According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lori Loughlin (Full House, Fuller House), an original cast member will return to the show after taking a hiatus of seven years. She had departed due to accusations of a college-admission bribery.
Loughlin was arrested for the scandal, and that’s when the company decided to cut ties with the actress. “We are saddened by the recent news surrounding the college admissions allegations,” the company stated. “We are no longer working with Lori Loughlin and have stopped development of all productions that air on the Crown Media Family Network channels involving Lori Loughlin, including Garage Sale Mysteries, an independent third-party production.”
THR says Loughlin will return for season 14 in her role of Abigail Stanton. The actress will make an appearance in six episodes. It was made official on Tuesday. Season 14 is scheduled to shoot early next year in Canada. When Calls the Heart is based on a novel of the same name, authored by Janette Oke. The show will start Erin Krakow (It Was Always You, Santa Tell Me), Kevin McGarry (Feeling Butterflies, Winter Castle), Jack Wagner (Melrose Place FR, The Wedding March), Chris McNally (The Sweetest Heart, Sailing Into Love), Pascale Hutton (The Perfect Bride, Fourth Down and Love), and Kavan Smith (Big Sky River, The Perfect Bride).
According to THR, the show focuses on a school teacher named Elizabeth Thornton (Krakow) who leaves her busy city-life to turn a new leaf on the countryside. Michelle Vicary, who is the head of programming at Hallmark Media, made a statement. “Since the series’ debut in 2014, the character of Abigail Stanton was a fan favorite and beloved by the Hearties,” she said.
Approximately seven years ago, Hallmark Channel cut ties with Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, were indicted in a widely popular scandal involving bribing. According to THR, Loughlin spent two months in jail after being convicted of scheming to bribe college officials to receive admission into top schools.
When Calls the Heart is an All Canadian Entertainment Production, in association with Brad Krevoy Television and Believe Pictures.