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Where Are They Now? What Former When Calls the Heart Stars Are Up To Today [Photos]
Sunday, April 21st, 2024
It’s hard to believe that When Calls the Heart is on its 11th season. In the years since it debuted, the hit Hallmark series has said goodbye to several beloved cast members and characters — and welcomed plenty of new faces. Keep scrolling to learn where the alums of When Calls the Heart are now.
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When Calls the Heart is Hallmark’s historical drama series following the residents of Hope Valley (previously known as Coal Valley), a small town in Western Canada. The series is based on the Janette Oke book and the 2013 Hallmark original movie of the same name. It centers around Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a young teacher accustomed to high-society life who moves to Hope Valley to teach her first classroom.
Over the years, several fan favorites have left the show — whether they were killed off or decided to pursue other opportunities — and fans are still mourning their exits. Although they may not be in Hope Valley anymore, the actors have kept busy and can be seen on-screen elsewhere. Some have even stayed at Hallmark.
Below, see what the When Calls the Heart alums have been up to since leaving the show.
Where Former When Calls the Heart Stars Are Now
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<p>It’s hard to believe that <em>When Calls the Heart</em> is on its 11th season. In the years since it debuted, the hit Hallmark series has said goodbye to several beloved cast members and characters — and welcomed plenty of new faces. Keep scrolling to learn <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/714643/when-calls-the-heart-ep-season-11-spoilers/" target="_blank">where the alums of <em>When Calls the Heart</em> are now</a>. </p> <p><a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/693880/when-calls-the-heart-cancelled/" target="_blank"><em>When Calls the Heart</em></a> is Hallmark’s historical drama series following the residents of Hope Valley (previously known as Coal Valley), a small town in Western Canada. The series is based on the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Calls-Heart-Canadian-West/dp/076421229X/?tag=soaps0f6-20&asc_source=web&asc_campaign=web&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsoaps.sheknows.com%2Fsoaps%2Fnews%2F695206%2Fwhen-calls-the-heart-season-11-release-date%2F" target="_blank">Janette Oke book</a> and the 2013 Hallmark original movie of the same name. It centers around Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a young teacher accustomed to high-society life who moves to Hope Valley to teach her first classroom. </p> <p>Over the years, several fan favorites have left the show — whether they were killed off or decided to pursue other opportunities — and fans are still mourning their exits. Although they may not be in Hope Valley anymore, the actors have kept busy and can be seen on-screen elsewhere. Some have even stayed at Hallmark. </p> <p>Below, see what the <em>When Calls the Heart</em> alums have been up to since leaving the show. </p>
Image: ©Hallmark Entertainment/courtes
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<p>Daniel Lissing starred as Jack Thornton, Elizabeth’s main love interest, for seasons 1-5. They eventually got married, but Jack was killed in a landslide shortly after. Elizabeth later welcomed their son, Jack Jr., naming him after her late husband. </p> <p>Lissing left the show to pursue other projects and passions, explaining during a Facebook Live at the time: “Circumstances arose for me where I needed to leave When Calls the Heart for reasons that are very personal to me.” He added of the network and his co-stars, “I went to Hallmark and they were nothing but supportive of me. I went to the girls and they were nothing but supportive of me.”</p> <p>Lissing later told <a href="https://www.etonline.com/daniel-lissing-has-no-regrets-leaving-when-calls-the-heart-because-of-this-heartwarming-reason" target="_blank"><em>Entertainment Tonight</em></a> that he has “no regrets” about leaving. “It’s funny the way the world works. If I had stayed on the show, and been there during season 6 and shot and all that kind of stuff, then I wouldn’t have met [my fiancee] Nadia, you know? And I wouldn’t be getting married and I wouldn’t be at this place in my life where I feel really in line with what I’m meant to be doing personally and professionally, so no regrets at all,” he told the outlet. </p> <p>After leaving the show, Lissing had recurring guest roles on CBS’ <em>S.W.A.T.</em>, ABC’s <em>The Rookie</em> and FOX’s<em> The Cleaning Lady</em>. He also hasn’t cut ties with Hallmark or his co-star Krakow. The pair will be reuniting in the upcoming holiday movie <em>Santa Tell Me</em>, which will premiere as part of the network’s 2024 Countdown to Christmas lineup. Lissing announced the exciting news on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3BouAZPQsu/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, writing alongside a press release: “What a nice why to start the year… reuniting with @erinkrakow on this fun holiday movie 🎥🍿🎄Who’s excited??”</p> <p>Lissing has also appeared in a handful of holiday movies for rival network Great American Family, including 2022’s <em>Catering Christmas</em> and 2023’s <em>Christmas Keepsake</em>. </p>
