Hallmark Channel is making an unusual move. They’ve decided to change their Signed, Sealed, Delivered series from a regular weekly series to a series of two-hour movies on sister channel Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
The first new movie — Signed, Sealed, Delivered For Christmas — will air on November 23rd. Three more films are expected for 2015.
Here are the details:
CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS ANNOUNCES ‘SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED’ FROM MARTHA WILLIAMSON, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF ‘TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL,’ MOVES TO HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES WITH NEW EXTENDED FORMAT
Franchise to Include Multiple 2-Hour Original Movies; First Film, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered For Christmas,” Premieres November 23
Crown Media Family Networks announced today that Hallmark Channel original weekly scripted series, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” executive produced and written by Martha Williamson (Executive Producer of “Touched by an Angel”), will move to sister network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries as a movie franchise consisting of a series of two-hour original films. Debuting on November 23 at 9pm ET/PT, 8C, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered For Christmas” will be the first movie in the franchise, with three more slated for 2015.
“We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Martha Williamson and to bring her brand of rich and poignant stories to viewers on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries,” said Michelle Vicary, executive vice president, programming and network publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. “At their core, the narratives on ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ revolve around mystery and suspense, with compelling characters and dramatic storylines that will be enhanced by an extended format.”
“When Bill Abbott and Michelle Vicary asked if I can evolve the ‘Signed Sealed Delivered’ franchise into a series of movies, I was honored to continue the Hallmark tradition of quality family movies,” said series Creator and Executive Producer Martha Williamson. “At the heart of ‘Signed Sealed Delivered’ is Oliver, a modern day gentleman with old world values played brilliantly by Eric Mabius,” she added. “He and his wonderful team of postal detectives will continue to surprise us and sometimes make us laugh as they work to solve mysteries behind letters, even mysteries of life.”
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will introduce viewers to the “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” franchise by airing a marathon of the series on Saturday, October 11 from 11am – 11pm ET/PT, 10C.
Returning as the “POstables,” Oliver O’Toole (Eric Mabius, “Ugly Betty”), Shane McInerney (Kristin Booth, “Orphan Black”), Rita Haywith (Crystal Lowe, “Smallville”) and Norman Dorman (Geoff Gustafson “Primeval: New World”) will take millions of viewers on new adventures as they uncover the mysteries of lost missives and return them to their intended recipients, profoundly changing lives in the process.
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” is a comedic drama that follows the lives of a group of postal workers who transform themselves into an untraditional team of detectives to track down intended recipients of undeliverable mail. Their missions take them out of the office into an unpredictable world where redirected letters and packages can save lives, solve crimes, reunite old loves and change futures by arriving late but somehow on time.
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” is a Muse Entertainment production in association with MoonWater Productions. Executive Producers are Martha Williamson (“Touched by an Angel”), Joel S. Rice (“Cyberbully”) and Michael Prupas (“The Kennedys”). Harvey Kahn (“The Haunting Hour”) is the producer.
ABOUT HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES
Recently rebranded from Hallmark Movie Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is a 24-hour digital cable network featuring a unique mix of content, including all new original movies that are dramatic, cinematic and thought-provoking; new original mystery movies that focus on the lighter side of the suspense genre, as well as classic acquired series such as Murder She Wrote, Matlock, and Perry Mason. The network is also home to annual holiday programming franchise, the Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas, as well as presentations from the award-winning Hallmark Hall of Fame library. One of television’s leading destinations for compelling family-friendly entertainment, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries can be seen in 55 million homes in SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition) and remains one of the fastest-growing networks in cable. Along with sister network, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is the second linear channel from Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
ABOUT MUSE ENTERTAINMENT
Muse Entertainment is a leading film and television production company and international distributor known for its well-crafted and high-quality productions. Since its founding in 1998, Muse Entertainment has won over 100 awards and garnered over 300 international award nominations. Muse Entertainment is currently shooting the 6-hour event series “Tut” in Morocco and the second season of the sci-fi series “Helix” in Montreal. Most recently the company produced four seasons of the supernatural dramatic series “Being Human”, the first season of the dramedy series “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” two seasons of the wartime dramatic series “Bomb Girls” and several TV movies for Disney and Hallmark channels. Muse’s 8-hr. historical drama “The Kennedys,” sold to networks around the world by Muse Distribution International, earned 10 Emmy Award nominations, winning four, as well as the DGA award for best director. Its 8-hour event series” Pillars of the Earth” also won an Emmy and many other awards. Muse’s other award-winning programs are “Cyberbully,” “Durham County” (Seasons I, II, III), “Ben Hur,” “The Last Templar,” “Impact,” “Human Trafficking,” “Answered by Fire,” “This is Wonderland” and “Tales from the Neverending Story.” Muse Entertainment maintains production and development operations in Montreal, Los Angeles, Toronto and Vancouver. For more information, please visit www.muse.ca
ABOUT MARTHA WILLIAMSON
Martha Williamson made television history when her CBS series “Touched By An Angel” set a new standard for an inspirational family drama when it grew to a weekly audience of 25 million viewers during its initial nine year run. As Executive Producer of the ground-breaking series, she was the visionary who guided the series into previously uncharted territory with her unique brand of storytelling that produced more than strong ratings; it changed lives. She went on to seal her place in history when she became the first woman to solely executive produce two one-hours simultaneously with “Promised Land,” which aired for three years on CBS. She began her career in comedy with the producing teams for Carol Burnett and Joan Rivers and went on to write and produce situation comedies such as “The Facts of Life,” “Family Man” and “Jack’s Place” for all the networks before making the transition to one-hour drama. Her work has been inducted into the Television and Radio Hall of Fame and honored with numerous awards, including the Edward R. Murray Responsibility in Television Award, the Templeton Prize Epiphany Award and nine Emmy(R) nominations.
