Exclusive Interview With Hallmark ‘Mystery 101’ Writer John Christian Plummer On End Of Series

Photo: Robin Thomas, Jill Wagner, Kristoffer Polaha Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman

This has been a rough week for Sleuthers. Late on Sunday, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries revealed in a Facebook social media reply that Mystery 101 was canceled. Devoted fans were shocked when they learned that Amy and Travis “have solved the last mystery and are off the case.” Moreover, this meant that the unresolved cliffhanger was never going to end in a happily ever after.

Next, on Monday, Kristoffer Polaha confirmed the cancelation and thanked fans. Late Monday, Jill Wagner also thanked fans.

Now, Mystery 101 screenwriter John Christian Plummer has graciously given TV Shows Ace another exclusive interview. The talented scribe talks about his favorite moment in the series, shares a special message with fans and reveals whether there can be another way for fans to learn how this love story ends.

Lastly, JCP also shares a bit about his next Hallmark mystery, Mystery Island.

Sleuthers will enjoy John’s compelling reasons to keep watching and keep sleuthing!

Photo: Kristoffer Polaha, Jill Wagner Credit: ©2021 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman
Photo: Kristoffer Polaha, Jill Wagner Credit: ©2021 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman

Could Sleuthers Get The Ending Another Way?

Will you try to find a way to tell your ending to this series?

The show is owned by Hallmark, so I’m not really in a position to shop any further iterations of it. 

John Christian Plummer’s Favorite Mystery 101 Moment

Do you have a favorite Mystery 101 moment(s)?

I have hundreds of favorite Mystery 101 moments! But if I had to choose one, it would certainly be when Amy and Travis tell each other they love each other.

Photo: Kristoffer Polaha, Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman
Photo: Kristoffer Polaha, Jill Wagner Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Kailey Schwerman

Clarification On Mystery 101 Script

Was there a script made for the eighth movie?

To clarify some confusion, I hadn’t written the script for episode 8, just shared a pitch with Hallmark. I shared the pitch with the Hallmark Mysteries and More podcast, so if people want to hear it, they can listen.

What Can John Christian Plummer Reveal About Hallmark’s Mystery Island?

Regarding your new Mystery Island mystery…I believe you told the Hallmark Mysteries and More podcast that this needs to be filmed pretty soon-before Hurricane season. I do realize you cannot spoil casting if there is a cast…or location. 

Mystery Island hasn’t been cast yet, and I don’t know details yet about location, but I think it’s all in motion. It will definitely be in a tropical location. 

John Christian Plummer Talks About His New Hallmark Mystery Mystery Island

You have this new Mystery Island mystery and something else brewing, possibly with Kristoffer Polaha. Do you have some persuasive words to share with disappointed Mystery 101 fans who want to give up watching Hallmark Movies & Mysteries?  

First, I’m so grateful for the support for Mystery 101 over 7 films and several years. I’m so grateful to HMM for making 7 films! That’s a huge commitment and undertaking. I understand the loss people feel right now. But a frequent theme in Mystery 101 was the danger of being stuck in the past; we saw this acutely in Words Can Kill and Deadly History.

It’s natural and human to look back, but nostalgia comes from the Greek word ‘algia’ meaning pain, grief, distress. I always encourage people to strive to live in the present and look toward the future.

If you are a fan of Mystery 101, a big part of that is the storytelling. So keep watching the stories I get to tell, starting with Mystery Island

Should Mystery 101 Fans Look To Francesca Quinn, PI For Travis And Amy Ending?

Regarding Francesca Quinn, PI, can or should fans look to that movie as a possible resolution for Amy and Travis?

No. Francesca Quinn, P.I. is its own story, and I hope to be able to tell the next chapter of Frankie and Wyn. 

John Christian Plummer, Mystery 101 Screenwriter used with his permission
John Christian Plummer, Screenwriter used with his permission

Final Words From John Christian Plummer On End Of Mystery 101 And Fans

John Christian Plummer, the screenwriter for Mystery 101 shares some words with the devoted fans of the Hallmark series.

I echo Kris’ profound appreciation for the legion of devoted Mystery 101 fans who made the series such a ratings success. As the great Agatha Christie wrote, ‘Sometimes what you think is an end is only a beginning.’

I’m grateful to be working on a new whodunnit, Mystery Island, and hope the Mystery 101 fans will give it a look when it premieres.

Sleuthers, do you have any messages for the Mystery 101 screenwriter John Christian Plummer?

Georgia Makitalo

2 Comments

  1. I don’t think it fair that after all this time this is how you end it for all us fans been watching hallmark all a long but this is to much !!! why can’t you do one more with a better ending!!

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