When Calls the Heart concluded season 13 with a surprise cameo from none apart from Lori Loughlin — seven years after her original exit from the show.
Through the Sunday, March 22, episode of the hit Hallmark series Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) and Nathan’s (Kevin McGarry) engagement ended with Abigail (Loughlin) coming back to Hope Valley, saying, “It’s good to be home.”
News originally broke in December 2025 that Loughlin, 61, will appear in six of season 14’s 12 episodes. The show, which is filming this 12 months, is ready to return in 2027 with Krakow, 41, McGarry, Jack Wagner, Chris McNally, Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith all set to return.
“Because the series’ debut in 2014, the character of Abigail Stanton was a fan favorite and beloved by the Hearties,” Hallmark Media’s head of programming Michelle Vicary said in an announcement. “At its core the Hallmark brand is about hope, positivity and connection, which can be the central theme of When Calls the Heart. We felt that season 14 was the fitting time to proceed Abigail’s story together with her return to this beloved series.”
Loughlin’s appearance on the hit show comes seven years after her final episode aired. The actress became a household name after playing Rebecca on ABC’s hit sitcom Full House. From there, Loughlin continued to deliver scene-stealing performances in Summerland, 90210, When Calls the Heart and Fuller House.
Loughlin was written off When Calls the Heart in 2019 within the wake of the faculty admissions scandal for which she served two months in jail. Before her return was announced, Krakow exclusively told Us Weekly she hoped to reunite with Loughlin.
“I really like Lori Loughlin, and I really like the character she created, Abigail Stanton,” Krakow shared, adding that Loughlin rejoining the show is “something I’ve been hoping for for years and years. I’m very much a fan of hers and a friend of hers, so I actually hope that it’s happening.”
Loughlin previously returned to acting on Dick Wolf’s Prime Video procedural On Call.
“I don’t get offered roles like this,” Loughlin shared with Us in December 2024. “Throughout my profession, people [have] seen me because the girl round the corner.”
Loughlin explained that she has nothing but gratitude for her past projects, but she was excited to try something recent.
“I’m not complaining. I feel very blessed for the profession that I’ve had but it surely was a beautiful opportunity for me to play a very different role,” she explained. “I used to be shocked to even get the offer. [My costar and On Call director] Eriq [La Salle] was instrumental in bringing me on board. I’m so thankful that Dick Wolf and everybody at Wolf Entertainment also agreed to bring me on board.”