Can Abigail Come Back in WCTH Season 11 After Lori Loughlin Controversy?
Fans have forgiven the disgraced actress.
When Hallmark premiered When Calls the Heart in 2014, fans of television melodrama were smitten with the project, not just because of the intriguing setting and the charming central romance between Jack and Elizabeth. They were particularly excited to see Lori Loughlin portraying Abigail Stanton. Her performance as a major supporting character made a significant contribution to the hype that helped the show become a true hit.
Lori starred in the show for six full seasons before being abruptly fired before season 7, sending shockwaves through the fan community. However, there were no accusations leveled at the producers.
Convicted Felon
In 2019, Lori landed in big trouble. The FBI arrested her and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, on fraud charges for bribing officials to secure their daughters' admission into the prestigious Stanford University. Lori was found guilty, fined, and served a two-month jail sentence. That effectively ended her career as she was fired from When Calls the Heart and all other projects.
However, almost three years later, fans can't help but wonder if Hallmark might consider rehiring her to portray Abigail again in the show's upcoming eleventh season.
Fans Want Forgiveness
Even though Lori is now a convicted felon, fans are willing to give her another chance because she committed the crime in an attempt to help her family, however misguided that attempt might have been. And a central theme of When Calls the Heart has always been that people can change and learn their lessons after making even very serious mistakes. Rehiring Lori would be in perfect alignment with this central message, wouldn't it? And shouldn't we all at least try and practice what we preach?
And anyway, Lori's already acting in other projects, and seeing how sorely Abigail has been missed over the past four seasons, the producers would be giving another chance not just to Lori but to the show if they were to bring her back. After all, Lori's was more or less a victimless crime – it's not as if she's killed someone – and she's already served her sentence.