Over the past few years, numerous stars have parted ways with the Hallmark Channel.
From Hilarie Burton’s clash with the channel over LGBTQ representation to Lori Loughlin’s
now-infamous college admissions scandal, here’s why these stars left the Hallmark Channel.
Hilarie Burton captured the imagination of adolescent boys everywhere playing Peyton
Sawyer on the smash hit series "One Tree Hill" for six seasons.
Later, she won over the execs at Crown Media Family Networks, where she went on to star
in multiple Hallmark movies.
These included "Surprised by Love" opposite Paul Campbell, "Summer Villa" co-starring
Victor Webster, and the Christmas film "Naughty or Nice" with Matt Dallas.
According to the 39-year-old Burton, she left the channel after insisting on more racially
diverse and LGBTQ coverage, to no avail.
Burton wrote on Twitter:
"I was told 'take it or leave it'.
I left it.
And the paycheck."
In 2020, the Hallmark Channel premiered "The Christmas House", which features the network's
first LGBTQ storyline involving a main character.
Burton was asked if she might return to Hallmark now that the channel is releasing more diverse
movies.
Her response was:
"They said they don't know me.
Uh huh."
It must have been too little, too late.
Lori Loughlin's best-known role on Hallmark was as Abigail Stanton in the fan-favorite
series "When Calls the Heart."
Loughlin enjoyed her time on the show, saying:
"It's very, um, geared towards family, which I like.
That's the kind of television I grew up watching."
Loughlin is now returning to the role, but don't get it twisted.
Aunt Becky will not be associated with Hallmark in any sense of the word.
Loughlin was let go by Crown Media Family Networks after being charged and later indicted
in a massive college admissions scandal.
She received a two-month federal prison sentence.
But Loughlin is pulling off the seemingly improbable feat of reprising her popular Abigail
Stanton character without Hallmark.
This is thanks to GAC Family, a new TV channel launched by Bill Abbott, a former Crown Meda
CEO and Hallmark executive.
GAC Family has created "When Hope Calls", a spinoff of "When Calls the Heart."
You can catch her in the two-part Season 2 premiere titled "When Hope Calls: A Country
Christmas", on GAC.
Not all of Hallmark's departures have been rooted in controversy.
You might have seen Trevor Donovan in the network's "Nantucket Noel" in November 2021.
He recently broke his Hallmark streak to sign an exclusive deal with GAC Family.
The former "90210" alum made his GAC Family debut in "Jingle Bell Princess" in December
2021 alongside co-star Merritt Patterson.
Patterson starred in "Gingerbread Miracle" on Hallmark in November 2021.
Donovan was very excited for the release of "Jingle Bell Princess", saying
"I just can't wait for people to see it.
I can't wait to see it myself."
While Donovan himself is happy with this new stage of his career, his departure might be
hard news for Hallmark fans who've grown to love his holiday work.
Previously, he starred in "Marry Me at Christmas" in 2017, "SnowComing," "Love, Fall & Order,"
and "Nostalgic Christmas" in 2019, and then "USS Christmas" in 2020, and "Two for the
Win" in 2021.
Danica McKellar is a Hallmark movie legend, having appeared in over a dozen movies since
2015, including seven Christmas films.
But McKellar will no longer be a part of your Hallmark holiday, as she too has signed an
exclusive deal with GAC Family.
Bill Abbott, President & CEO of GAC Media, said to Deadline:
"Danica is a world-class talent who is among TV's most beloved and enduring stars.
Her combination of creativity and passion is second to none, and I am thrilled to have
her join GAC's close-knit family."
Many originally knew McKellar as the child star who played Winnie Cooper from "The Wonder
Years".
McKellar is now all grown up and set to star and executive produce four new films in her
new partnership.
Her last holiday effort for Hallmark was "You, Me & the Christmas Trees", which premiered
on the channel in December 2021.
Not long before that, she appeared in the murder mystery hit series "Matchmaker Mysteries:
The Art of the Kill."
Needless to say, if your family holiday movie tradition centered around McKellar, it's time
to switch favorite celebs, or just switch networks.
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