Could Daniel Lissing return to When Calls the Heart?

Daniel Lissing portrayed Constable Jack Thornton on When Calls the Heart for five seasons before his character was killed off-screen. Lissing had wanted to leave the series, and while fans were devastated at first, most of them have moved beyond their disappointment. They are now even rooting for Jack’s widow, Elizabeth Thornton to have a happily ever after with the man she’s now in love with, Lucas Bouchard.

But for the first time since Lissing left the Hope Valley community over four years ago, he’ll return to the character in, according to Etonline, a brief cameo scene, playing opposite Lori Loughlin in When Calls the Heart’s spin-off series, When Hope Calls.

Fans are assuming this will be a dream sequence, and if that’s the case, does this open the door for Lissing’s character to put in an appearance on When Calls the Heart?

Daniel Lissing’s return to When Calls the Heart would make sense

As I said, most of the fans have moved on, but there is still a percentage that harbors resentment over Jack’s death even though it was Lissing’s choice to leave the series. Those fans have been asking for Lissing’s return, and though a dream or daydream sequence with Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) wouldn’t be exactly what they are asking for, it would go a long way toward providing some final closure.

Jack died off-screen and far away from Elizabeth who didn’t get the opportunity to say goodbye to him. With her moving on with a new relationship, it stands to reason she might want to have a conversation with her deceased husband. And though she could talk to Jack at his grave, the scene would be so much more powerful if Jack came to Elizabeth in her dreams to tell her he was serious about wanting her to move on and find love again.

And Lissing has already said he’s willing to return as his former character. Back at the beginning of 2020, ET spoke with Lissing who told them he would return to When Calls the Heart if asked.

"“Look, if Hallmark called me for anything, I’d be there. They were there for me for five years so of course, I love those guys, so anytime.”"

Although When Hope Calls will air on GAC Family and When Halls the Heart airs on the Hallmark Channel, with Lissing’s willingness, that shouldn’t preclude Constable Jack Thornton from riding back into Hope Valley…even if it is only in Elizabeth’s dreams.