Overview
- Gilbert announced on July 16 that she will not return to the Hallmark series and wrote in an Instagram post that she was told the exit was for "budget issues."
- Hallmark Media confirmed to outlets that Gilbert's storyline concluded in Season 13 and said the company is grateful for her work on the show.
- Gilbert's husband, actor Timothy Busfield, was indicted earlier this year on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child; he has pleaded not guilty and has filed pretrial motions with a trial set for May 2027.
- Reaction on social media included fans who questioned whether the legal case influenced casting, but neither Gilbert nor Hallmark have said the indictment played a role in her departure.
- Season 14 is scheduled to film August–November 2026 with a likely early-2027 premiere and announced returns such as Lori Loughlin make near-term casting and publicity decisions especially consequential for the series.