Lori Loughlin's comeback continues with new TV movie

Hauppauge-raised former "Full House" star Lori Loughlin continues her return to acting with the upcoming TV movie "Fall Into Winter" on Great American Family.

The cable channel announced Thursday that Loughlin would play Keely, part owner of an upscale candy shop who is aghast when her brother sells his half of the family business to his high school best friend, Brooks, Keely's nemesis. Forced to work together, the two co-owners must find "connection and common ground," the announcement said.

"Keely has been hurt before; change is her new nemesis," the synopsis continues. "Brooks' past is a mirror of Keely's. He, too, has a fortress around his heart. Fate brings the pair together. Might it also offer new beginnings?"

No other casting or a director were announced. Writer Cara J. Russell's credits include Great American Family's "The Great Christmas Switch" (2021) and the network's upcoming "Catering Christmas," both from "Fall Into Winter" production company Hideaway Pictures.

"Lori is a genre-defining star that I have had the honor to call a close friend and collaborator for more than 15 years," Bill Abbott, president and CEO of parent company Great American Media, said in a statement. "We have a shared vision for creating meaningful and memorable movies that resonate with our passionate fans, and I look forward to welcoming her back to Great American Family to anchor our 2023 winter programming slate."

Loughlin, 58, has no social media and has not commented publicly.

The Hauppauge High School alumna, best known as Aunt Becky on "Full House" (ABC 1987-95), went on to star in ABC's "Hudson Street" with Tony Danza; The WB series "Summerland," which she co-created; and The CW's "90210"; as well as several TV movies including the "Garage Sale Mystery" films.

She played cafe owner-turned-mayor Abigail Stanton in the Hallmark Channel series "When Calls the Heart," set in a Western Canada coal-mining town circa 1910, but was let go following her arrest, along with dozens of others, in 2019's college-admissions bribery investigation. She pleaded guilty and served a 2-month sentence. In December, Loughlin returned to acting when she reprised her role as Stanton in the two-episode season 2 premiere of the spinoff series "When Hope Calls," which aired on Great American Family.