The newest series on UPtv is The Sunshine Murders, a whacky, comedic, and interesting crime show with some fun characters. UPtv is noted for its family-friendly content and this series is definitely that, with the emphasis on family.

Shirley (Emily Corcoran), a farmer from New Zealand, just learned her paternal father is not the man she grew up with. Instead, her mother had an affair when she was visiting Greece and her biological father is a Greek. So, this effervescent woman, filled with curiosity and wit, travels to Greece in search of her father.

Helen (Dora Chrysikou), a detective in Athens, is a hard-nosed, vigilant cop whose daughter Thalia (Chloe Stannage) is strong-willed, often causing her some upheaval in her life. Her ex-husband is a sore subject to her, but her daughter is determined to get her own way.

When Shirley turns up at Helen’s claiming they are sisters – or half-sisters – Helen thinks she is crazy. She has grown up as an only child and has no idea her father also fathered another child. And Helen’s mother  Alexa (Marina Sirtis) thinks Shirley is a nut case.

Shirley does not give up and insists they take a DNA test, which they do.

In the meantime, Shirley injects herself into Helen’s life and job, and with her earthy wisdom helps Shirley’s murder investigation. She has a way about her that is a little unconventional yet very intelligent. She manages to be the Ying to Shirley’s Yang. Lo and behold, this unlikely duo becomes a great crime-fighting team.

And when Helen is attacked outside her house, it is Shirley who comes to the rescue and saves her live. From there the two decide to track down the attacker.

While investigating the murder of an archaeologist, it is Shirley’s uncanny wisdom that adds to the case, to the chagrin of Helen. 

While the half-sisters are completely different, their differences are what make the show. Helen is uptight while Shirley is a fly-by-the-seat-of-her pants woman. She is unstoppable and a fun character, although Helen sees her as a nuisance. But that nuisance is just what Helen needs to solve the crime.

These two characters, although opposites, do compliment each other. After all, they share the same DNA. The show also stars British pop-star Peter Andre as pathologist (George Constantinos).

UPtv describes this as a “cozy crime drama.” It is that combined with plenty of humor.

The Sunshine Murders premieres September 4, 2025 on UPtv for its 10-episode premiere season.

<strong>About the Author</strong>

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, <a href=”https://francinebrokaw.com/” target=”_blank”>Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists</a>, and is the entertainment correspondent for <em>Good Day Orange County</em>. Francine is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.