In 2018, Daniel Lissing abruptly left the famous Hallmark series When Calls the Heart, leaving many fans heartbroken. Particularly because his character, Jack Thornton, the male lead of the show, was killed off to make his exit easier.
Later, Daniel Lissing explained his side of the story in a series of interviews and social media messages.
Lissing has left for personal reasons.
Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow, and Brian Bird sat down with the handsome hunk in April 2018 to discuss the circumstances surrounding his departure from the show. He explained that he had to leave due to “very personal reasons.”
Despite the fact that the dashing hunk did not disclose the exact reasons at the time, he admitted that both the production and the cast were extremely supportive of his decision. The production then staged his character, Jack Thornton, being killed in a landslide while on a mission.
Off-screen, his co-star Lori Loughlin explained how, as actors, they had to make those decisions on their own and that their co-stars could and would honor their choices.
Actors have contracts and sometimes contracts expire and you have a choice to make. You either renegotiate or you don’t, and Dan has chosen to move on, we respect that. No judgment, we love him, we wish him well, he’s still part of the Hallmark family.
The showrunners considered seeking a suitable substitute for the star. Despite this, they decided against it due to his natural chemistry with his on-screen love interest Elizabeth (Erin Krakow).
Why He Left in the First Place
In a February 2021 interview with Paul Greene, he added that he was thankful for every day on set and that leaving was a “super tough decision.” He had also reached a point in his life where he desired to try something different.
Everyone thought I was crazy. Perhaps they were right. We’ll have to wait and see. I am confident in my mission… I have a very good idea of what I want to do and how I want to accomplish it.
All worked out for the star, who now has a recurring role on ABC’s The Rookie and is focusing on other projects.
Lissing does not have any regrets
Lissing appeared in an interview with Entertainment Tonight two years after leaving the Hallmark hit. He revealed in the interview that he had no regrets about leaving the show because it led to him meeting the love of his life.
He went on to say that if he had stayed for another season, he would not have met Nadid at the time he did. Lissing seemed very much in line with what he wanted out of life at the time, and he didn’t dwell about what-ifs. He was also pleased with how the show had progressed to a more optimistic plotline following his departure.
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