Hallmark’s “When Calls the Heart” fans received two big reasons to celebrate in recent days. Not only did the network issue an early renewal regarding season 14, but they also revealed a beloved former WCTH star will be returning to the show. According to People, Lori Loughlin will appear in a handful of episodes of season 14.
After the news emerged, Hallmark fans and “When Calls the Heart” stars alike celebrated the exciting news.
Lori Loughlin’s WCTH Return Has Been Met With an Overwhelmingly Positive Response
The Instagram page for “When Calls the Heart” shared the news in a post on December 2. Jack Wagner, who plays Bill Avery, “liked” the post, as did former cast member Kayla Wallace and thousands of fans.
Fans of the show are thrilled to learn of Loughlin’s return. She was written out of the show after her college admissions scandal, and it seems quite a few “When Calls the Heart” fans think that call on Hallmark’s part was a poor decision.
“YESSSSSS!!!! She never should have been kicked off the show like that, especially not with a proper ending! I’m so rooting for her and Henry! I love how much he has changed and grown through the series,” one fan commented.
Another fan noted, “It does my heart good to scroll through the comments and see that 99 9/10 percent of the comments are so lovely and excited to see Lori & Abigail return. That’s Hearties for you!”
That same commenter suggested, “We are surely emotionally mature enough to [put] Lori’s past mistakes behind us…& let her move forward in a positive manner. She deserved her sentence and that chapter is now closed.”
Erin Krakow Is Especially Tickled to See Loughlin Returning
Hallmark stars were quick to note their support regarding Loughlin’s return, too.
Erin Krakow, who recently hinted at Loughlin’s return, highlighted her excitement in an Instagram post on her own page. “The very best news: Abigail’s returning to @wcth_tv and Season 14 has been greenlit!”
Krakow, who recently revealed she is expecting her first baby with husband and “When Calls the Heart” co-star Ben Rosenbaum, added, “Tears of joy (not hormones, I think)!”
She went on to share a photo from the first scene she filmed with Loughlin on the show, and included a pair of lines exchanged by Krakow and Loughlin’s characters in that scene. “You are always there for me,” Krakow’s character said. Loughlin replied, “And I always will be.”
On an Instagram post from the Hallmark Channel, Jonathan Bennett commented, “Welcome Home.” Holly Robinson Peete replied with a string of fire emojis. Several other Hallmark stars, including Robert Buckley, Kevin McGarry, and Meghan Ory, “liked” the post in support.
In addition, several Instagram pages run by “Hearties,” which is what fans of the show call themselves, signaled their excitement for the move.
One fan, however, bemoaned, “2027?!? We have to wait another whole year and then some?!?? That’s crazy.”
Season 13 of “When Calls the Heart” premieres in January 2026, and season 14 is expected to debut in January 2027.
I’m so Happy that Lori Loughlin is coming back to When Calls the Heart(where she belongs). Glad it’s been seen as “Second Chances”. Everybody is entitled to a “Second Chance”.Welcome Back Lori(Abigail).
I will never watch that show again as long as she is on film. This network was absolutely correct in banning her. She is desperate to make money now. I have been watching this channel since it began. No more WCTH!
That’s your choice. I guess you have never made a mistake.
Everyone deserves a second chance!
I’m sorry but she was convicted of a crime, served her sentence if you would a sentence.
She was fired from the network not to mention when calls the heart as it should have done.
If this is actually true my friends, family to include kids will no longer support the show not to mention the network.
Bringing her back sets the tone that oh yeah she’s a criminal but bring her back anyway because it is okay to have a criminal. What does that say to kids.
We will no longer be watching the show or network if this is what they do.
I’m not sure if there has been an overwhelming positive amount of support about her return. Hallmark said that they had no interest in working with her again so I don’t understand why they would agree to this. When the college scandal first broke I thought that Lori didn’t fully understand what she had done. Then when I saw her signing autographs and smiling into the courtroom it changed my opinion. She didn’t act like she was remorseful for what she did. It is really difficult for me to watch anything she is in. If she had acted better during the scandal I would have wanted to give her more of a second chance.
The only two perfect in my book are God in Jesus. And I believe the Bible said something about that he who is without sin cast the first stone. Welcome back Lori, I have my arms wide open for you❤️