Longtime Hallmark Channel fan-favorite and “Hope Valley: 1874” star Benjamin Ayres is thrilled that “True Justice: Eye for an Eye” is finally set to premiere on May 23, 2026 — not only because he loves the new mystery franchise and its ensemble cast, but because it gives him a chance to celebrate the “force” that is Nikki DeLoach.
Benjamin Ayres & Nikki DeLoach First Worked on 2019’s “Cranberry Christmas”
Hallmark“Eye for an Eye” is the second, long-awaited movie in the “True Justice” franchise, which first debuted in January 2024 with “True Justice: Family Ties.”
In addition to playing Professor Ambrose again, DeLoach wrote the movies with her screenwriting partner Megan McNulty, shadowed director Lisa Soper as part of Hallmark’s Make Her Mark mentorship program for up-and-coming directors, and also somehow managed to earn a PhD during filming, according to her May 22 social media post.
Ayres, who plays District Attorney Quinn, told EntertainmentNow, “She is a force. She just has so much energy. I’m like, ‘Uh, give me some of that in a cup, please.’ Being around her, it does rub off. And, you know, it was very special for me to get that phone call and to find out that, you know, they wrote that part for me.”
The “True Justice” franchise follows a group of law school students dubbed the “Justice Warriors,” led by Katherine McNamara’s character, Casey Barlowe. With a cast including Markian Tarasiuk, Alexander Nunez Marisa McIntyre, and Sabrina Saudin, the group of amateur sleuthers helps exonerate people wrongfully charged and convicted of crimes they didn’t commit — something DeLoach was excited to highlight in her screenwriting.
Ayres, who first teamed up with DeLoach in 2019’s “Cranberry Christmas,” said, “That’s Nikki, right? Everything Nikki does better be changing the world. I love it so much. I’ve told her so many times that she inspires me. She’s just such an inspiration on so many different levels.”
In addition to the quest for justice, Ayres said viewers will get to see his and DeLoach’s characters “a little more in some private moments, see how their relationship works.”
Benjamin Ayres Hopes Fans Watch ‘True Justice’ in Droves So They Can Continue the Franchise
In early 2025, a third “True Justice” movie was filmed in Ottawa at the same time as “Eye for an Eye,” and is expected to debut sometime in 2026. Ayres told EntertainmentNow he hopes people tune in so Hallmark has good reason to continue the franchise.
“The exciting thing about them being out is that then we’ll find out if we get to shoot more,” he said. “Megan and Nikki do an incredible job with their research — these are complicated to write. Coming up with new mysteries and the red herrings every time is difficult.”
“And all around it’s just such a great team,” Ayres continued. “Really good director, Joel Rice produces them and I love Joel. I’m just happy they’re coming out.”
“True Justice: Eye for an Eye” premieres on Hallmark Channel on May 23 at 8 p.m. Eastern time and will be available to stream the next day on Hallmark+.
