Hallmark Renews Mistletoe Murders for Season 3 Premiere

Hallmark fans, it looks like your holiday season just got a little longer. Mistletoe Murders, the cozy mystery series starring Grey’s Anatomy’s Sarah Drew, is officially coming back for a third season—and honestly, people are already buzzing.

Season two ended with a cliffhanger that left viewers on edge. Now, Hallmark has confirmed Emily Lane’s story isn’t done yet, with production starting later this year and a premiere planned for the network’s beloved Countdown to Christmas lineup.

A Christmas Cozy Mystery That Struck Gold

When Mistletoe Murders first hit screens, it mixed three things Hallmark fans can’t get enough of: romance, community, and Christmas. Then it threw in a twist—murder.

Turns out, that combo was a winner. Set in the scenic tourist town of Fletcher’s Grove, the show follows Emily Lane, who owns a year-round Christmas shop. She’s all warmth and optimism on the outside.

But there’s more to her—she’s hiding a complicated past and has a knack for solving deadly mysteries.

Why Viewers Fell in Love with Emily Lane

Emily isn’t your standard amateur detective. She’s a bit of an enigma—layered, quietly intense, and at times, hard to pin down. Over two seasons, fans have watched her tackle local murders while keeping her own secrets close.

Her partnership with Detective Sam Wilner starts off professional but quickly gets more personal—and, well, complicated.

• A charming holiday setting that feels like a snow globe come to life
• A slow-burn romance between Emily and Sam
• Twisty mysteries that balance comfort with genuine suspense
• A heroine with secrets that are just as compelling as the crimes she solves

Season Three Is Official—And the Stakes Are Higher Than Ever

The renewal comes after season two’s dramatic cliffhanger. Fans are still talking about it.

No spoilers here, but Emily’s personal life and her hidden past are about to collide in ways nobody’s ready for. Hallmark’s Head of Programming says the show nails what viewers want: romance, community, Christmas, and a cozy mystery all rolled together.

The Cliffhanger That Changed Everything

Season two didn’t just leave questions—it blew things wide open. Emily and Sam’s relationship hit new emotional highs while Emily’s secret past crept closer to the surface.

The tension between who Emily is and who she pretends to be? That’s become the show’s real draw.

• Emily’s mysterious history and how it connects to the present
• Her evolving relationship with Sam
• The growing danger surrounding Fletcher’s Grove
• The emotional cost of keeping secrets

Let’s be honest, if the writers keep this up, we’re in for more heartwarming moments mixed with some real jaw-droppers.

Sarah Drew Shines as Executive Producer and Star

It’s hard to talk about Mistletoe Murders without bringing up Sarah Drew. Most know her from Grey’s Anatomy, but here, she’s all-in as Emily Lane.

She’s not just the lead—she’s also an executive producer, so she really shapes Emily’s story. Drew makes Emily believable as the friendly shopkeeper, but she’s also got that steeliness you’d expect from someone with a shadowy past.

That mix is what gives the show an edge over typical cozy mysteries.

A Cast That Complements the Mystery

Peter Mooney plays Detective Sam Wilner, the sharp local cop who slowly realizes the biggest mystery might actually be Emily herself.

Their chemistry is the backbone of the show. Sam’s logical, steady approach is a great foil to Emily’s gut-driven instincts.

As Sam gets closer to the truth about Emily, their personal stakes get tangled up with the cases they’re solving. Showrunner Ken Cuperus has said he loves blending Christmas with murder mysteries, and honestly, you can tell.

From Audible Hit to Hallmark Favorite

Funny enough, Mistletoe Murders actually started as an Audible Original. The audio drama starred Cobie Smulders, Raymond Ablack, Anna Cathcart, and a whole cast, and ran for four seasons.

The TV version kept the spirit of the original but expanded the world visually and emotionally. Fletcher’s Grove—with its snowy streets and twinkling lights—almost feels like another character.

The Countdown to Christmas Advantage

Hallmark’s planning to debut season three during its big Countdown to Christmas event. That’s a smart move—it’s basically guaranteed to get the show in front of holiday TV fans.

The holiday backdrop isn’t just pretty. It underscores the show’s main idea: even in the coziest season, darkness can sneak in.

Why This Renewal Matters for Hallmark

Hallmark’s been moving beyond just romance movies, leaning into more serialized shows. Mistletoe Murders proves audiences want stories that mix comfort with a little more depth.

This renewal isn’t just a win for the series—it’s a sign that cozy mysteries, especially those with complex, flawed heroines, have found a real home on the network.

The Future of Fletcher’s Grove

Production is set to begin later this year. That means more casting news, teaser photos, and probably a few sly hints about what’s next.

As the series moves into its third chapter, the creative team can really dig into Emily’s backstory. There’s also plenty of room to explore her current relationships—maybe more than ever.

Questions still hanging in the snowy air include:

• Will Sam finally uncover the full truth about Emily?
• Can their romance survive the revelations?
• Is Fletcher’s Grove truly as quaint as it seems?
• And how many more secrets are waiting to surface?

Hallmark viewers have clearly embraced this odd little mix of holiday sparkle and homicide suspense. The network heard the buzz, so Emily Lane is back to deck the halls—and, well, maybe solve another murder or two.

If you love a little danger with your tinsel, season three of Mistletoe Murders can’t come soon enough. The countdown’s on.