Directed by Kevin Leslie, Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery carries on the cherished cozy crime-solving exploits of Eden Lake, Minnesota baker-turned-sleuth Hannah Swensen. Inspired from Joanna Fluke’s book Blueberry Muffin Murder, the film combines mystery with small-town appeal as Hannah’s bakery, The Cookie Jar, serves as the background for a reality TV show—and unanticipated murder. The filming sites of the film play a major part in creating its enigmatic appeal given homy landscapes and a strong sense of community.
Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery Filming Locations
Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery was primarily filmed in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, much like past Hannah Swensen Mysteries episodes. Tucked between the Fraser River and the Golden Ears mountain range, this little city provided the perfect mix of quaint stores and natural beauty to bring Eden Lake to life.
November 2024’s principal photography was conducted with crucial scenes taken at the Gratia Bakery & Café on 22225 Dewdney Trunk Road—a regular stand-in for Hannah’s beloved Cookie Jar.
Investigating Maple Ridge: a Hallmark Love
Thanks to its lovely communities and picturesque scenery, Maple Ridge has grown to be a preferred location for Hallmark productions. Its combination of urban ease and rural peace makes it a flexible filming site ideal for capturing the ideal small-town environments Hallmark aficioners love.
Maple Ridge presents many attractions for visitors. Nature enthusiasts could visit Alouette Lake, a tranquil location for kayaking and hiking, or Maple Ridge Park, a vast green area including walking paths and picnic areas.
Another must-see with amazing mountain vistas and outdoor pursuits is Golden Ears Provincial Park. Memorial Peace Park Spirit Square, tucked away in the middle of the city, offers a tranquil haven with its verdant grounds and water features.
Beyond Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, the city has provided the setting for additional Hallmark favorites including Love Under the Lemon Tree, A Christmas to Remember, Love in the Limelight, and Christmas in Evergreen.
Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery Cast
Alison Sweeney as Hannah Swensen
Leading Alison Sweeney as the sharp-witted Hannah Swensen, the movie brings together fan favorites. Along with Hallmark classic Sweeney, Victor Webster plays attractive investigator Chad Norton and Barbara Niven, Hannah’s encouraging mother Delores.
Daytime Emmy nominee recognized for Days of Our Lives and Hallmark’s The Wedding Veil Alison Sweeney deftly combines Hannah’s detective edge with small-town friendliness. She also writes and executive produces the movie off-screen, further strengthening her bond to the character she has been playing for more than ten years.
Victor Webster as Chad Norton
Webster gives Detective Chad Norton, a position he developed since joining the franchise in One Bad Apple, his trademark appeal. Though he may be familiar to fans from Charmed or Continuum, his relationship with Sweeney has confirmed him as a Hallmark favorite.
Delores Swensen, played by Barbara Niven, is Hannah’s sharp mother. Her experienced acting gives the Swensen family dynamic warmth and humor from movies like Chesapeake Shores and Cedar Cove.
Gabriel Hogan plays devoted buddy Norman Rhodes, Tess Atkins is Hannah’s sister Michelle, and Daylin Willis is tech-savvy Lonny Murphy rounding out the ensemble.
About Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery
Hannah is happy when a reality TV crew visits The Cookie Jar; until the terrible death of a producer throws her life backwards. Hannah delves into the research while the town recovers, finding secrets that blur the borders between reality TV and actual risk. She races to identify the perpetrator before another life is lost, her talent for baking muffins and criminal solving.
Showcasing Alison Sweeney’s commitment to the franchise, the movie displays her growing position as both star and executive producer. Using the Gratia Bakery’s familiar arrangement to support the continuity of the plot, director Kevin Leslie leaned into Maple Ridge’s pleasing aesthetics. The crew turned sets with autumnal décor, capturing Eden Lake’s distinctive small-town appeal even with British Columbia’s colder November temperature.
Where to stream Reality Bites: a Hannah Swensen Mystery?
Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery premieres on the Hallmark Mystery Channel on 06 Feb 2025 at 8/7c inside the United States. The film also airs on the same channel under the following dates:
- Feb 09 at 6/5c
- Feb 14 at 8/7c
- Feb 22 at 6/5c
- March 2 at 8/7c
- March 13 at 4/3c
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