The college admissions scandal marked the end of Lori Loughlin’s time at the Hallmark Channel, but it was not the end of her involvement with the network’s programming. After serving jail time, Loughlin reprised her role as Abigail Stanton in the “When Calls the Heart” spinoff titled “When Hope Calls.” The series had moved from Hallmark to Great American Family and tapped the actor to join the spinoff for Season 2 in September 2021. This was thanks in large part to a friend Loughlin had made while at her old network.
Bill Abbott, the CEO of Great American Media, had worked with Loughlin while the two were at Hallmark. They developed a close relationship, and when she was ready to return to acting, Abbott welcomed her with open arms. “She’s America’s sweetheart, regardless of whatever happened,” the GAF honcho told Variety in September 2022. “At the end of the day, she represents all that is positive about entertainment,” Abbott added while announcing that Loughlin would be starring in the network’s holiday film “Fall Into Winter.”
Once Loughlin had made a splash on the competing network there was talk about her rejoining “When Calls the Heart” on Hallmark. “Our attitude always has been … what better place for second chances than Hope Valley,” series creator Brian Bird told People in October 2023. Hallmark, however, denied that they were bringing the actor back. Loughlin later took a role that poked fun at her real-life mistakes.
