Lori Loughlin on Hallmark Return, ‘When Calls the Heart’ Arc, and New Christmas Movie
The actress discusses reprising her role in ‘Garage Sale Mysteries,’ teasing a secret for Abigail Stanton, and her upcoming Christmas film with Tom Cavanagh.
Lori Loughlin is back on the Hallmark Channel, returning to the franchise that first introduced her as the crime-solving Jennifer Shannon in 2013’s Garage Sale Mystery. The latest installment, Garage Sale Mysteries: Murder Takes the Stage, sees Shannon investigating a murder at her true-crime book club, which is reenacting the infamous Borden murders. Loughlin described the return as feeling “familiar” and “like coming home,” reuniting with co-stars Sarah Strange and Kevin O’Grady.
The film’s focus on the Lizzie Borden murders coincides with the release of Ryan Murphy's Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix. Loughlin called this timing a “fluke,” expressing admiration for Murphy’s work and noting that the Borden case remains compelling because of its ambiguity and the enduring mystery surrounding the motive.
“I think what has made it a lasting success is that the murder mysteries are interesting and fun. They’re not too scary. The whole family can watch it,” Loughlin said of the Garage Sale Mysteries franchise, now with 17 films. She highlighted the relatable characters and their dynamics, including Jennifer’s sometimes-frustrating but ultimately effective detective work and her grounded marriage to Jason.
Returning to her role as Abigail Stanton in When Calls the Heart also offered a sense of comfort. Loughlin teased that Abigail will return to Hope Valley with a secret that she gradually reveals to Elizabeth. "She enters with a little bit of mystery, which I really liked because it’s not typical Abigail," Loughlin stated. She expressed excitement about being reunited with her castmates and praised the writing for its blend of drama, fun, and romance.
In addition to her Hallmark projects, Loughlin is set to star alongside Tom Cavanagh in a new Christmas movie, What If Christmas. Loughlin described the film as having a unique, heartwarming, and slightly different approach for Hallmark, stemming from a script she had been developing for years.
When asked about her current viewing habits, Loughlin mentioned watching The Pitt, Furious, The Diplomat, Lioness, Landman, and The Madison, expressing a particular fondness for Taylor Sheridan’s work. She also noted she was eagerly anticipating Ryan Murphy's new show.
Garage Sale Mysteries: Murder Takes the Stage premiered on the Hallmark Channel, with next-day streaming available on Hallmark+.