For the past ten years, Alison Sweeney has captivated viewers as the star of the Hannah Swensen Mystery TV movie series on the Hallmark network, originally known as Murder, She Baked. With the latest film airing in October 2024, anticipation was high about whether Sweeney would reprise her role as the charming baker-detective Hannah Swensen in 2025.

Fans' hopes were confirmed on January 23, when Sweeney excitedly announced a new addition to the series via a surprise Instagram post. Sharing a promotional photo with co-star Victor Webster, she revealed their film, Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. 

In her post, Sweeney expressed her enthusiasm: "I am so excited to jump into 2025 with an announcement! There’s an all-new #HannahSwensenMystery, Reality Bites, coming soon! @iamvictorwebster & I had some fun with this one. And of course, the fabulous @barbaraniven always shines. Some classic Delores moments in this one. Norman returns, ready to help solve the mystery! Reality Bites premieres Thursday, February 6th on @hallmarkmystery 🕵🏼‍♀️🔍."

The announcement quickly stirred excitement among fans, with many expressing their eagerness and gratitude for the series' return. The movie recently premiered on Thursday, February 6 on the Hallmark Mystery Channel. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Reality Bites marks the 11th installment of this beloved Hallmark Mystery series, drawing from Joanne Fluke's bestselling mystery novels. This latest film adapts Blueberry Muffin Murder, the third book in the series, and features a script penned by Sweeney herself.

As an actress and executive producer, Sweeney continues to engage Hallmark audiences with her nuanced portrayals of heartfelt, complex characters. Whether she's navigating romantic holiday tales or unraveling small-town mysteries, Sweeney's performances consistently highlight her depth and versatility.

Fandom Daily sat down with Sweeney for an exclusive Q&A to discuss her role in Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery and explore what motivates her as both an actress and a producer in these engaging projects.

Fandom Daily: You've played this role across many movies. What makes this next film special for you?

Alison Sweeney: "I've cherished portraying this character for 10 films. It's always been enjoyable, especially as the character has evolved. Writing the script for this next movie adds a new depth to my understanding and involvement. It's exciting to develop the script and guide the characters in a direction I envision."

Fandom Daily: What does writing the script mean to you, and why did you decide to take on this role?

Alison Sweeney: "It's been a natural progression since I started producing. I've been heavily involved in the development, drawing inspiration from Joanne Fluke's books. Initially, I contributed more to the outlines and eventually decided to try writing myself, with a backup plan in case it didn't work out. It's been incredibly satisfying and fun, deepening my love for crafting mysteries."

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Fandom Daily: Do you see yourself continuing to write in the future?

Alison Sweeney: "Absolutely, I hope so. If the audience continues to enjoy them as much as I do, I'd love to keep writing."

Fandom Daily: Is there a part of the filmmaking process you haven't explored yet, but want to?

Alison Sweeney: "Directing is something I'm interested in. I've directed a bit in daytime TV, but directing a film involves a different scope and time commitment. It's something I'm eager to pursue further."

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Fandom Daily: How does it feel to reprise this role repeatedly and see the continuous fan enthusiasm?

Alison Sweeney: "It's incredibly thrilling. The fan response has been vital in continuing this series. I love making films that offer people a little escape, something fun and perhaps a bit silly, to take a break from the stresses of everyday life. Knowing that families can enjoy these films together, and that the characters resonate with viewers so deeply, is truly rewarding."

Fandom Daily: What's next for you?

Alison Sweeney: "I'm currently prepping for a very exciting project. I can't reveal details yet, but it involves a fresh story and new co-stars, which promises to be fun and challenging. I'm looking forward to sharing more about this soon."