Celebrity News
Melissa Gilbert Reveals Unexpected Setback in Emotional Update
Melissa Gilbert will not return for ‘When Calls the Heart’ Season 14.
After thrilling fans by appearing as Georgie McGill on the Hallmark Channel series When Calls the Heart, Melissa Gilbert has shared disappointing news with fans. She revealed she will not be returning to the series for Season 14.
On July 16, Gilbert shared a statement on Instagram regarding her role on When Calls the Heart. It began, “Many people have asked if I will be returning to When Calls the Heart this coming season. The answer to that is no I will not.”
Gilbert continued, “I am told this is due to ‘Budget issues.'”
“That said, I wish all my sweet friends in Hope Valley a wonderful and successful season 14,” she added.
In the caption, Gilbert wrote, “I will be eternally grateful to my dear friend @michaellandonjr1 for giving me the chance to bring Georgie McGill to life.”
The former Little House on the Prairie star noted, “It was a lovely couple of seasons but it’s time to say farewell. When one door closes, another one opens. Looking forward to whatever comes next.”
The person that Gilbert thanked in her caption was Michael Landon Jr., the executive producer and director of Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart. Of course, Gilbert and Landon have a decades-long connection, given that he’s the son of Little House on the Prairie icon Michael Landon, who played Charles Ingalls.
Gilbert appeared in two episodes of When Calls the Heart Season 12 and five episodes of Season 13. After her last stint wrapped, she signaled she would be interested in returning for Season 14, as well. McGill had a past with Jack Wagner‘s Bill Avery, and there seemed to still be sparks between them.
Unfortunately, at least for now, “Hearties” will not get the opportunity to see what might have developed between the two in Hope Valley.
Hallmark’s decision not to bring back Gilbert comes as her husband, Timothy Busfield, navigates legal issues. Gilbert has made it clear she stands behind her husband as the case proceeds.
As People reported, Busfield was indicted by a grand jury on multiple counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor child. Authorities in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, have filed four third-degree felony charges against Busfield.
Busfield has pleaded not guilty to all four counts. His trial is currently slated to begin in March 2027.
Hallmark Responds to Melissa Gilbert’s Announcement
Hallmark provided a statement to People regarding Gilbert’s revelation. It read, “We can confirm that Melissa’s storyline on When Calls the Heart concluded in season 13. We adore Melissa and are always grateful when we get to work with her.”
While Gilbert will not be back for Season 14 of When Calls the Heart, fans already know that Lori Loughlin is returning as Abigail Stanton.
Before her surprise appearance in the Season 13 finale, Loughlin last appeared on the show in Season 6, which aired in 2019. She was written out of the series as she faced her own legal issues at the time.
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