Since its debut in 2014, Hallmark’s “When Calls the Heart” has garnered a tonne of support from fans. The most cherished of the many endearing relationships the drama series has seen is that between Elizabeth (Erin Krakow) and Jack (Daniel Lissing). Despite having different personalities when they initially meet, the two eventually get close and even get married. While tragic events in season 5 caused Jack to leave the show, fans are still curious as to whether their favourite character would make a comeback. So, let’s talk about the same and the reasons Daniel departed “When Calls the Heart” now. Spoilers follow.
Why Did Jack Leave When Calls the Heart?
Since Elizabeth first arrives in Hope Valley, Jack Thornton plays a significant role in her life. Despite having a rocky beginning, they ultimately fall head over heels in love and are married. Constable Jack of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police is called away on duty to a training camp, though, in the season 5 finale. He is leading a group of recruits when there is a landslip, and he must put himself in danger to save them. Unluckily, Jack sacrifices his life while defending the recruits, putting Elizabeth in a terrible situation.
A touching letter from Jack that he had written in case he couldn’t return home after his deployment is shortly discovered by Elizabeth. It tenderly acknowledges her presence in his life and exhorts her to try again for love and happiness. Elizabeth finds out she is expecting her husband’s kid, which surprises her because she is so distraught over his passing. She eventually gives birth to a son, whom she names Jack in honour of his deceased father.
According to rumours, Daniel Lissing made the decision not to extend his contract after season 5 and moved on to another endeavour. As a result, the show wrote out Jack’s character by showing his tragic demise. The producers chose not to use a replacement since Lissing’s connection with co-star Erin Krakow was unmatchable. Additionally, it wouldn’t have made sense to arbitrarily separate Elizabeth and Jack’s relationship, so they gave the character a fitting send-off by inventing the plot line involving Jack’s demise and the letter he left behind.
Is Daniel Lissing Returning to When Calls the Heart?
Fans could be entice by the thought of Jack going back to Hope Valley, but alas, it is illogical for a variety of reasons. First off, save from a few flashback scenes, the character cannot be permanently reintroduced into the plot because he died in season 5. Moreover, Jack’s character couldn’t fit well in Elizabeth’s story arc because she has already moved on with Lucas following her husband’s passing and is getting married to him.
Last but not least, neither Daniel nor the showrunners have made any announcements indicating he will return to “When Calls the Heart.” Paul Greene, who plays Dr. Carson Shepherd on the show, posted a 2021 YouTube video in which Daniel discussed how he realised leaving behind his successful run on the show could be a risk, but he was certain about wanting to “switch paths.”
The actor then added, “Circumstances happened for me where I needed to leave ‘When Calls the Heart’ for reasons that are extremely personal to me,’ in a Facebook live interview with Entertainment Tonight.Hallmark was quite supportive of me when I went there. When I went to the females, they were nothing but encouraging. Daniel has acted in a lot of popular films and TV shows since leaving the show. Speaking once again of “When Calls the Heart,” no official source has given any hints that Jack would visit Hope Valley in season 10 or any subsequent episodes.
