The wait is officially over for fans of Fletcher’s Grove. Hallmark Media has confirmed that the cozy mystery series Mistletoe Murders will return for a third season. The announcement arrived on February 20, 2026, putting an end to months of speculation and hopeful waiting from viewers who fell in love with the show’s unique mix of small-town charm, holiday spirit, and real detective work.
The series, which stars Sarah Drew as the secretive Christmas shop owner Emily Lane and Peter Mooney as the local detective Sam Wilner, has become a standout hit for the network. The third season is already scheduled to begin production later this year. It will premiere as part of Hallmark’s famous Countdown to Christmas programming event in late 2026 .
The Cast and Creatives Are All Coming Back
Fans were worried about whether the team behind the show would stay intact, but the news is all positive. Sarah Drew is not only returning as the lead character Emily Lane but will also continue her role as an executive producer. Peter Mooney is confirmed to be back as Detective Sam Wilner, the smart local cop who slowly realizes that the woman he is working with has a much bigger story than she lets on .
The creative team behind the scenes is also returning. Ken Cuperus, known for his work on Hudson & Rex, is back as the showrunner and executive producer. Michelle Melanson from Headspinner Productions and Jocelyn Hamilton from Lionsgate Canada are also returning as executive producers alongside Drew. The series comes from Lionsgate Canada and Headspinner Productions .
Sarah Drew and Peter Mooney Celebrate the Renewal News
The announcement was made in a way that perfectly fits the show’s vibe. Sarah Drew and Peter Mooney shared the news themselves through a fun and playful video on social media. In the clip, they run into each other, act surprised, and discover a wrapped Christmas gift that contains the official renewal card .
Sarah Drew did not hide her excitement about coming back to the role she loves. In an exclusive statement to People magazine, she shared her genuine happiness.
“I could not be more thrilled to be returning to Fletcher’s Grove for season 3 of Mistletoe Murders. As I’ve said in numerous interviews, this is my favorite job I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to tell more stories about Emily and Sam. I can’t wait to resolve that giant cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to be back on set with my beloved community in Toronto.”
She also added a fun warning for viewers, saying, “Buckle up! It’s going to be a fun ride” .
Peter Mooney shared the same level of excitement about the show continuing.
“So excited about our season 3 renewal! This is one of those rare shows for us all. The cast is incredible, the crew is incredible. We have so much fun making it.”
On her Instagram, Drew celebrated with a caption that read, “Merry merry MISTLETOE MURDERS SEASON 3 babyyyyyy!! CANNOT WAIT!!!” She also responded to fans who were eager for the news, telling them, “You asked for it, you get it” .
Breaking Down That Huge Season 2 Cliffhanger
The reason fans are so desperate for the new season comes down to how Season 2 ended. The finale dropped a massive bombshell that completely changed the game for Emily Lane.
Throughout the second season, Emily and Sam grew closer. In the finale, they finally shared a romantic moment. Emily decided to be honest with him about her past. She revealed that her real name is Grace, and she used to work in intelligence. She explained that she had been hunting a traitor—someone who betrayed her team and got people killed. After that incident, “Grace” was presumed dead, and she started a new life as Emily Lane in Fletcher’s Grove .
Sam took the news well. He kissed her and told her he knew who she really was. Everything seemed perfect until the next morning. Emily was waiting for Sam to come over with coffee and pastries. But when the knock came at the door, it was not Sam. It was Aaron Ashmore playing her ex, Aaron—the very person she had been hunting. He looked at her and said, “Merry Christmas, Grace. You look pretty good for a dead woman” .
Sarah Drew acknowledged how big that moment is for the story going forward. She told People that she “can’t wait to resolve that giant cliffhanger” in the upcoming episodes . The return of Aaron throws Emily’s new life into serious danger and puts her relationship with Sam to the ultimate test.
Hallmark and Lionsgate Express Confidence in the Series
The executives behind the show are just as confident about its future. Michelle Vicary, the Head of Programming at Hallmark Media, explained why the show connects so well with viewers.
“Mistletoe Murders embodies so many of the elements viewers turn to Hallmark for: romance, community and Christmas wrapped within a cozy mystery. Over two seasons, viewer response to this series has been overwhelmingly positive and we cannot wait to bring them back to Fletcher’s Grove and to continue to reveal the backstory that has made Emily Lane one of the most enigmatic characters on television.”
Jocelyn Hamilton, President of Television at Lionsgate Canada, also shared her excitement about the partnership.
“Season three of Mistletoe Murders represents everything we love about working with Hallmark: a shared commitment to entertaining storytelling, beloved characters, and holiday magic that resonates with audiences year after year. We’re thrilled to continue our partnership and to keep expanding this world, delivering more of the mystery, heart, and festive charm that fans have come to expect from the franchise.”
Showrunner Ken Cuperus echoed the excitement, noting how much he enjoys blending Christmas cheer with murder mysteries. He stated, “Two things I can’t seem to get enough of are Christmas and murder mysteries… so having the opportunity to continue to tell the story of Emily Lane, is one of the great joys of my life. Hallmark fans have really come through for us in a big way, and I’m so excited to deliver more of what they love in season three” .
Everything We Know About Season 3 So Far
While a specific premiere date has not been set, Hallmark has confirmed that Mistletoe Murders Season 3 will arrive during the network’s Countdown to Christmas event in late 2026. Based on the schedule of previous years, this likely means a debut sometime in November or December 2026 .
Filming for the new season is scheduled to begin later in 2026. The production will take place in Toronto, Canada, where the series has been filmed before .
The series is adapted from the popular Audible Original podcast of the same name, which is voiced by Cobie Smulders. The podcast has run for multiple seasons, giving the TV series plenty of source material to draw from .
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Where to Watch Seasons 1 and 2 Right Now
If you need to catch up before the new season arrives, both Season 1 and Season 2 of Mistletoe Murders are currently available for streaming. You can watch them on Hallmark+, the network’s subscription streaming service. The series has also aired on the Hallmark Channel and in Canada on the W Network .
For viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India, accessing Hallmark+ is the best way to binge the entire series so far. International audiences should check local listings for the Hallmark Channel or streaming availability, as the series gains global popularity.
Stay connected with VvipTimes for the latest updates on Mistletoe Murders and all your favorite holiday mysteries as more details emerge from Fletcher’s Grove.
