Hallmark Channel’s season 13 finale of “When Calls The Heart” was a joyous, surprise-filled hour for fans, from romances in bloom to the surprise returns of beloved characters, including a thrilling cameo from Lori Loughlin before the credits rolled.
Viewers flooded social media during and after the WCTH finale on March 22, 2026, to weigh in on all the developments. We’ve got the reactions and video of some of the finale’s highlights. SPOILER ALERT: Do not keep reading if you don’t want to know what happened in the finale!
Hearties React to Lori Loughlin Surprise Cameo on ‘When Calls The Heart’ Finale
Hard to believe a returning cast member could overshadow the long-awaited engagement of Elizabeth and Nathan, played by series leads Erin Krakow and Kevin McGarry, but Loughlin’s earlier-than-expected return to Hope Valley was a goosebumps-worthy surprise for countless Hearties.
Gone from the series since 2019, when Loughlin and her now-estranged husband were charged with participating in a national college admissions scandal, Loughlin’s impending return was announced in December, with Hallmark telling fans her character, Abigail Stanton, would come back to Hope Valley for season 14 in 2027.
But the show cleverly ended the episode with a car pulling up just outside Abigail’s old cafe, now run by Minnie Canfield (Natasha Burnett), who even got a Minnie’s Cafe sign in the finale. Loughlin stepped out of the chauffeured vehicle, wistfully looked around at Hope Valley, and sighed, “It’s good to be home.”
Fans flooded Hallmark’s social media accounts with reactions, including one Heartie who wrote, “We squealed then cried when she stepped out! 🥲👏🏼” and another who revealed, “She had me BAWLING 🥹😭”
Another could not contain her excitement, writing, “ABIGAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL I LOVE YOU” while someone else admitted, “Lost my entire mind!! So happy she’s back!! My fav character is back!!! ❤️😭”
There was a smattering of naysayers unhappy with Loughlin being forgiven and allowed to return, including one who lamented, “I really didn’t want her back. It maybe time for me to not come back next season. 💔”
Fans Weigh In On ‘Epic’ Engagement Between Elizabeth & Nathan
Hearties were also thrilled to finally see Nathan propose to Elizabeth, after watching him in previous episodes find the perfect ring and fret a bit about how and when and where to propose. In the end, thanks to a last-minute idea from Elizabeth, they climbed up to the top of the Hope Valley water tower and took in the gorgeous view before he pulled out the ring. It was just as “epic” as they promised in interviews leading up to the finale.
Fans said the magical proposal was worth the wait, including one who wrote, “This episode made the waiting so worth it. It did not disappoint. Well, and now it begins: I’ll be watching reruns until 2027 🤩”
Another viewer exclaimed, “It was a perfect episode! The whole thing was beautiful and a perfectly Nathan and Elizabeth proposal. Loved it!”
Even acclaimed actress Jill Hennessy, who co-stars in the new prequel “Hope Valley: 1874,” was watching and commented on one of Hallmark’s posts, “WOW!!!! The RING and ABIGAIL!!!! Lovely performances too…❤️”
‘When Calls The Heart’ Brings Lucas & Edie Back Together
Meanwhile, many Hearties also expressed how happy they were to see Elizabeth’s ex, Lucas (Chris McNally), give up his governorship and give his heart to Edie (Miranda MacDougall) in two swoonworthy monologues sealed with a passionate kiss.
One viewer gushed, “The Edie and Lucas scenes were phenomenal and amazing ❤️❤️❤️ Love them so much!!!!”
Someone else declared, “The moment I had been waiting for finally happened. I wish the kiss were a little bit longer, but I’m still happy. Lucas finally found the one, his North Star. Can’t wait to see this couple’s new journey in season 14.”
“Lucas and Edie are so much better together that Lucas and Elizabeth in my opinion,” another Heartie wrote. “I loved these two together! And I was cheering during this scene. I cannot wait to see what the next season will bring for these two.”
Fans Also Loved the Sweet Homecoming of Angela Canfield
HallmarkHearties also loved seeing the Canfields’ sweet family reunion as Joseph (Viv Leacock) and son Cooper (Elias Leacock) surprised Minnie — not only with her cafe sign, but with the return of daughter Angela (Vienna Leacock). During season 12, Angela graduated from Hope Valley’s Jack Thornton School and decided to leave home to attend the Schwartzman School, where she could learn with other blind students.
Fans were touched by the emotional mom-and-daughter reunion, and by seeing the family back together. One wrote on Instagram, “Yay! So wonderful to have everyone together for the finale! The Canfields.., including @natasha.burnett made it sooooo special! Have a great vacation, everyone!”
Another commented, “’ll be watching reruns until S14. Watching the Canfields is like the way my family was growing up. Thank you Hallmark for the Canfield family and for experiencing more of them in future seasons. WCTH is the best show on television and gets better with each season.”
Someone else gushed, “Colossal Canfield Season 13!!😊 💕 😊 Believing Season 14 will be even better! 😍”
“When Calls The Heart” will return for a 14th season in 2027, with filming expected to begin this summer.
This was a FABULOUS Season Finale. The Engagement was Absolutely PERFECT!! So Happy to see the Canfield Family all together. I can’t wait until Season 14.
Awesome Season Finale. All of it. I cried when Abigail arrived!
It’s so hard to watch your favorite series ever when your eyes are filled with emotional tears the entire episode. I started bawling at the opening credits knowing it was the finale and we would have to wait a year for the next Season, knowing I might not still be around. Then Angela showed up and the tears flowed. I found myself hoping things would happen, like maybe Oliver and Allie’s first kiss, then clapping and cheering at other moments, like the proposal, finally! Expecting some sort of cliff hanger at the end, Abigail showing up was perfect! Congrats to everyone associated with this wonderful series!
The only sad part of this season was Crown Media’s decision to insult Canadian Hearties by not allowing the popular After Show after Episode 9.