Lori Loughlin schedules return to 'When Calls the Heart' following college scandal

Lori Loughlin is returning to Hope Valley. The 61-year-old actress, known for her role on "Full House," will reprise her character Abigail Stanton in the Hallmark Channel series "When Calls the Heart" after serving time related to the college admissions scandal.

Hallmark confirmed on December 2 that Loughlin will appear in six of the 12 episodes in the show's 14th season, which is set to begin production next year and air in 2027. Michelle Vicary, head of programming at Hallmark Media, highlighted Abigail Stanton's enduring popularity among fans, stating that Season 14 is the ideal moment to continue her story in the series, which emphasizes hope, positivity, and connection.

In 2019, Hallmark terminated Loughlin after she and her then-husband, Mossimo Giannulli, were charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud for paying $500,000 to secure spots for their daughters at the University of Southern California. Loughlin served two months in prison and was released in December 2020.

Following the scandal, Loughlin made her acting comeback with a return to the spin-off "When Hope Calls" in 2021 and appeared in a self-referential role on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" in 2024, where she humorously portrayed a version of herself.

In October 2025, Loughlin announced her separation from Giannulli after nearly 30 years of marriage. Around the same time, her former "Full House" co-star John Stamos publicly defended her, attributing the scandal primarily to Giannulli's actions. Other actors involved in the college admissions case, like Felicity Huffman, have also resumed their careers following their respective sentences.

Author: Chloe Ramirez