Emma Fielding Mystery: Courtney Thorne-Smith Joining Hallmark’s Women Of Mystery

Fans of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ Women of Mystery series will soon have a new amateur sleuth to observe in action. Courtney Thorne-Smith has signed on to play Emma Fielding. The first film, Site Unseen: An Emma Fielding Mystery, is scheduled to debut next month. The latest character is based on the six-book series by archeologist-turned-writer Dana Cameron. Like Cameron, the character of Emma Fielding is an archeologist.

The channel, which has become a leader for female-driven projects, has released a synopsis of the new movie.

“Emma has recently unearthed evidence of a possible 17th century coastal Maine settlement that predates Jamestown, one of the most significant archaeological finds in years. But the dead body she uncovers on the site pushes Emma into a different kind of exploration. Her dig site is suddenly in jeopardy of being shut down, due to the meddling of local treasure-hunters and a second suspicious murder. Emma must team with the handsome FBI Agent investigating the case to dig up dirt on the killer, before Emma and her excavation are ancient history.”

James Tupper will play the role of FBI agent Tim Conner.

Shooting a #mystery with Courtney Thorne Smith #EmmaFielding pic.twitter.com/uHT5H827BG

— James Tupper (@MrJamesTupper) April 21, 2017

Thorne-Smith and Tupper are both veterans of television. Thorne-Smith is most known for her roles on Melrose Place, Ally McBeal, and According to Jim. She had a recurring part on Two and a Half Men and recently guest-starred on Fresh Off the Boat. Tupper, who is married to Anne Heche, starred in Men In Trees, Samantha Who?, and Revenge. He recently played the ex-husband of Reese Witherspoon’s character in HBO’s critically-acclaimed Big Little Lies.

In a post on her website, Cameron shared her excitement of learning that her book had received the greenlight from Hallmark.

“This is crazy and marvelous for so many reasons,” Cameron wrote.

“Site Unseen was my first novel. When I was writing it, playing with some of my experiences in archaeology and my love of mystery, I had no idea it would be published.”

Cameron had the opportunity to visit the set. While there, she met the cast and crew. In an interview with Wicked Local Saugus, Cameron praised the work of those involved in Site Unseen: An Emma Fielding Mystery.

“I got to meet the cast. I got to meet the director. It was amazing and the crew on the set, I can’t say enough about how hard they worked to make the site look like an archeological site … They really have worked hard to capture things that are most important to me.”

The author said that she is looking forward to the movie’s premiere. She hinted that she might live tweet throughout the movie.

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, which bills itself as the No. 1 cable TV destination for suspense and mystery, has found great success in its Women of Mystery series.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Tupper shared that he had already signed on for three films in the Emma Fielding Mystery series. He also shared what he thought would be a factor in helping the film succeed.

“They want to create a kind of fun, sustained relationship. So I thought the project really hinged on me and Courtney Thorne-Smith, the fun that we could have together and what we could make of it, and she’s just amazing. It worked in a really nice way.”

If the Emma Fielding Mystery series lands a second film, Thorne-Smith would become the latest star with her own franchise. Candace Cameron-Bure (Aurora Teagarden Mystery series), Jewel (Fixer Upper Mystery series), Lori Laughlin (Garage Sale Mystery series), Kellie Martin (Hailey Dean Mystery series), and Alison Sweeney (Murder, She Baked series) currently headline Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ suspense franchises.

Should Hallmark Movies & Mysteries decided to proceed with future Emma Fielding films, they will find plenty of material. Site Unseen is the first book in the mystery series. The other books are Crave Consequences, Past Malice, A Fugitive Truth, More Bitter Than Death, and Ashes and Bones.

Site Unseen: An Emma Fielding Mystery will premiere Sunday, June 4 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

Are you planning to watch Site Unseen: An Emma Fielding Mystery? Who is your favorite amateur sleuth in the Women of Mystery Series?

[Featured Image by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries]