gay Harden, who starred in “In from the Night,” a 2006 Hallmark Hall of Fame, and William Shatner, who starred in “Just in Time for Christmas” in 2015 and “A Carol Christmas” in 2003, along with popular celebrities like Patricia Arquette and Josh Duhamel.
Loughlin Thrills Hearties With an Early Return to Hope Valley
It was revealed back in December 2025 that Hallmark Channel’s hit series “When Calls the Heart” had been renewed for a 14th season and would see the return of Loughlin as Abigail Stanton, per PEOPLE. The exciting news dropped ahead of the Season 13 premiere, which was nearly seven years after Loughlin’s final episode aired in Season 6.
But Loughlin’s appearance in Hope Valley came earlier than fans expected when she made a surprise cameo in the final episode of Season 13. In the finale, after Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) and Nathan’s (Kevin McGarry) engagement, a taxi rolled down the main street of Hope Valley and pulled over in front of the Visitor’s Centre.
The character stepping out of the car was revealed to be Abigail, who smiled and looked around as she said, “It’s good to be home.”
Fans couldn’t contain their excitement over Loughlin’s unexpected appearance in the finale, expressing their love for the actress and the network in the comment section:
“Nice to see Abigail return to Hope Valley!!! Home Sweet Home!!! 🏠❤️”
“The way her eyes are full of tears. 🥹🥹🥹 So grateful to @hallmarkchannel for bringing our girl home. ❤️”
“I’m so happy and excited Abigail is back! it’s been too long! ❤️”
“Abigail/ Lori finally being home is the greatest blessing and the biggest dream come true!! We love you Lori so much!! 😭💕”
At the premiere for the prequel series, “Hope Valley 1874,” Loughlin opened up about her return to the series.
“It was very emotional,” Loughlin told PauseRewind on the red carpet, per KRCR. “First of all the cast is like my family, and it was just so special to come back to the show. To go back to that set is going to be amazing, I love where we shoot and I’m over the moon, I’m so happy.”
Season 14 of “When Calls the Heart” will debut in 2027.
