Melissa Gilbert Leaves Hit Show Amid Husband’s Child Sex Abuse Charges

Melissa Gilbert will not be returning to her role as Georgie McGill in the Hallmark series When Calls the Heart, she announced on Instagram.

Gilbert, 62, cited ‘budget issues’ as the reason for her departure, despite her husband Timothy Busfield facing child sex abuse charges.

Busfield, who has denied the allegations, claimed in a grand jury testimony that his career is ‘done’ due to the charges, stating that he has lost work and been digitally replaced in a movie.

He also blamed the parents of the alleged victims, claiming they were motivated by money and revenge.

Busfield, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, expressed sympathy for the children involved, calling them ‘victims’ of the situation.

Gilbert’s departure from the show comes after two seasons, during which she played a former Mountie forensic investigator.

She thanked her colleagues and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play the role, saying ‘it’s time to say farewell’ and that she is ‘looking forward to whatever comes next’.