The Real Reason Why Daniel Lissing Left ‘When Calls The Heart’

When Daniel Lissing left When Calls The Heart, hearties were, well, heartbroken. When Jack Thornton died, and Lissing left WCTH at the end of Season 5, he left a lot of unhappy fans. However, Daniel Lissing has no regrets about leaving the top Hallmark series.

Should fans support his reason for moving on?

What Is The Real Reason Why Daniel Lissing Left When Calls The Heart?

Although it has been two full seasons since his shocking departure, hearties still miss Daniel Lissing. Why did he leave When Comes The Heart? Brian Bell, the co-creator of the series, shared that the Aussie-born actor had wanted to leave for two seasons. Lissing did not share his exact reasons why. However, he felt the need to move on and try new things.

Moreover, Bell points out that Hope Valley does not hold people back. Of course they would let him go. In addition, they were not about to replace Daniel Lissing with another actor. This is the very actor that fans adore. They could not do this to the fans. So, they killed him off.

This was one of the biggest shocks to fans. Hallmark is the network of positivity, so the death of a major character was a total shock. But, was it all worth it?

Why Leaving Was Worth It All

After the WCTH Season 5 hoopla, it soon became time to film Season 6. Subsequently, while the cast returned to Hope Valley, Daniel Lissing went traveling. He was in Iceland when he met a recently graduated university student named Nadia. After a few libations, the two spoke. After a few dates, Nadia learned that he was an actor.

According to an interview with Entertainment Tonight, just last summer, the couple married in a small, private ceremony. Daniel and Nadia Lissing originally planned on getting married in Bali, one of their favorite destination spots. Family and friends like WCTH costar Erin Krakow were invited to attend.

However, due to the coronavirus quarantine, the couple decided that getting married and being together was more important than anything else in the world. They hope to host that very Bali wedding in 2021.

Daniel Lissing points out that if he had not been at the right place, at the right time, he would not have met his soul mate. Now, isn’t that worth all of that tears of losing Jack Thornton from the second highest scripted cable show on television, second only to The Walking Dead?

Daniel Lissing Would Like To Return, When Calls The Heart Cast Wants Him To Return

Would Daniel Lissing consider coming back to the Hallmark series for a cameo? Absolutely! He loved his horse, driver Uncle Gary and the tight-knit crew of this beloved series. And, he had special chemistry with Erin Krakow. But this would only be to visit. Jack did write to Elizabeth that he would always be “watching over” her, and for the rest of her days. It would make sense if he appeared in some sort of dream scenario.

Moreover, he is not the only one that wants Jack Thornton to return.

Before the When Calls The Heart Season 7 premiere, the entire cast participated in a Facebook Live event. They were asked who they would want to guest star on the show, and Erin pipped up and said “Daniel.” There is no doubt that this would make the cast quite happy. A Daniel Lissing cameo would make a lot of fans more than a little happy.

When Calls The Heart Season 8 premieres on Sunday, February 21, at 9 p.m. Eastern, on the Hallmark Channel.

Georgia Makitalo

4 Comments

  1. When the long-time boyfriend (Ben Rosenbaum) of the leading actress (Erin Krakow) is also cast in a role on the show, it is no surprise that Erin Krakow did not fight to keep Daniel Lissing on the show. The magic that Daniel and Erin have on screen had to be hard for a boyfriend to watch – especially the romance scenes. Add in the fact that both Erin and Lori were made executive producers, but no such opportunity was offered to Daniel, then the contract negotiation aspect mentioned by Lori Laughlin makes sense.
    As a class act, Mr. Lissing has never discussed the situation in any detail except his reasons for leaving were very personal. Not being named an executive producer with a salary bump as part of his contract negotiations to stay on the show was a poor decision made by Hallmark. But Daniel did get a happy ending by meeting his wife, Nadia. He is a great actor and I agree – a storyline could have been written to bring him back – at a better salary!! GAC found a way.

  2. For me,watching TV had become a total bore.
    I just enjoy live cams while I study and write.
    But late last year,in 2024,I came upon this show.
    I watched the first episode,and loved it.
    It was so well written and lovingly funny,I said I was wrong about disliking Hallmark.
    I told my wife and we watched it together.
    As the first season ended I was a bit annoyed because the writing was getting icky.
    The second season picked up and once again,we loved it.Once again,back and forth and up and down went the writing!
    How many western gang stories can you repeat?
    How many ups and downs in a relationship people love just when the fans are happy again?
    Does the writer enjoy making us miserable????
    My wife discovered they had killed the Jack character off and we saw the scene where his funeral took place.
    I said hey,we can keep going.
    Then,the first major blunder of dozens.
    They made her a snob and introduced her family.
    worse,her teaching was not important anymore.
    The kids were seldom on,and that lousy unbearable music played a loop louder than the people talking and it never went with the show or plot.
    I hated it and every season it grew louder and more distracting.Noise!
    I told my wife that as soon as he dies,that is it.
    I never want to hurt my ears like this again,and never will Hallmark make me miserable again.
    She wanted to drop before I even did.
    The fact that I look a bit like the guy did not help when he was killed off.
    I said never again.
    True to my word,that has happened and it has been in 14 years?
    How?
    I wager these things may have been part of why the guy left if he ever sat down and watched it by himself?
    He met his wife at a perfect moment!
    Then I come here and read how that stupid network??? cheated the guy out of promoting him?
    He probably did not want it but at least ask.
    Worse,a cheap replacement mounty was brought on within a year?
    Hey,maybe it’s good and I am wrong,but I will not chance my nerves by watching it to see.
    The mayor character became good(Owen),and those children were blessed and talented!
    But true to frown,Hallmark missed the mark.
    I wish Daniel Lissing all the best years later,and thank him for NOT coming back and spoiling a good thing like the first few years.
    That is all.

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