We’re sure Ridley Scott can lend his expertise to the Hallmark Channel for a discounted fee! After a long “creative hiatus†that spurred from Lori Loughlin’s alleged involvement in the college admissions bribery scandal, When Calls the Heart — a quaint li’l show starring Loughlin in a leading role — will be airing the season’s remaining episodes beginning May 5. (Great news for fans, as the period drama is a ratings juggernaut for the network.) As EW reports, though, the episodes have been “re-edited in such a manner that removes any appearances by Loughlin,†which required “highly creative editing†and a few reshoots with the cast. An entire episode has also been cut to better accommodate these changes, bringing the season’s total episode count down to nine.
Days after news broke of Loughlin’s alleged ties to the scandal, the Hallmark Channel announced she had been fired from the network in all television and film capacities. “We are saddened by the recent news surrounding the college admissions allegations,†Hallmark said. “We are no longer working with Lori Loughlin and have stopped development of all productions.†Netflix sources also said there are “no plans†for Loughlin to return for Fuller House’s upcoming final season. In additional to facing charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services fraud, Loughlin was hit with an additional charge of money laundering this week, which could carry a significant amount of prison time. She has yet to enter a plea.