Honestly, it feels like a lifetime ago that the "Operation Varsity Blues" headlines were everywhere. You remember the ones—the photos of Lori Loughlin walking into federal court, the debates over privilege, and the massive fallout that essentially erased her from television for a while. It was messy. But if you’re wondering what is Lori Loughlin doing now, the answer is a lot more complicated than just "laying low."
As of early 2026, Loughlin is officially back in the good graces of the networks that once dropped her, but her personal life has taken a pretty massive hit. It’s a classic Hollywood "second act" story, though it’s definitely not a breeze.
The Big Return to Hope Valley
The news that basically broke the internet (or at least the Hallmark-loving corner of it) late last year was the confirmation that Loughlin is returning to When Calls the Heart. For years, fans—who call themselves "Hearties"—have been campaigning for Abigail Stanton to come back to the fictional town of Hope Valley.
Basically, Hallmark finally said yes.
She’s set to reprise her role in Season 14. Now, the timing is a bit tricky because Season 13 just premiered this January, meaning we won't actually see her face on the Hallmark Channel until 2027. Still, the fact that the network rehired her is a huge signal. It means the "cancel culture" phase of her career is officially over. Michelle Vicary, a top exec at Hallmark, even said that the brand is about "hope and connection," which is a pretty clear way of saying they’ve forgiven her.
👉 See also: Addison Rae and The Kid LAROI: What Really Happened
Before this big Hallmark news, she’d been staying busy over at Great American Family. She did a few movies there like Fall Into Winter and A Christmas Blessing. It's interesting because she’s been following the lead of her old co-star Candace Cameron Bure, who also moved over to that network.
A Surprise Pivot into Gritty Drama
If you think she's only doing tea-and-scones period pieces, think again. Loughlin surprised everyone by joining a Dick Wolf production. Yeah, the Law & Order guy.
She landed a role as Lieutenant Bishop in the Prime Video series On Call. It’s a police drama that uses a "cinema verité" style—think bodycams and dash-cameras. It’s a world away from the "Aunt Becky" persona. The show premiered in early 2025, and seeing her play a hardened cop alongside Troian Bellisario was definitely a choice that signaled she’s ready to be taken seriously as a dramatic actress again.
She even poked fun at her own scandal on Curb Your Enthusiasm. In a 2024 episode, she played a "heightened" version of herself who uses her "bad girl" reputation to cheat at golf and hustle her way into country clubs. It was a bold move. Honestly, it showed she has a sense of humor about the whole $500,000 bribery mess.
✨ Don't miss: Game of Thrones Actors: Where the Cast of Westeros Actually Ended Up
The End of a 28-Year Marriage
While her career is on the upswing, her personal life is in a different spot. In October 2025, news broke that Lori and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, had separated. They were married for nearly 28 years.
They’ve been living apart for a few months now.
Sources close to them say the strain of the college admissions scandal and the subsequent prison time—she served two months, he served five—just became too much to overcome. It’s sorta sad when you think about it; they weathered the entire legal storm together only to fall apart once the dust finally settled. Her rep confirmed they are "taking a break," and while no legal divorce papers have been filed yet, they’ve already put their $16.5 million Hidden Hills mansion on the market.
Staying Grounded and "Moving Forward"
Loughlin hasn’t done a ton of "tell-all" interviews, but she did talk to First for Women about how she copes with the drama. Her big secret? Golf.
🔗 Read more: Is The Weeknd a Christian? The Truth Behind Abel’s Faith and Lyrics
She’s admitted she’s actually "terrible" at it, but she uses it to get away from her phone and reset. It’s her way of dealing with the "hardship" she frequently mentions in interviews. She’s very focused on the idea of perseverance. "Nobody said life was going to be a breeze," she told the magazine.
Her daughters, Olivia Jade and Bella, are also doing their own thing. Olivia is back to being a massive influencer with her YouTube channel and podcasts, and apparently, the girls are staying neutral in their parents' separation.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to catch up with Lori's latest work or keep tabs on her return, here's the best way to do it:
- Watch her new drama: Check out On Call on Prime Video to see her shift into a more serious, gritty role as Lieutenant Bishop.
- Catch the holiday vibes: You can stream Fall Into Winter on Netflix if you want that classic Loughlin rom-com feel.
- Prep for the "Hearties" Return: If you're a When Calls the Heart fan, keep an eye on the second half of 2026 for casting news and set photos as she begins filming Season 14.
- Follow the daughters: If you want the most "real-time" look at her family life, Olivia Jade’s YouTube channel often features glimpses of their day-to-day world, though they’re much more careful about what they post these days.
Lori Loughlin's journey from TV's favorite aunt to a federal inmate and back to a leading lady is one of the more wild arcs in Hollywood. She’s definitely proving that in the world of entertainment, a comeback is always possible if you’re willing to "just keep moving forward."