Mystery 101: Pilot (2019)
Class is officially in session! We’re kicking off Girls Gone Hallmark Summer School with a deep dive into Mystery 101 – the wildly beloved Hallmark mystery franchise starring Kristoffer Polaha and Jill Wagner. Whether you’re here for the mystery and red herrings or the unresolved romantic tension, we’ve got you covered. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be reviewing the entire Mystery 101 canon — from the first lecture to the final cliffhanger. Grab your iced coffee, sharpen your pencils, and prepare to fall headfirst into crime scenes, chemistry, and classroom clues. This semester? It’s all about sleuthing.
The Mailbag is open! Got thoughts on Mystery 101 – Send us an email or drop us a voicemail. We want to hear your hottest takes, wildest theories, and unresolved feelings. Email: [email protected] or call us at (949) 329-8090
Listen to Girls Gone Hallmark’s Review of Mystery 101: Pilot
About Mystery 101: Pilot (Hallmark – 2019)
- Mystery 101 premiered on January 27, 2019 on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.
- Blair Hayes directed the very first Mystery 101 movie and will return to direct the next movie in the series Mystery 101: Playing Dead. His other Hallmark projects includeThe Perfect Christmas Present from 2017.
- The series was created by Robin Bernheim and Lee Goldberg. Both are credited along with John Christian Plummer as the writers for this particular movie.
- John Christian Plummer currently has 24 writing credits including some of Hallmark’s biggest mystery franchises, like Mystery Island, Curious Caterer, and Francesca Quinn, PI. Plummer will go on to write all seven of the Mystery 101 movies.
- Kristoffer Polaha stars as Detective Travis Burke. Kris has an impressive 90 acting credits with his first dating back to the 2001 teen vampire drama Angel. Kris has gone on to star in some of Hallmark’s biggest hits, including, arguably the best Hallmark Christmas movie, A Biltmore Christmas. He’s been noticeably absent from the network this year, with his last appearance in The Christmas Quest back in November 2024.
- Jill Wagner stars as Professor Amy Winslow. Amy has 41 acting credits and is currently co-starring in the popular Paramount+ series Lioness. Jill has starred in several Hallmark favorites like Pearl in Paradise, Autumn Dreams, and A Harvest Wedding. The last Hallmark project for Jill was the final Mystery 101 movie in 2021.
- Robin Thomas plays Amy’s dad Graham Winslow. Robin has 147 acting credits dating back to 1982 for his role in the daytime soap As the World Turns. He would go on to have roles in Another World, Who’s the Boss, Party of Five, Damages, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
- Preston Vanderslice plays Bud. Preston has 53 acting credits and – according to IMDb – will appear in all of the Mystery 101 movies except the final one. He’s was last seen on Hallmark in the 2023 movie Field Day.
- Sarah Dugdale plays Claire Tate. Sarah has 33 acting credits and has most recently co-stared as Lizzie in 52 episodes of Virgin River on Netflix. Her last project for Hallmark was last year’s Hallmark+ movie Season’s Greetings from Cherry Lane. According to IMDb, it appears she’s only in four of the Mystery 101 movies.
- Andy Thompson plays Eldon. Andy has 96 acting credits including Hallmark movies like Confessions of a Christmas Letter, Christmas Class Reunion, and Welcome to Mama’s.
- Ben Sullivan plays our victim Rex Hudson. Ben has 29 acting credits including a few other projects for Hallmark like Beverly Hills Wedding and Picture Perfect Mysteries: Dead Over Diamonds.
- Other key players in this installment include Louriza Tronco as Ben’s girlfriend Lacey. She will also appear in Mystery 101: Playing Dead. Iain Belcher plays suspect Josh. This was his one and only appearance on Hallmark. And finally, Matthew Harrison plays plagiarist Professor. Matthew has been in a several Hallmark mysteries like Garage Sale Mysteries and Picture Perfect Mysteries.
Join Girls Gone Hallmark All Summer Long
Class is in session and attendance is mandatory! Join us all summer long as we review the entire Mystery 101 canon and the hit Hallmark+ series Mistletoe Murders. Sharpen your pencils, sleuths – it’s going to be a killer summer.
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