Fans of cozy mysteries have been imploring Great American Family to create an original mystery series or revive an old one, like Aurora Teagarden. The network just announced its plans for a brand-new franchise, Great American Mysteries, and the first movie planned is The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker.
Candace Cameron Bure and Aaron Ashmore Headline The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker--a New Mystery Series from Great American Family
Candace Cameron Bure will return to sleuthing in this new mystery series, which is a Syrup Studios Production in association with Candy Rock Entertainment. Candy Rock Entertainment is a joint venture between Candace Cameron Bure and Redrock Entertainment--a full-service development and execution team. Candy Rock's division develops, produces, and distributes television projects, lifestyle programming, and films with an emphasis on family-friendly content, which aligns perfectly with the Great American Family brand.
To date, Candace Cameron Bure has starred in two Great American Family Movies: A Christmas...Present and My Christmas Hero. In addition to acting, Bure also serves as a producer and chief creative officer for Great American Family. Bure is one of the executive producers of The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker.
Here's what Bure has to say about her new venture as Ainsley McGregor: There's nothing more exciting for me than being back in the cozy mystery genre. Mysteries are so fun to watch and to try to solve. I hope our faithful fans and audiences fall in love with the townspeople of Sweet River, Texas and Ainsley McGregor's keen eye for solving mysteries. In this next-level mystery series, the family dynamics and developing relationships alone should keep you coming back for more!
Aaron Ashmore is best known for his role in the Netflix comedy-drama series, Ginny & Georgia, but you may also recognize him from playing Jimmy Olsen on Smallville.
What Is The Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker About?
Ainsley McGregor (Bure) a former Chicago criminologist who returns to her hometown of Sweet River, Texas. She has chosen to trade full-time crime work to open Bless Your Arts, a market for artisans to sell crafts and wares, but Ainsley cannot deny her first love is crime solving and accepts a position teaching a criminology class at the local community college. Her skills quickly become a major asset to the quaint town, when a murder occurs at a winery owned by her friend, who now stands accused of the crime. The Sweet River Sheriff, who just happens to be Ainsley’s brother, Ryan, wants her to stay out of the investigation. But Ainsley knows the pieces of this puzzle do not fit. To help her friend and with the unexpected assistance from some goodhearted local busybodies – Ainsley McGregor is back on the case.
The Ainsley McGregor Story, A Case for the Winemaker, Is Based on the Novel by Candace Havens
The Ainsley McGregor mysteries, written by Candace Havens, is currently a five-book series. It will be interesting to see if Great American Mysteries will adapt each novel into a movie installment.
If you'd like to get a jump on the new Great American Mysteries venture by reading the books in advance, see below for information on ordering them through Amazon.
Great American Family CEO, Bill Abbott, Has This to Say About Cozy Mysteries in New Franchise
What exactly are cozy mysteries?
Cozy mysteries involve an amateur sleuth, an unsuspecting victim, a quirky supporting cast, and a trail of clues and red herrings in the setting of a small community. They aren't violent or grisly and usually end happily.
Great American Media CEO, Bill Abbott, shares, We are thrilled to be in the business of telling fun, light-hearted stories featuring great characters, strong stories and a fun side of the mystery genre that fits perfectly with our licensed series strategy. Our cozy mysteries are crafted in the heritage of the classic storytelling that has evolved since Agatha Christie coined the term in the 1930s and set the stage for one of the most popular genres of entertainment.
Great American Family Giving Hallmark Serious Competition
Hallmark recently announced its plans to rebrand two of its channels. On February 28, 2024, Hallmark Drama will be renamed "Hallmark Family," claiming the station will center on faith, love, and community. Hmm...sounds like Hallmark is a little more worried about the viewership they have lost to Great American Family than they care to admit. With a slate of movies fixated on the politics of diversity, equity, and inclusion rather than good storytelling, many Hallmark fans have jumped ship and headed to more family-friendly waters at Great American Family.
On March 6, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will become "Hallmark Mystery" to focus the channel on "fun and engaging mysteries," per Lisa Hamilton Daly, Hallmark programming EVP. The timing is suspect. It's interesting that Hallmark is making drastic changes just as Great American Family is introducing a new mystery franchise while rapidly growing its viewer base.
Either way, competition is a good thing because it means more choices for viewers!
 More Great American Mysteries to Come from Great American Family!
Great American Family recently debuted a new original series, County Rescue, that showcases the work of EMTs and first responders while they juggle love, life, and faith.
Now, in addition to the Ainsley McGregor Mysteries, Great American Family promises to be the "new home for a variety of thrilling whodunnits featuring beloved Great American Family stars" and the network plans to announce more new original mystery movie series in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!