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‘Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries’ on UPtv and UP Faith and Family

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The quaint Amish community of Sugarcreek, Ohio is a laid-back place where people help each other, look out for each other, and blend Amish and English residents in a picturesque setting. Sugarcreek has been the setting for several previous films, and now it is the center of the new UPtv series Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries. 

In the last movie, Cheryl Cooper (Galadriel Stineman) left Chicago after a difficult breakup and moved to Sugarcreek to manage her aunt’s gift shop. It is a little difficult adjustment for her, but Cheryl manages beautifully, especially with the help and friendship of her new Amish friend Naomi (Denise Gossett). 

Both Cheryl and Naomi are attracted to mysteries, to the chagrin of Police Chief Twitchell (Lance E. Nichols). It’s the old story of residents getting involved in police matters, and usually getting to the bottom of mysteries before the officials. Thanks to their inside contacts and sharp instincts, this new duo manages to not only deepen their friendship, but also help the community when trouble comes to Sugarcreek. 

“We’re excited to return to Sugarcreek and bring viewers deeper into Cheryl’s world,” said Crissie Miller, vice president, content strategy at UP Entertainment. “The success of our 2025 world premiere movie, Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries: Blessings in Disguise, made it clear our audience connected with the warmth, mystery and sense of belonging at the heart of this story. With Easter as the backdrop for our series launch, the timing feels perfect to invite families back into this community for new adventures.”

The pilot episode focuses on a rash of seemingly insignificant items being stolen from the shops in the town. Cheryl feels there is a connection between the thefts and an unknown person taking shelter in Naomi’s barn. 

As Cheryl digs deeper, Naomi sets a trap to find out who is living in her barn. She does not feel there is any danger, but it is a mystery she wants to solve. 

While the two keep their investigations from Chief Twitchell, they seem to be getting closer and closer to the thief. But is it who they think it is? There are several twists throughout the story as this calm Amish community is the focus of the mystery.

Slowly, Cheryl becomes ensconced in this quiet community. It is a comfortable place and her friendships with the Amish people takes root. Perhaps she might even have a new love interest. We’ll have to wait to see. It looks like Levi (Kevin Joy) might just step into that role.

This new heartfelt series premieres April 23, 2016 on UPtv. There are eight one-hour episodes in this first season. Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries is an easy-going, laid-back show filled with interesting stories blending the quiet Amish lifestyle with English mysteries. Viewers can also stream the series on UP Faith and Family.

About the Author

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 and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Image courtesy UPtv

‘The Sunshine Murders’ on UPtv

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

 

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.