4 Juicy Offscreen Moments From Hallmark Stars In 2026

Hallmark may have built a reputation for keeping things warm and fuzzy onscreen, but that is not always the case behind the scenes. Hallmark stars have been known to stir up more drama than the quirky and love-struck characters they play. 2026 has been no exception, bringing its fair share of offscreen drama for the channel's biggest names. They are real people with real-life struggles, whether it stems from relationship woes or high-profile legal battles. Some got happily married, while others were busy getting a divorce and enjoying new flings. 2026 also proved to be a big year for new additions to the Hallmark family as several Hallmark power couples welcomed babies around the same time. 

While some once-popular Hallmark stars completely vanished from the spotlight, others were still making headlines. From long-awaited Hallmark returns to secret weddings, here are some of the juiciest offscreen moments from Hallmark stars in 2026. 

Hallmark and "Pretty Little Liars" star Janel Parrish searched for new love in 2026. In April, she joined the celebrity couples who broke up in 2026 list after filing for divorce from her husband of seven years, Chris Long. "Thank you all for the incredibly kind and supportive messages, they've truly meant the world. After 10 beautiful years together, including 7 years of marriage, Chris and I made the difficult decision to end our marriage," Parrish shared in an Instagram Story on April 10 (via E! News). 

That same month, on April 27, "Dancing with the Stars" pro dancer Sasha Farber went Instagram official with Parrish. She raved about Farber to People shortly thereafter. "He's an amazing chef. I literally was just filming a movie every day until 7:30 p.m., and I'd walk in the house, and he would have a full spread for me. I'm just very, very lucky," she said. Despite Parrish singing Farber's praises, the new couple did not last long, breaking up just three months later in July 2026.

This was not the first time Parrish made headlines with a "Dancing with the Stars" pro dancer. In 2014, she competed on the show with dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy. The pair sparked dating rumors during Season 19 after noticeable onscreen chemistry and being spotted on public outings. They were even caught holding hands in New York City in November 2014, but the dancing duo never confirmed their relationship.

Controversial Hallmark superstar Lori Loughlin filed for divorce from her long-time husband and fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli on September 4, 2026. While the pair were married for almost three decades and share two daughters, a source claimed their relationship deteriorated after their high-profile college admission scandal. They both served jail time after pleading guilty to wire and mail fraud in May 2020. "Things have never been the same after weathering the college admission fallout and the prison sentences together," a source told People. "Lori feels betrayed. They're in very different places right now, and it's unlikely that they'll find their way back together." 

The actor spent seven years away from Hallmark following the public scandal. Now, she has finally made her long-awaited return. On June 30, 2026, the Hallmark Channel shared an Instagram reel featuring Loughlin to announce the return of the "Garage Sale Mystery" franchise in fall 2026. The movie, "Murder Takes the Stage," aired on September 19. While Loughlin's Hallmark return got mixed reviews before it even began due to the controversies surrounding the star, it looks like she has entered a new chapter in her life.

2026 was a big year for Hallmark babies. Hallmark's "When Calls the Heart" co-stars Erin Krakow and Ben Rosenbaum welcomed their first child in April 2026, just 10 months after tying the knot quietly in June 2025. "Our precious new family member entered the world in early April. Our daughter has been the greatest gift, and we are loving getting to know her better with each passing day," the actors told People. 

The arrival of their daughter was not the only addition to the Hallmark family. Their fellow "When Calls the Heart" actors Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace also welcomed their first baby in 2026. The pair first met on the hit Hallmark show when they both joined the cast during Season 6. They announced the arrival of their baby in a joint Instagram post on May 10, 2026. Hallmark actors Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNally also welcomed their second daughter in June 2026. Just like the other two Hallmark couples and new parents, they first met on a Hallmark set while filming "The Sweetest Heart" in 2017.

The three Hallmark power couples were delighted to be expecting at the same time, and they are already planning future playdates on set. "Getting to surprise each other with the pregnancy news was a peak fun life experience," Krakow and Rosenbaum shared with People. "We'll never forget their shocked faces when we shared that we were also expecting. ... The FaceTimes, photo-sharing, and check-ins are wild as we watch each other's babies develop along with our own. We can't wait for the babies to hang together on set this year!"

In March 2026, Hallmark star Hunter King surprised fans by revealing she secretly got married to Chris Copier at Medieval Times in Los Angeles, California. The couple first met on the set of the 2023 film "Give Me Your Eyes." Their secret wedding took place on Valentine Day 2026, making the special occasion all the more romantic. 

On March 6, she took to Instagram to share her personal news along with a photo of the pair dressed in medieval outfits to match the theme. "Long ago, (on Valentine's Day) we said I do in front of the realm (our families). We celebrated (at Medieval Times) well into the night (9pm). The end," she captioned the post. Her family, friends, and fans all celebrated the news together in the comment section. "Congratulations!!! So happy for you both," fellow Hallmark actor Lacey Chabert commented.