"Hopeful Hearts: The Question Looms - Will Lori Loughlin Return to When Calls the Heart?"



 As WHEN CALLS THE HEART season 10 takes off, many fans hope Lori Loughlin’s Abigail Stanton will return to Hope Valley. 



Hallmark quickly cut ties with Loughlin in 2019 after she was arrested for participating in Operation Varsity Blues, “a criminal conspiracy aimed at getting students undergraduate admissions into elite universities in the U.S.,” SOAPS reported. 


In a virtual sentencing hearing in August 2020, Loughlin took full responsibility for her actions.

“I went along with a plan to give my daughters an unfair advantage in the college admissions process,” Loughlin stated. “In doing so I ignored my intuition and allowed myself to be swayed from my moral compass. I thought I was acting out of love for my children. But in reality, it only undermined and diminished my daughters’ abilities and accomplishments.


“While I wish I could go back and do things differently, I can only take responsibility and move forward,” she added. “I am truly, profoundly and deeply sorry. I’m ready to face the consequences and make amends.”


Although there is no confirmation that Abigail Stanton will return to WHEN CALLS THE HEART, there are no reports saying it isn’t possible. 


Brian Bird, the co-creator of WHEN CALLS THE HEART, stated he would be open to having Abigail back in Hope Valley. 


“Some of the fans have asked what will happen to Abigail’s character and shared their opinion that Hope Valley should be an example of forgiveness and grace,” he said in 2019. “As Lori’s friend, I could not agree more, and Hope Valley will always be a place of second chances. However, in the real world, having a heart of forgiveness does not mean that justice can be ignored.”


He added, “I am speaking for myself here, but I believe forgiveness and justice are flip sides of the same coin. They are never meant to cancel each other out, or overrule each other, but actually meant to work together for good in our lives.”


“Both justice and mercy are values we care about in Hope Valley—as should all of us as individuals in the real world,” he continued. “And sometimes the laws of man, and the laws in our hearts have to coexist in a state of conflict, until justice and redemption can be resolved and life can be restored.”


One Twitter user wrote, “Please bring Lori back. When calls the heart stands for forgiving others so they must do the same here and bring her back. We all make mistake in life. Lori is just classy and having her back will send a positive message.”


“Please bring Lori back to WHEN CALLS THE HEART. I’ll also be happy to watch her on HOPE…but it would be great if she would return home to HEART,” another user added.



The 56-year-old WHEN CALLS THE HEART is almost halfway into her two-month prison sentence for her role in the college admissions scandal. Loughlin arrived at Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, Calif., in late October and hopes for a release the week of Christmas.


According to Us Weekly, Loughlin said her first night in prison was discouraging but soon established a routine that includes prayer. 


Us Weekly reported that Loughlin, a mother of two, regularly attends church services at the federal correctional facility.


“Lori has been praying a lot,” Us Weekly’s source said.