Mistletoe Murders Renewed for Season 3 After Shocking Finale

Hallmark fans, pour yourself a cup of cocoa and brace yourselves. Mistletoe Murders is officially coming back for Season 3.

If you thought that jaw-dropping Season 2 finale would be left hanging like a forgotten ornament, think again. With romance blooming, secrets unraveling, and a ghost from the past knocking on Emily Lane’s door, Fletcher’s Grove is about to get a lot more complicated.

Here’s what we know about the renewal, the cliffhanger that changed everything, and what could be next in this irresistibly cozy mystery.

The Big Renewal News: Season 3 Is Official

Just a few months after the explosive Season 2 finale aired in late November 2025, Hallmark Media made it official in February: Mistletoe Murders will return for a third season.

The show began as a streaming debut on Hallmark+ in 2024 before moving to the Hallmark Channel. This pickup? It says one thing loud and clear — viewers are hooked.

It’s become a cornerstone of Hallmark’s signature blend of romance, community, and festive intrigue. Executives have said the overwhelmingly positive audience response played a major role in bringing the series back.

Production is set to begin later this year. Fans can expect Season 3 to arrive as part of Hallmark’s beloved Countdown to Christmas programming event in 2026.

Why the Timing Makes Perfect Sense

The renewal timeline mirrors the show’s previous rhythm. Season 1 wrapped in December 2024 and wasn’t renewed until March 2025.

Season 2 finished in November 2025, with the Season 3 announcement coming in February 2026. Hallmark’s not rushing, but they’re delivering.

This series practically owns the holiday mystery lane. Dropping Season 3 during Countdown to Christmas? That’s just good sense — maximum buzz, twinkle lights, and emotional payoff.

Where Season 2 Left Off: Trouble in Fletcher’s Grove

If you’re still recovering from that finale, you’re not alone. Season 2 ended on a note that was equal parts romantic and ominous.

Just as Emily Lane and Detective Sam Wilner seemed to be inching toward emotional clarity, the past came crashing through the front door.

Tension simmered between Emily and Sam all season. Her secrets — especially those tied to her mysterious former life — created distance.

Sam struggled with the idea that the woman he cared about was still hiding critical pieces of herself, especially when his daughter was involved in Emily’s shop and daily life.

Emily’s Shocking Confession

In the finale, Emily finally revealed the truth. Her real name is Grace. She once worked in intelligence.

A mission she thought was backed by solid intel turned into a deadly trap for her team. To the world, Grace died that day. Emily Lane was born from that tragedy.

The emotional breakthrough led to a long-awaited romantic moment between Emily and Sam. He reassured her that he knew who she truly was — not just the secrets, but the heart beneath them.

For a fleeting moment, it felt like the beginning of something steady and hopeful. Then came the knock at the door.

The Cliffhanger That Changes Everything

The morning after that turning point, Emily opened her door expecting Sam. Instead, Aaron — a man from her buried past — greeted her as Grace and made it clear her former life wasn’t done with her.

This was not just a loose thread. It was a full unraveling.

Aaron’s arrival suggests whatever Emily fled years ago has found her again. In true cozy mystery fashion, danger has now settled squarely in the middle of Christmas lights and small-town charm.

Who Is Returning for Season 3?

At the center of it all, Sarah Drew returns as Emily Lane, the Christmas shop owner with a shadowed history. Peter Mooney steps back in as Detective Sam Wilner, the steady presence trying to reconcile love with lingering doubt.

Official confirmations beyond the leads are still under wraps. But it’s a safe bet Aaron Ashmore will reprise his role as Aaron, especially after that finale bombshell.

Behind the scenes, Ken Cuperus continues as executive producer and showrunner, alongside Michelle Melanson, Jocelyn Hamilton, and Sarah Drew herself. The creative continuity bodes well for a season that could dig deeper into Emily’s past.

What Makes This Cast So Compelling

The chemistry between Drew and Mooney has been the emotional anchor of the series. Their slow-burn dynamic blends Hallmark warmth with genuine suspense.

Unlike many cozy mysteries where romance feels secondary, here it’s deeply tied to the central mystery. And now that the stakes are personal, Season 3 could be the most emotionally layered installment yet.

What Season 3 Could Explore

With Emily’s true identity exposed to at least one person from her past, the narrative possibilities just got a lot bigger. Fletcher’s Grove may no longer be the safe haven she hoped for.

Here are the biggest questions Season 3 needs to answer:

• Who exactly is Aaron, and what does he want?
• Is Emily’s former intelligence work tied to new crimes in town?
• Will Sam become entangled in her past in ways he never expected?
• Can their relationship survive full transparency?

A Darker Shade of Christmas?

Don’t expect the festive magic to disappear. Hallmark’s DNA is woven into the series.

But there might be a slightly sharper edge this time. Emily isn’t just a talented amateur sleuth with good instincts. She’s a former intelligence operative whose past mistakes still echo.

That duality — holiday sweetness layered over buried trauma — is what makes Mistletoe Murders stand apart in a crowded field of seasonal programming.

Why Fans Cannot Get Enough

At its core, the series delivers three things audiences crave:

• Romance that feels earned
• Mysteries that feel personal
• A small-town setting that feels like home

The show embodies the comfort of Hallmark storytelling while adding a serialized intrigue that keeps viewers theorizing long after the credits roll. It’s not just about solving crimes. It’s about identity, redemption, and the courage to start over — even when the past refuses to stay buried.

The Countdown to 2026 Begins

Season 3 is set for a winter 2026 debut during Countdown to Christmas. The wait might drag on, but honestly, that just builds the anticipation, right?

Emily Lane—or Grace, if you catch her at the wrong moment—still has loose ends everywhere. Fletcher’s Grove is about to find out that its cozy glow hides a past that’s way more dangerous than anyone wants to admit.

One thing’s for sure: when Mistletoe Murders comes back, Christmas won’t just be merry. It’s going to get mysterious.