A Grey’s Anatomy star’s cosy murder mystery series is now streaming for free and fans are “already hooked”. Mistletoe Murders, a Hallmark mystery series based on Ken Cuperus’ Audible series of the same name, features former Grey’s star Sarah Drew as the enigmatic Emily Lane.

Emily relocates to the quaint town of Fletcher’s Grove in Upstate New York and purchases a Christmas shop that’s open all year round. When a string of murders disrupt the peaceful town, Emily must confront her past as she delves into the crimes, despite the disapproval of Detective Sam Wilner, played by Peter Mooney.

The official synopsis of the show states: “Christmas store owner Emily Lane’s sleuthing skills are put to the test as she investigates local murders. Despite Detective Sam Wilner’s growing affection for her, Emily’s enigmatic past raises suspicions about her true motives,” reports the Manchester Evening News.

Joining Sarah and Peter in the cast are Sierra Marilyn Riley, Lara Amersey, Kylee Evans, David Hewlett, Jake Epstein, Jean Yoon and Tommie-Amber Pirie in leading roles. The recurring cast features Kolton Stewart, Elena Juatco, Aaron Ashmore, Quincy Kirkwood and Evan Hasler.

The drama was shot amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Toronto, Ontario. In a nod to Emily’s detective predecessors, the fictional town of Fletcher’s Grove is fittingly named after Jessica Fletcher, Angela Lansbury’s beloved character from Murder, She Wrote.

Mistletoe Murders first premiered in the US last year, with a second series following just last month. Both series of Mistletoe Murders, each comprising six episodes, are now available to stream for free on ITVX, perfectly timed for the festive season. The show has also been commissioned for a third series.

For those who can’t get enough of Sarah Drew’s stellar performances, all 22 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy are available to stream on Disney+, along with the comedy film Moms’ Night Out, which has recently landed on Netflix.

Mistletoe Murders has resonated with viewers since its release, earning rave reviews for its “nail-biting” plot on IMDb. One viewer commented: “Only one episode in but I am already hooked. Sarah Drew does a great job of being a sweet and charming small town girl with a secret darker past. I’m very excited to see where they go with her storyline.”

Another chimed in: “Mistletoe Murders is the perfect blend of holiday spirit and nail-biting suspense, with Sarah Drew proving once again why she’s a force to be reckoned with. If you love cosy mysteries with a sharp edge and a standout lead, don’t miss Mistletoe Murders. Let’s hope we see more of Sarah Drew solving crimes, one clue at a time, very soon!”

A third viewer commented: “This series was the perfect blend of the heartwarming charm of a snowy love story and the intriguing suspense of a whodunit. It seamlessly combines everything we love from both genres into one captivating experience. From the very first episode, we were hooked, and the excitement carried us through every twist and turn in the story.”

A fourth enthusiast shared similar praise, remarking: “Really enjoyed this show. It’s the perfect watch during the cold snowy holiday season. I did not want it to end. We look forward to new episodes and are always waiting on the edge of our seats for the next. Highly recommend!”

Prior to solving murders in Fletcher’s Grove, Sarah Drew was best known for saving lives as Dr April Kepner on the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy.

Sarah featured in the programme for nine seasons before her departure at the conclusion of season 14, alongside Jessica Capshaw, who played Arizona Robbins.