When Hallmark’s holiday mystery series “Mistletoe Murders” premieres its second season on November 7, 2025, the first two episodes will feature a familiar face among Hallmark devotees. The holiday-themed whodunit starring Sarah Drew and Peter Mooney (who play Emily and Sam) will also feature Hallmark fan-favorite Benjamin Ayres.
Ayres revealed his surprise cameo via social media on November 1 and, a couple of nights later, posted a photo of himself enjoying a private screening of the show with other cast members. Before the screening, Ayres told EntertainmentNow he loved getting to film in Toronto, where he’s from, and felt “honored” to be asked to be part of the series’ magic.
Benjamin Ayres Teases He May Get Into a Bit of Trouble on ‘Mistletoe Murders’
Ayres told EntertainmentNow that he was thrilled to be part of the first two episodes of the new season and that “the scripts were so good.”
Ayres couldn’t give lots of details (this is a mystery, after all!) but admitted his character may get “embroiled in something that he shouldn’t be doing,” Ayres continued. “And at the same time, you kind of have sympathy for him.”
According to Hallmark’s logline for the first episode, Emily and Sam will reunite “to solve the disappearance of the school chess coach, triggering echoes of Emily’s past.”
In addition to his many starring roles in Hallmark movies, including his latest — “A Christmas Angel Match” co-starring Meghan Ory — Ayres is no stranger to series work. His credits include playing Ben Cohen on “Family Law,” and recurring roles on series like “Suits,” “Burden of Truth,” and the Canadian medical drama “Saving Hope.” So getting to play this different type of role in “Mistletoe Murders” was a treat, he told EntertainmentNow.
“I really, really thrive in and love being asked to come out and do cameos in Hallmark (projects) because it allows me to do something a little different than just kind of ‘leading man stuff,'” he said.
Benjamin Ayres Says He Loved Getting to Work With Friends Sarah Drew & Peter Mooney
HallmarkAyres also told EntertainmentNow that he felt “honored to be asked” to be part of “Mistletoe Murders.” He’s not only friends with Mooney and Drew, but knows how much the show means to them.
“I was so excited when Sarah booked the series,” he recalled. “I remember before day one of season one, she and I went out for sushi and she was just going on and on about how amazing this script was and how much she loved the series. I’m just a big fan of Sarah.”
“And I’ve known Peter for a long time,” Ayres added. “We were on ‘Saving Hope’ together and ‘Rookie Blue,’ and you know, he’s another Toronto local. So it’s nice for me to get to hang out with Sarah and Peter.”
The first season of “Mistletoe Murders” is available to stream on Hallmark+. The second season will premieres on Hallmark Channel on November 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
