What To Know
- Lori Loughlin returns as Jennifer Shannon in the new Garage Sale Mysteries: Murder Takes the Stage.
- She spoke with TV Insider about reprising the beloved role and what’s changed in the franchise.
- Loughlin also addressed the possibility of more Garage Sale Mysteries movies in the future.
When Lori Loughlin stepped onto the set of Garage Sale Mysteries: Murder Takes the Stage, it had been seven years since she filmed the franchise’s last movie. At long last, Loughlin is back in Jennifer Shannon’s shoes in the latest Garage Sale Mysteries movie, which debuts September 19 on Hallmark Channel.
“It was the happiest day of my life. I just was so grateful that the franchise was brought back, so grateful to reunite with the original cast, and I really, really liked the script,” Loughlin told TV Insider about her return. “It’s going to feel like comfort food, but I think our script is elevated. I mean, I love all the movies we’ve done, but I just feel like this is extra special.”
In the movie, a member of Jennifer’s true-crime book club is murdered during the group’s reenactment of the Lizzie Borden case. Jennifer quickly springs into action to solve the crime.
Even though it’s been nearly a decade since the last movie was filmed, Loughlin stressed that Garage Sale Mysteries is still the same franchise Hallmark fans know and love. “There are changes in the sense that her children have gotten older,” she explained. “The characters are empty nesters right now, so that’s a different chapter in their lives. But other than that, I think fans will be pleasantly surprised to see that the gang is intact, living their lives, still enjoying each other’s company, very much in each other’s lives, so there’s not a drastic change.”
Hallmark Media / Allister Foster
Loughlin was adamant about keeping the heart of Garage Sale Mysteries intact. She recalled when one of the producers she was working with to bring the movies back to Hallmark suggested a major storyline overhaul, like Jennifer and Jason Shannon (Steve Bacic) divorcing. At the time, Loughlin replied, “You cannot do that. That is not what our audience wants to see.” For the actress, “If the formula and the template are not broken, don’t fix it. All we need to do is a good mystery, and that’s what we’ve done.”
Jennifer and Jason are very much still together in Garage Sale Mysteries: Murder Takes the Stage. Loughlin said that working with Bacic again was “wonderful.” She had high praise for the entire cast. “They’re just such accomplished actors, and they bring so much to the material,” she said.
There have been over a dozen films in the Garage Sale Mysteries universe, and Loughlin revealed that she’s hopeful there will be more in the future. “I think we’re talking about possibly doing more, but until we get that green light, anything can happen,” she told TV Insider.
The actress, who is also returning for When Calls the Heart Season 14, is beyond thrilled to be back home at Hallmark. “They really nurtured this to be as good as it could possibly be, and I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful to Hallmark for giving me this opportunity again,” she said.
Garage Sale Mysteries: Murder Takes the Stage, Movie Premiere, September 19, 8/7c, Hallmark Channel