HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES ANNOUNCES SLATE OF FIVE NEW ORIGINAL WORLD PREMIERE MOVIES FOR FALL 2016

New Movies for Returning Popular Mystery Franchises "Gourmet Detective" and "Aurora Teagarden;" Also, Debuts of Dramas "J.L. Family Ranch," "The Irresistible Blueberry Farm," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," and "Hailey Dean Mystery: Murder, with Love" (wt) From Executive Producer Nancy Grace

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, July 27 - Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, the premiere television destination for thrilling mysteries and poignant dramas, will present a slate of five new, original world premiere movies on its Fall 2016 program schedule. Cable television's fastest-growing network unveiled plans for new movie installments of its returning popular mystery franchises as well as new, original dramatic movies. The announcement was made today to a semi-annual gathering of the Television Critics Association in Beverly Hills.

The new franchise movies are "Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Lost Without You," starring Eric Mabius, Kristin Booth, Crystal Lowe and Geoff Gustafson; "Gourmet Detective: Death Al Dente" starring Dylan Neal and Brooke Burns; and "The Julius House: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery" starring Candace Cameron Bure.

In addition, the network will premiere the new original movies "The Irresistible Blueberry Farm" starring Alison Sweeney, Marc Blucas and Shirley Jones; "Hailey Dean Mystery: Murder, with Love" (wt) from executive producer Nancy Grace based on characters from her upcoming novel and starring Kellie Martin; and the previously announced "J.L. Family Ranch" starring Jon Voight, James Caan, Melanie Griffith and Teri Polo.

"The ratings success of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' original content has driven the tremendous growth of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and continues to demonstrate that there is a strong appetite for compelling mysteries and intelligent dramas with poignantly woven storylines," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Publicity.

Following are descriptions of the new original movies announced today:

"J.L. Family Ranch" - Sunday, August 21 (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: Jon Voight ("Ray Donovan"), Teri Polo ("Meet the Parents"), James Caan ("The Godfather"), with a special guest appearance by Melanie Griffith ("Working Girl"), Steven Bauer ("Ray Donovan"), Grant Bowler ("Defiance"), Abby Brammell ("The Unit"), Trevor Donovan ("90210")

"J.L. Family Ranch" follows veteran rancher and former sheriff John Landsburg (Voight), who is forced to face the federal bureaucracy when an old enemy, Tap Peterson (Caan) seeking revenge over a decades-old grudge falsifies documents and alleges Landsburg doesn't actually own his beloved family ranch. John however isn't the type to go down without a fight.

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Lost Without You" - Sunday, September 25 (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: Eric Mabius ("Ugly Betty"), Kristin Booth ("Orphan Black"), Crystal Lowe ("Smallville"), Geoff Gustafson ("Primeval: New World")

A battered package turns up in a prop mailbox on the set of a Denver-based commercial, prompting Oliver O' Toole (Mabius), strait-laced leader of a team of postal detectives, to open an investigation to track down its intended recipient. Working closely with technophile Shane McInerney (Booth), free-spirited "girl next door" Rita Haywith (Lowe) and research expert Norman Dorman (Gustafson), Oliver learns that the package contains a bucket list, apparently meant to reach someone nearing life's end. But before Oliver can immerse himself in the investigation, Shane - who shares a blossoming romance with Oliver - convinces him to take an uncharacteristic break from his work and join his father, Joe, on a rustic camping excursion. Meanwhile, Norman and Rita embark on an out-of-state road trip, attempting to deliver the lost package to its rightful destination.

"The Irresistible Blueberry Farm" - Sunday, October 2 (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: Alison Sweeney ("Days of Our Lives"), Marc Blucas ("Underground"), Shirley Jones ("The Partridge Family")

Before Ellen's grandmother and long-time confidant Ruth (Jones) passed away, she asked Ellen (Sweeney) to deliver a mysterious letter to a man owning a blueberry farm. After the funeral, Ellen walks along an old dock contemplating her grandmother's request when the dock breaks under her feet. After plunging into the water, she quickly gets caught in a strong current and is swept to sea - only to be rescued by a handsome stranger (Blucas). After Ellen recovers, she sets out on her grandmother's mission and unravels the mysterious love story her grandmother left behind.

"Gourmet Detective: Death Al Dente" - Sunday, October 9 (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: Dylan Neal ("Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove"), Brooke Burns ("The Chase")

San Francisco homicide detective Maggie Price (Burns) and former, world-class chef Henry Ross (Neal) are on the case once again. The crime-solving odd couple investigates the murder of Henry's friend, a well-known local chef found dead in his kitchen. As they begin to unravel an old family secret, Maggie has to stay one step ahead of a mysterious man in the shadows who appears to be stalking her, while her blossoming relationship with Henry is threatened by the arrival of an ex-love from Maggie's past.

"The Julius House: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery" - Sunday, October 16 (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: Candace Cameron Bure ("Christmas Under Wraps," "Fuller House")

Aurora Teagarden (Bure) is a beautiful young librarian with a passion for solving murders. After an exhaustive search for the perfect home, Aurora finally purchases her dream house, unaware of its murky history. As she prepares to move in, Aurora discovers that the family who once lived there mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

"Hailey Dean Mystery: Murder, with Love" (wt) - Sunday, October 23 (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: Kellie Martin ("Mystery Woman," "Hello It's Me")

Portrayed by Martin, Hailey Dean (Martin) is a bright, disciplined and acutely observant former prosecutor who has found a new way to help others when she becomes a therapist. Always motivated to get to the heart of the truth, Hailey suspects foul play when one of her patients' parents tragically dies. Hailey finds herself invested in uncovering the truth and is aided by her two secret weapons: telegenic good looks and a generous supply of charm.

ABOUT HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES

Along with sister network Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is the second 24-hour linear channel under the Crown Media Family Networks umbrella. Distributed in both (HD) and standard definition (SD) in 66 million homes across the United States and one of the fastest growing networks in cable, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is a leading destination for quality family friendly entertainment. Launched in 2008 as Hallmark Movie Channel, the network underwent a brand evolution in fall of 2014 when it transitioned to become Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. True to its name, the channel brings the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres into focus with rich, dramatic, and thought-provoking storytelling. The network's programming lineup features a unique mix of original movies, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, and such time-honored acquired series as "Murder, She Wrote," "Matlock," "Hart to Hart" and "Diagnosis Murder." The channel is also home to annual eight-week holiday programming event, "The Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas," which helps viewers celebrate the season with new original movies and all-time classics like A Christmas Carol, Holiday Affair, Babes in Toyland and Christmas in Connecticut. Hallmark Cards, Inc. owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks. HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES @HALLMARKMOVIE