Lori Loughlin’s return to ‘When Calls the Heart’ isn’t happening this year — it’s set for season 14. Erin Krakow, who plays Elizabeth Thornton, confirmed exclusively to Us Weekly that the beloved Abigail Stanton will reunite with Hope Valley after a six-year absence. Fans are already counting down to the emotional reunion, especially the long-awaited moment between Abigail and Henry Gowen.
Season 13 of When Calls the Heart has officially begun airing on Hallmark Channel Sundays at 8 p.m. ET — but fans won’t see their favorite returning character, Abigail Stanton, in this new chapter. According to Erin Krakow, who plays Elizabeth Thornton, Lori Loughlin’s comeback is slated for season 14 — not season 13.
Krakow, speaking exclusively to Us Weekly ahead of the January 4 premiere, revealed she had no insider details about the storyline yet. “I can’t tell you anything about it because I don’t know anything about it,” she said. “We haven’t written the season yet.” Her honesty underscores the secrecy surrounding the plot, which fans have been eagerly speculating about since Loughlin’s departure.
The actress also shared her personal excitement for the upcoming reunion. “I’m so excited” and “over-the-moon happy” about Loughlin’s return, she said. “I cannot wait to see Abigail reunite with her friends and most especially with Henry,” Krakow added, referring to Martin Cummins’ portrayal of Henry Gowen. “It’ll be really exciting for Abigail to get to see all of the ways that Hope Valley has changed since she’s been away,” she noted.
Loughlin, now 61, was one of the original cast members when When Calls the Heart premiered in 2014. She portrayed Abigail Stanton, a kind-hearted nurse who became a fan favorite for her chemistry with Mountie Nathan Grant, played by Kevin McGarry. After six seasons, Loughlin was removed from the show in March 2019 amid her involvement in the college admissions scandal. The decision was made by Hallmark, who stated publicly that Abigail had left Hope Valley to care for her sick mother out east — a storyline later used to explain her absence.
Despite her time away, Loughlin remained connected to the cast and the show’s legacy. In November 2025, Krakow told Us Weekly she hoped they were getting closer to having Loughlin back onscreen. “I love Lori Loughlin, and I love the character she created,” Krakow said. “I hope we’re getting closer to having her back.” That wish came true — just not until next season.
In December 2025, Hallmark Media’s head of programming, Michelle Vicary, confirmed the official return. “Since the series’ debut in 2014, the character of Abigail Stanton was a fan favorite and beloved by the Hearties,” Vicary said. “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.”
Kevin McGarry, who plays Nathan Grant, echoed Krakow’s sentiment. “I think there’s been lots of people that [have] said we’d love to have her back,” he told Us Weekly in June 2024. “It’s not our decision, of course.” The actor emphasized that while the cast is thrilled at the prospect, the final say rests with Hallmark’s creative team.
Crucially, Krakow admitted she doesn’t yet know what direction the writers have taken with Abigail’s storyline. “I have no idea what they’re going to write for us,” she said. “But I hope that we get to learn more about what Abigail has been up to, where she’s been.” She specifically mentioned Cody (Carter Evancic) and Becky (Ali Skovbye), Abigail’s adoptive children — characters whose fates remain unknown since Loughlin’s exit.
The emotional reunion between Abigail and Henry is expected to be a centerpiece of season 14. Krakow described the moment as “really exciting” — a chance for the two characters to reconnect after years apart. “I’m really excited for that moment that Elizabeth and Abigail finally get to hug ‘hello’ after many years apart,” she said. “There’s always been something between Henry Gowen and Abigail, and I can’t wait to see how that develops.”
Meanwhile, the public fallout from Loughlin’s involvement in the college admissions scandal continues to ripple. Loughlin and her estranged husband Mossimo Giannulli initially denied any involvement before changing their plea to guilty and serving prison time — Loughlin completed her sentence early in October 2025. The couple announced their separation after 27 years together — a development that adds another layer of complexity to Abigail’s journey.
For fans, the return represents more than just a character comeback — it’s a symbolic reconnection to a beloved era of Hallmark television. “The Hearties” have waited patiently for Abigail’s return, and Krakow’s confirmation assures them that the emotional payoff will be worth the wait. As season 13 unfolds without Loughlin’s presence, viewers will likely turn their attention toward season 14 — where Abigail’s story begins again.
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