What do you think? Is this a good move? Would you prefer that it continue as a weekly series or are you okay with a series of movies instead?
Are you serious this has been cancelled? I have been bragging that Hallmark was a channel I could let my grandchildren watch because of Signed Sealed and delivered, When Calls the Heart and other shows. Just when you think there are CLEAN, wholesome shows that ” Teach God” but don’t preach. You cancel them???? Really?? Please bring it back!
I loved this show! Please bring it back as a series!!!
My husband and I looked forward each Sunday to watching the series! PLEASE Bring it back weekly! I don’t like the idea of movies nearly as much!!
For me, this past year and a half has been such a difficult time in my life. My little grandson died a horrible death and after that, the Hallmark channel became an escape for me during this awful time in my life. This series, along with When Calls the Heart, became my lifeline and I truly hate to see it not given a real chance to survive. It’s one of the best to have come along on television in years. We need more of these that showcase morality, loyalty, caring, and really friendship. And a focus on faith.
Sincerely,
Debbie
Debbie,
So sorry for your loss. In response to your ending comment, what do you think would happen if the nightly news (which we don’t watch) had all nice stories and the networks aired programs like the ones that Hallmark show? Maybe all the crap in the world would come to a halt or at least slow down immensely.
Kevin H. Cushman
Hey Kevin,
I certainly wish the news stations would put more of an emphasis on healthier topics. We don’t watch the news much here, either. I am very happy that we do have a good alternative to all the negatives in this world.
also, I don’t get Hallmark Movies and Mystery channel… 🙁
I’d call your provider and ask them to carry it.
please, please, PLEASE bring the Signed, Sealed, Delivered back as a TV series..it made me smile and served as a reminder that there is still good shows out there. I LOVE this show and miss it terribly!
I really enjoy the weekly series. I can enjoy this show with my family and would love more like it! Really like the characters and will look forward to the movies.
It was a wonderful series, we need more tv like this one. I’m very disappointed that it’s not returning, but looking forward to the movies. I hope Hallmark changes it’s mind and brings it back as a series.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the series and were hoping that it would continue.The show was quite unlike most everything else on tv. It was able to be good natured and even sentimental without being overdone.
I’m so disappointed that the series has been turned into movies! Just like everyone has said we loved the weekly episodes! Please, Please, Please bring it back as a series not just movies.
Very disappointed. I looked forward to this show each week. It was so nice to have such a sweet show on TV and to just have something good to watch with the family. I have no idea why Hallmark would do this.
My father and mother introduced me to this show and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. We need more like it! I would much more like to see the series stay. This show is great encouragement and I love the Bible teaching and scripture references used. I had went to search on web to see if there would be a season 2 and had said a prayer that this show would continue because people need hope and this show delivers that. I hope they change their mind and go back to a series. I will be telling others about show for… Read more »
My husband and I love this series…. we are soooo sad (mad) to see it go. And we will not be able to see the movies on the movie channel, as we only have the Hallmark Channel; NOT the Hallmark Movie Channel. I am really bummed by the news about this show not being renewed as a series. I so loved all of the characters. We will really miss them and the show. I just don’t understand why you get us all hooked on this wonderful show, and pull the rug out from under us!!! 🙁
Prefer a weely show. LOVE Signed, Sealed, Delivered!!
I love this show so much I would rather see a weekly show but if your going to put it to a 2 hour program please make more than 3 or 4 that is not enough. Everytime someone puts a really good show on someone else has to mess it up why!!!!!!!