Former Hallmark star Lori Loughlin is returning to TV in a new movie. Fall Into Winter will premiere on Great American Family, a new network started by former Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott.
It is her second role on television following a college admissions scandal that sent the former Full House actress to prison.
“Lori is a genre-defining star that I have had the honor to call a close friend and collaborator for more than 15 years,” Abbott said. “We have a shared vision for creating meaningful and memorable movies that resonate with our passionate fans, and I look forward to welcoming her back to Great American Family to anchor our 2023 winter programming slate.”
New movie
In Fall Into Winter, Loughlin plays Keely, a woman whose brother tries to sell his half of their family-owned, upscale candy shop to his best friend from high school (who happens to be her nemesis from high school). According to a synopsis from Great American Family, “Fate brings the pair together. Might it also offer new beginnings?”
The movie is her second role for the network. In 2021, she reprised her role of Abigail Stanton on a Christmas special for When Hope Calls, a spinoff of the popular Hallmark series When Calls the Heart.
Hallmark cuts ties
Loughlin was filming Season 6 of When Calls the Heart when news broke of her involvement in a college admissions scandal.
In March 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts charged 50 people with falsifying their children’s test scores and athletic abilities to gain admission to top universities. Both Loughlin and her husband, J. Mossimo Giannulli, pleaded guilty to charges of wire and mail fraud. She served two months in prison, paid a $150,000 fine, and was ordered to complete 150 hours of community service.
Loughlin completed her prison sentence in December 2020. She also performed 100 hours of community service. According to reports from US Weekly, Loughlin also paid $500,000 to put two students through college.
When news of the charges broke, filming on When Calls the Heart was brought to a halt. Hallmark decided to write her character, Abigail Stanton, out of the show.
Fans sound off
Fans have been vocal on social media about her return to TV. Some are happy for the star.
“Lori served her time and is now back, happy for her,” wrote one on Great American Family’s Facebook page.
Others are unhappy with the network’s decision to let her star in a feature film.
“Not ready to see her again,” another one wrote. “Will probably skip this one.”
Fall Into Winter will premiere on Great American Family on Saturday, January 28 at 8/7c.
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Former Hallmark star Lori Loughlin is returning to TV in a new movie. Fall Into Winter will premiere on Great American Family, a new network started by former Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott.
It is her second role on television following a college admissions scandal that sent the former Full House actress to prison.
“Lori is a genre-defining star that I have had the honor to call a close friend and collaborator for more than 15 years,” Abbott said. “We have a shared vision for creating meaningful and memorable movies that resonate with our passionate fans, and I look forward to welcoming her back to Great American Family to anchor our 2023 winter programming slate.”
New movie
In Fall Into Winter, Loughlin plays Keely, a woman whose brother tries to sell his half of their family-owned, upscale candy shop to his best friend from high school (who happens to be her nemesis from high school). According to a synopsis from Great American Family, “Fate brings the pair together. Might it also offer new beginnings?”
The movie is her second role for the network. In 2021, she reprised her role of Abigail Stanton on a Christmas special for When Hope Calls, a spinoff of the popular Hallmark series When Calls the Heart.
Hallmark cuts ties
Loughlin was filming Season 6 of When Calls the Heart when news broke of her involvement in a college admissions scandal.
In March 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts charged 50 people with falsifying their children’s test scores and athletic abilities to gain admission to top universities. Both Loughlin and her husband, J. Mossimo Giannulli, pleaded guilty to charges of wire and mail fraud. She served two months in prison, paid a $150,000 fine, and was ordered to complete 150 hours of community service.
Loughlin completed her prison sentence in December 2020. She also performed 100 hours of community service. According to reports from US Weekly, Loughlin also paid $500,000 to put two students through college.
When news of the charges broke, filming on When Calls the Heart was brought to a halt. Hallmark decided to write her character, Abigail Stanton, out of the show.
Fans sound off
Fans have been vocal on social media about her return to TV. Some are happy for the star.
“Lori served her time and is now back, happy for her,” wrote one on Great American Family’s Facebook page.
Others are unhappy with the network’s decision to let her star in a feature film.
“Not ready to see her again,” another one wrote. “Will probably skip this one.”
Fall Into Winter will premiere on Great American Family on Saturday, January 28 at 8/7c.