AMP in the post
During the last episode of When Calls the Heart titled “In Perfect Unity,” Hearties got to enjoy Clara and Jesse’s wedding. During that episode, Clara mentioned people who weren’t able to attend their wedding. Many fans believed she was talking about Abigail Stanton, the role formerly played by Lori Loughlin.
When Calls the Heart without Lori Loughlin
Lori lost her job on the Hallmark Channel show after her involvement in a college admissions scandal was revealed. Her character, Abigail Stanton, was a fan favorite with Hearties, so saying goodbye to Lori’s character has been difficult.
However, as Lori and husband Mossimo Giannulli received charges during the college admissions scandal, Hallmark was quick to cut ties with her, which led to Abigail leaving Hope Valley for good. Fans heard about this last May, after When Calls the Heart returned from a break. In the storyline, Abigail left Hope Valley to look after her mother and no one knew if she would ever return.
At the time, Erin Krakow’s character, Elizabeth said they would all keep Abigail and her family in their prayers. However, she added that as a community, they are strong and would soldier on in Abigail’s absence.
AMP in the post
Clara and Jesse’s wedding
As season 7 carries on, everyone has other things to talk about, including Faith making new beginnings, Elizabeth’s famous love triangle and, of course, Clara and Jesse’s wedding. In the episode “In Perfect Unity,” Hearties got to watch as the town came together for the wedding, but were instantly reminded certain characters were absent.
During that episode, Bill and Clara have an emotional moment in Abigail’s Café. Bill notes Clara’s mood and asks her about it. She told him she was thinking about everyone that couldn’t attend her wedding. Bill assumed Clara was referring to her parents, but fans believed this was a subtle way to mention Abigail’s absence from Hope Valley.
Hearties headed to social media to bring this up, asking why Clara didn’t directly mention Abigail, who was like a second mother to her. Others brought up Jack’s absence and also said the wedding didn’t feel right without Abigail being there.
AMP in the post
One fan cleverly theorized Abigail could have been there all along. This was when Clara was getting in a panic over the torrential rain and whether it would affect their outdoor wedding. It was at that point her bridesmaid Fiona tried to calm Clara, telling her in some cultures, rain is considered to be good luck.
https://twitter.com/sjbobo58/status/1244445336044589057?s=20
A couple of Hearties referred to the time when Abigail was working on opening her café and it rained, causing the roof to leak. At that time, Abigail said something about rain being good luck.
While at the moment, there is no real chance of Abigail returning to Hope Valley, the show’s creator isn’t completely shutting the door on the character. He said during 2019 that he couldn’t agree more with fans about Abigail’s character, saying he was Lori’s friend. He said he thinks “having a heart of forgiveness does not mean that justice can be ignored.”
As long as Hearties keep hoping for Lori to reappear as Abigail, maybe this will happen in the future of When Calls the Heart.
YES, I would! Please bring Abigail back. I loved her, and she was one of my favorites!
YES!!! Let’s show forgiveness! Hope Valley needs her!!!
Yes, let’s bring Abigail back.
NO, not until the scandal is over. If found not guilty then bring her back. I am more upset about the child actor that played her adopted son (Cody) losing his job for her scandal. Hallmark could have kept him and had him stay with Lee & Rosemary while Abigail cares for her mother.