Actress Lori Loughlin has received quite the homecoming at Hallmark Channel, reuniting with her “When Calls The Heart” family after nearly seven years away. Stars and fans have been over the moon about her return, including her surprise appearance in the closing scene of season 13’s finale on March 19, 2026.
At the Los Angeles premiere of the WCTH prequel series “Hope Valley: 1874,” Loughlin said returning to the network has been “so good for my soul” and revealed who helped to make it happen.
Lori Loughlin Says Erin Krakow Campaigned for Her Return to WCTH
Loughlin was part of the original WCTH cast when it launched in 2014, playing beloved Hope Valley cafe owner Abigail Stanton, who was besties with Erin Krakow’s lead character, Elizabeth Thornton.
But in 2019, Hallmark removed Loughlin during season six when the actress was implicated in a national college admissions scandal and served a two-month prison sentence. Loughlin kept a low profile for a while before dipping her toe back into TV, including a special appearance as Abigail in Great American Family’s WCTH spinoff special, “When Hope Calls,” in 2021.
For years, many Hearties have called for Loughlin’s return to WCTH, urging executives to practice the kind of forgiveness and growth the show’s characters often exhibit. They got their wish in December, when Hallmark announced Loughlin would, indeed, return for season 14 in 2027.
During a panel discussion with the cast on March 18, Loughlin also credited Krakow and others who campaigned for her return, noting, “I have to say Erin, for a long time, has been putting a bug in everyone’s ear about bringing me back, talking to the powers that be at Hallmark.”
Krakow has also been vocal in media interviews about her desire to see Loughlin back in Hope Valley, including telling Us Weekly in 2024 that she was “an incredible person, a very dear friend, and she’s got a real good heart. People don’t even know what a special person she is, and it would be wonderful to have her back in Hope Valley.”
Lori Loughlin Says Michelle Vicary’s Hallmark Return Fueled Her Own Comeback
GettyAppearing on a panel with multiple stars of WCTH and “Hope Valley: 1874,” Loughlin also credited multiple execs for championing her Hallmark comeback. The “Full House” alum said her “good friend Brad Krevoy,” one of the show’s executive producers, “has been a huge supporter and also kind of talking and working behind the scenes.”
She also thanked Hallmark Cards CEO Mike Perry and Chief Brand Officer Darren Abbott for “welcoming me with open arms.” But the final piece of the puzzle, Loughlin told panel moderator Deidre Behar of “Entertainment Tonight,” was that “the lovely, beautiful, wonderful — I love her so much — Michelle Vicary came back, and that was really it.”
Vicary, a beloved Hallmark Channel executive who left in 2021 amid a leadership shakeup, returned to oversee programming in the summer of 2025. When Hallmark announced Loughlin’s return, Vicary said in a statement that the decision aligned with the Hallmark brand’s dedication to “hope, positivity and connection, which is also the central theme of ‘When Calls the Heart.'”
All of that support, Loughlin said, “has been so good for my soul and I’m so happy to be back.” When Behar asked what she’s most excited about, Loughlin quipped, “Working with these clowns!”
Season 14 of WCTH is expected to begin filming in July, and will likely premiere in early 2027. All past seasons can be streamed via Hallmark+.
So happy to hear that Hallmark has brought Lori back. I love that she is back in WCTH as Abigail. I’m also a big fan of Garage Sale Mystries have watched them almost every time they come on.
Yes bring back more Garage Sale Mysteries.
Now Hallmark needs to bring back the cast of Garage Sale Mysteries and make more of those movies. That cast was family and it showed in the movies which were really loved by many.
Hallmark had some great Mystery movies and just seemed to give up on them. Loved the Martha’s Vineyard movies, The Emma Fielding, and Mystery 101 movies.
Yes, I’d love to see more of the Garage Sale Mysteries.
WCTH has new life finally with Lori’s return. It was touch and go for a long time when she left. You have now won back many many fans. Thank you
I second that.
Lori Loughlin is just special and it is a “win win” for the Network and for Lori to work together again. I hope that intelligence prevails and we see her in more Hallmark and possibly resurrect the Garage Sale Mysteries.