Hallmark Media President And CEO Wonya Lucas Stepping Down
In a shocking announcement, Hallmark Media President and CEO Wonya Lucas is stepping down from her role.
When will she be leaving? In addition, what are some of the changes she made? Did everything work out, or were fans unhappy about some of her decisions?
Wonya Lucas Is Stepping Down From Hallmark Media CEO Role
On Tuesday, Broadcasting And Cable reported that Hallmark Media President and CEO Wonya Lucas is stepping down from her role. She will leave her role at the company at the end of 2023. However, she will remain on the board.
She revealed that she is “honored” and “tremendously proud” of her work on the network. But, she has other ambitions.
My passion for the Hallmark brand has grown in deeply rewarding ways and will remain paramount as I continue to help guide Hallmark Media’s future in a more strategically focused capacity.
Mike Perry, the President & CEO of Hallmark Companies will be there to “lead the day-to-day operations of the media business and complete the process of Lucas’ transition.”
Departing Hallmark Media CEO Made Diversity Changes
When Wonya Lucas joined then-named Crown Media in the summer of 2020, she had a lot to deal with. Besides the challenges of filming during Covid, she started to increase the diversity in Hallmark movies.
The former CEO, Bill Abbott, who is now the CEO of Great American Family, left due to his handling of a wedding planning ad featuring two women kissing. Hallmark’s lack of diversity was put into question.
Since then, there have been more same-gender relationships on the network. In addition, she launched Hallmark Mahogany. This is a label of movies that celebrate Black culture.
In addition, during the Lucas era, there was crying in Hallmark movies. Back in the Abbott era, an actress could not shed more than a tear.
Most of all, Hallmark now has comedy. Previously, the network limited humor. But now, there is true comedy. Two of the funniest movies were the successful Christmas movies Haul Out The Holly, and Three Wise Men And A Baby.
Sleuthers Unhappy With How Mystery 101 Ended
Although Wonya Lucas made a lot of diversity changes that viewers are happy about, what has made many people frustrated was her stance on mysteries.
Firstly, Sleuthers are not willing to forgive and forget Hallmark for canceling Mystery 101 without resolving the cliffhanger. Moreover, the way the series that starred Kristoffer Polaha and Jill Wagner was canceled, via social media, was not an ideal way to share some major programming news.
This also hurt the integrity of the network leaving fans with a major cliffhanger.
Next, there was a huge pause when Wonya first started. That eighth Mystery 101 was not the only delay. For nearly a year, there was a trickle of content on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel, with mostly dramatic movies and very few mysteries. If you are a Sleuther, 2021 was a bleak year.
Eventually, the network released a cornucopia of new mystery series. However, only one, Curious Caterer, was made into more than one mystery. In the Bill Abbott era, the network would make and release three new mystery movies in a series. This helped build the characters and create fan loyalty.
Unfortunately, the separate movies did not build up the sort of loyalty that old favorites earned.
Sleuthers Unhappy With How Wonya Lucas Put Hold On Mysteries
Lastly, many, many mysteries such as Crossword Mysteries, Chronicles Mysteries, and Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries just ended. These starred such well-known Hallmark actors as Lacey Chabert, Brennan Elliott, Alison Sweeney, and Jesse Metcalfe.
Lastly, the mysteries that were canceled, like Kellie Martin’s Hailey Dean Mysteries, or Danica McKeller’s Matchmaker Mysteries were announced through the star’s social media.
Most of all, many Hallmark fans who supported and welcomed many of the new changes were upset that Wonya Lucas made changes not because they were needed, but to just change. Instead, they alienated Sleuthers during a time when mysteries like Only Murders In The Building, Poker Face, and Knives Out are some of the biggest hits on television.
Wonya Lucas Had Mixed Results With Series
In addition to mystery issues, Wonya Lucas had some uneven results with its Hallmark series. Early on, she canceled Good Witch, a long-running fan-favorite. Next, Chesapeake Shores was also canceled.
The CEO brought in two new series, The Way Home, and Ride. The former was a huge success and has been renewed. However, the family rodeo drama is still in limbo.
Thankfully for Hearties, When Calls The Heart survived and thrived.
But, now there will be a new CEO and there could be more changes. Hallmark fans, what are your favorite changes from the Wonya Lucas era? Also, what do you hope the next Hallmark CEO does with the network?
