Daniel Lissing walked out of the celebrated Hallmark series When Calls the Heart in 2018, leaving many fans devastated. Especially since his character, Jack Thornton, who was the show’s male lead, was killed off to facilitate his exit. 

Later, he came forward with a series of interviews and social media posts to explain his side of things. 

Lissing Left for Personal Reasons

Back in April 2018, the handsome hunk sat down with Lori Loughlin, Erin Krakow, and Brian Bird to discuss the circumstances surrounding his exit from the show. He disclosed he had to walk out because of “very personal reasons.” 

Although the handsome hunk did not reveal the exact reasons at the time, he confessed that both the production and cast were really supportive of his decision. Following that, the production organized for his character, Jack Thornton, to be killed in a landslide while on a mission. 

Off-screen, his co-star Loughlin explained how, as actors, there were certain things that they had to decide on their own and that their colleagues should and would respect whatever decision they made. 

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 entertained the idea of finding a replacement for the actor. Still, considering the natural chemistry that he shared with his on-screen love interest Elizabeth (Erin Krakow), they decided otherwise.  

The Real Reason He Left

In another conversation with Paul Greene in February 2021, he added he was grateful for every day that he was on set, and it was a “super tough decision to walk away.” At the same time, he had reached a point in his life where he wanted to try something new. 

Everyone said I was crazy. Maybe they were right. Time will tell. I believe in my purpose … I’ve got a very clear vision of what I want to do and how I want to do it.

It all worked out well for the actor who landed a recurring role in ABC’s The Rookie and is working on other business ventures too.

Lissing Has No Regrets

Two years after his exit from the Hallmark hit, Lissing appeared in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. In the interview, he revealed how he had no regrets about leaving the show because that decision eventually led to him finding the love of his life. 

He elaborated how if he had stayed for another season, he would not have met his wife Nadid when he did. As things were, Lissing felt very in line with what he wanted out of life and did not dwell on what-ifs. Plus, he was pleased about how the show was growing on a more positive plotline since his exit.