The cast of 'When Calls the Heart'Image via Hallmark
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Published 42 minutes ago
Makuochi Echebiri is a News Writer for Collider. He has been interested in creative writing from as far back as high school, and he would consume pretty much anything that’s film or TV. However, his truest love lies in the presence of historical epics and thrillers.
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Gather around, Hearties! There’s more good news coming out of Hope Valley. As we count down to the Season 13 premiere of When Calls the Heart, a new report confirms that the beloved Hallmark drama has already secured an early Season 14 renewal. And as if that wasn’t good enough news to warm our hearts, the series is also bringing back one of its most missed faces. Lori Loughlin (On Call), who played Elizabeth’s (Erin Krakow) dear friend Abigail Stanton, will officially return to Hope Valley in Season 14, marking her first appearance on the show since Season 6 and ending a seven-year absence.
Loughlin was among the show’s original cast members, introduced as a core figure in the series premiere. But her run came to an abrupt end in Season 6 after her involvement in the 2019 college admissions bribery scandal. Hallmark ultimately removed her from the series and reworked the latter half of the season to cut all of her scenes. In the story, Abigail’s absence was explained by her decision to leave Hope Valley with her son, Cody, to care for her ailing mother.
After serving a two-month jail sentence, Loughlin has since rebuilt her relationship with Hallmark. Her brief return in the spin-off When Hope Calls only fueled fan desire to see Abigail back where she belonged, and Hearties have been vocal about wanting her story to continue. Behind the scenes, Hallmark has been quietly working on a path to bring her home, and now, that moment has finally arrived. “Since the series’ debut in 2014, the character of Abigail Stanton was a fan favorite and beloved by the Hearties,” Michelle Vicary, head of programming at Hallmark Media, said in a statement. “At its core, the Hallmark brand is about hope, positivity, and connection, which is also the central theme of ‘When Calls the Heart.’ We felt that Season 14 was the right time to continue Abigail’s story with her return to this beloved series.”
Lori Loughlin Isn’t the Only Alum Returning to ‘When Calls The Heart’
Hope Valley has already been welcoming familiar faces back into the fold in recent seasons, and the trend continues. Earlier reports confirmed that another beloved alum, Brooke Shields (Mother of the Bride), will return in Season 13. Her character, Charlotte Thornton, is set for a three-episode guest arc, marking her first appearance since Season 3 a decade ago. Charlotte, who is the mother to Elizabeth's late husband, steps into a crucial role, helping her grandson, Little Jack, connect to his paternal roots as he navigates his battle with diabetes after the family’s trip to Cape Fullerton for better access to an insulin lab.
When Calls the Heart Season 14 is expected to begin filming next year for a 2027 premiere, with Loughlin appearing in six of the season’s 12 episodes. But before Abigail returns, Hearties will first welcome Shields back in Season 13 when it premieres this winter on January 4. Stay tuned for more updates.
When Calls the Heart
Like Follow Followed TV-G Drama Western Romance Release Date January 11, 2014 Network Hallmark Channel Directors Neill Fearnley, Peter DeLuise, Siobhan Devine, Martin Wood, Alysse Leite-Rogers, Anne Wheeler, Kristin Lehman Writers Lindsay Sturman, Derek Thompson, Paul Redford, Derek Thompson, John Tinker, Robin Bernheim Burger, Tony Blake, Joy Gregory, Neal H. Dobrofsky, Tippi Dobrofsky, Josef Anderson, Ken LaZebnik, Richard Manning, Charles Lazer, John Wierick, Sheryl J. Anderson, Vanessa Parise, Cindy Kelley, Ken Craw, Andrea Stevens, Liam Fearnley, Ayla Glass, Kim Beyer-Johnson, Jon NappaCast
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Erin Krakow
Elizabeth Thatcher
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Pascale Hutton
Rosemary LeVeaux
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When Hope Calls
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