Lori Loughlin is thrilled to have her TV career firmly back on track after putting her jail ordeal behind her, as friends reveal how she’s a totally different person these days who’s transformed her life from top to bottom.

“Lori did a lot of soul searching after the whole college admissions scandal,” a source exclusively tells In Touch. “It was a hellish time but being out the other side of it she’s now able to see that it was a learning experience more than anything.”

Lori, 60, and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, made headlines in 2019 when they were accused of paying $500,000 in bribes to secure spots for their daughters, Bella and Olivia Jade Giannulli, at the University of Southern California. The couple were indicted in March 2019, and they pleaded guilty to fraud charges two months later.

The mother of two was sentenced to serve two months in prison and was released in December 2020. Meanwhile, Mossimo, 60, served five months and was released in April 2021.

The insider says the Full House alum “regrets” the scandal, adding that the actress “would take it all back if she could.”

“But she can’t do that so she’s done her best to find the lesson in it and truth be told it put a lot of things in life in perspective for her,” the insider explains. “She’s so grateful for all the opportunities she’s getting, there was a time when it seemed like she was in danger of being canceled so she’s not taking this second chance for granted.”

Lori made her return to the screen in her first leading role since serving her prison sentence, starring in the new police drama On Call.

On Call follows a rookie and veteran cop duo as they go on patrol together in Long Beach, California, per the official synopsis. She plays Lieutenant Bishop, alongside Pretty Little Liars‘ Troian Bellisario and 13 Reasons Why’s Brandon Larracuente. The Amazon Prime series premiered on January 9.

“This new show is a huge departure from what she’s used to, playing a cop isn’t something that’s really in her wheelhouse so it’s been a fun new challenge,” the insider says of the new project. “And she feels as though she’s growing as an actor, in a lot of ways it feels like a totally new chapter, she’s thrilled.”

The Garage Sale Mystery star admitted she was “apprehensive” about accepting the cop role as it was different than any other project, she had taken the past and admitted it was out of her comfort zone.

“It is such a different role for me,” she told TV Line on January 11. “I will say, initially, I was very flattered to get the offer [but I] was a little apprehensive because I didn’t know if I could do it — if I could find that strength and that badass quality. Obviously, it’s a great script, it’s a great role, a wonderful opportunity… so I jumped at the chance to play the part.”