Jack Thornton, played by Daniel Lissing, was a main character on the Hallmark Channel series "When Calls the Heart" for five seasons. In the season 5 finale, Jack died in a tragic mine collapse accident while on a mission to guide a group of recruits through treacherous mountains. This was a devastating blow for Jacks new wife Elizabeth, who gave birth to their first child not long after his death. The shows creators faced a challenging task of how to gracefully write off a beloved character after Lissing decided to move on from the show. Killing off Jack was the only viable option, given the circumstances, according to showrunner Brian Bird. While some viewers speculated about Jacks potential return in various forms, the creators of When Calls the Heart have maintained that his character was truly gone, despite any elaborate theories.