Image: ©Hallmark Entertainment/Courtes
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<p>Lori Loughlin was a main cast member for seasons 1-6. She starred as Abigail Stanton, one of the first widows introduced on the show. She moved to Hope Valley several years before her husband Noah and son Peter died in a mine explosion.</p> <p>Hallmark cut ties with her in 2019 after news of her involvement in the nationwide college admissions scandal broke. In August 2020, the actress was sentenced to two months in prison, two years of supervised release, a $150,000 fine and 100 hours of community service.</p> <p>In 2023, Loughlin began working with rival network Great American Family. So far, she has appeared in the holiday movies <em>Fall Into Winter</em> and <em>Blessings of Christmas</em>. </p> <p>Although it’s unlikely that <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/soaps/news/681100/lori-loughlin-return-when-calls-the-heart/" target="_blank">she will return to <em>WCTH</em></a>, it’s not impossible. While appearing on the <em>Heart to Hearties</em> podcast in October 2023, co-creator Brian Bird teased the possibility of Loughlin reprising her role as Abigail Stanton. “Our attitude always has been, as the producing team around the writing team around <em>When Calls the Heart</em>, that what better place for second chances than Hope Valley?” he said. “So, in theory, it should work, right? But again, can’t fully promise it, but we’re working on it.</p>
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<p>Paul Greene came on board during Season 4 as Dr. Carson Shepherd, Hope Valley’s new town doctor. He left in Season 8 to pursue new opportunities and focus on his family. At the time, he was expecting his first child with fiancée Kate Austin. </p> <p>Greene has kept very busy since leaving the show. He’s starred in several Great American Family holiday movies, including <em>I’m Glad It’s Christmas</em> and <em>Bringing Christmas Home</em>, as well as the CBS original movie <em>Fit for Christmas</em>. He’s also started making music, a longtime passion of his. </p> <p>While speaking to <a href="https://www.tvinsider.com/1071398/paul-greene-christmas-movies-when-calls-the-heart-candace-cameron-bure/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ" target="_blank"><em>TV Insider</em></a> in November 2022, the actor discussed whether or not he’d ever return to <em>WCTH</em>. “There have been talks about some different approaches to completing that storyline or expanding that,” he told the outlet. “That falls into the hands of the gods.” He added that he is happy with his decision to leave. </p> <p>“There are so many cool projects I’m involved in. When you’re on a series, you might be able to sneak in one or two things. I loved being on it, but there are so many other projects I wanted to do,” he explained. “I helped produce a pilot. I’ve been involved in a [<em>Jaguar My Love</em>] film for two years that I’m proud of. If I was on a series, that all wouldn’t happen.”</p> <p>He continued: “I also had a baby and was able to be there for the whole pregnancy. I would never give up any of that for extra seasons. I have my gift…I make music, I have a podcast. I’m writing a parenting book. I try to be as present for all the little things. There is the whole fitness side. My wife and I coach people through a transformation process and a program called Freedom Alchemist.”</p>
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<p>Aren Buchholz appeared on seasons 3-8 as Jesse Flynn, a main antagonist who later married Clara Stanton. He was written off for creative reasons after Jesse and Clara tied the knot and moved out of Hope Valley.</p> <p>Although Buchholz hasn’t appeared in any other Hallmark shows or movies since his time on <em>WCTH</em> ended, he has continued to act. He had a recurring role on the TV series <em>Reginald the Vampire</em> and a guest role on the series <em>Family Law</em>. His credits also include the movies <em>Heatwave, Disappearance in Yellowstone</em> and <em>Why Can’t My Life Be a Rom Com?</em> </p>
Image: ©Hallmark Entertainment/Courtes
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<p>Eva Bourne starred as Clara Stanon, Abigail Stanton’s daughter-in-law, for seasons 2-8. Clara was the widow of Abigail’s son, Peter Stanton. She and Peter were married for just two days before he was killed in the coal mine collapse with his father and 46 other men. Eva later married Jesse Flynn and left Hope Valley. </p> <p>Bourne hasn’t done much acting since leaving the show in 2021, but she has maintained her ties with Hallmark. She starred in the network’s 2023 romance flick <em>Make Me a Match</em> as Vivi, a woman who enlists the help of an Indian Matchmaker to change her fate in love. She also had a small role in the 2022 Netflix series <em>Devil in Ohio</em>.</p>
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