Why Is Cameron Mathison Not in New ‘Hannah Swensen Mystery’ ‘Pie To Die For’?
The Hallmark Channel is premiering the new mystery Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. However, Cameron Mathison is not starring in this movie. Why isn’t the actor who plays Detective Mike Kingston not in the upcoming mystery?
Here are all the details including what Alison Sweeney has to say about Cameron’s absence.
Why Is Cameron Mathison Not In Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery?
The Hallmark Channel is premiering Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery on Sunday, June 22, at 8 p.m., Eastern. Alison Sweeney is back as the baking sleuth. In addition, Barbara Niven is also returning as Delores Swensen. However, Cameron Mathison is not reprising his role as Detective Mike Kingston. Why isn’t he returning to the Hallmark mystery franchise?
TV Line reached out to the Hallmark Channel. The network’s response was that the network decided to “stay true to the book series.”
Those fans who also read the Joanne Fluke cozy mysteries are well aware that Mike is not her forever guy. But, is this really the main reason?
Cameron Mathison Signed An Exclusive Deal With Great American Family
Although Hallmark claimed that they decided to make a change to adhere to the series that Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen is based on, there could be a different reason. Back in November 2023, Cameron Mathison signed an exclusive deal with Great American Family.
Sleuthers who were disappointed that Aurora Teagarden ended know this story already. Candace Cameron Bure left the network for GAF and the series ended. While this series could be revived by creating a prequel, this was not the case in this series.
Instead, they had to make a decision. When Alison Sweeney spoke with the Hallmark Mysteries & More podcast, she revealed that she didn’t like a recast. Therefore, when they added Victor Webster to the series, they cast him as prosecutor Chad Norton.
In the mystery series, the explanation was that Mike left for a great opportunity at Quantico. For now, he is off of the series, but his character lives on in another world.
Sweeney later spoke to TV Line and further explained the decision, “That was a decision we made for Mike because I come from a soaps background and I love the philosophy of ‘never say never,’ so you never know where Mike will turn up next.”
Lastly, she acknowledged his career decision. “I love Cameron and wish him the best, but he decided to pursue a different career path.”
Has Hannah Swensen Moved On From Mike Kingston?
The new Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery is the twelfth movie in the series. Moreover, this is the fourth mystery without Cameron Mathison. Has Hannah Swensen moved on from Mike Kingston?
The new photos from the upcoming movie show Hannah and Chad doing the Tango. That could certainly be an indication that the romance is getting steamier. Fans will have to watch to see if there is more romance in this movie.
Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery Is Premiering On The Hallmark Channel
Sleuthers, please note that Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery is premiering on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday, June 22, at 8 p.m., Eastern. This movie will not be airing on Hallmark Mystery. Instead, the mystery channel will be all Christmas movies.
On Monday, June 23, Pie To Die For: A Hannah Swensen Mystery is going to be available to stream on Hallmark+.
Hannah Swensen fans, do you miss Cameron Mathison’s character in the mystery series?
