Valerie Harper to Guest on Hallmark's Upcoming Series SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED

Hallmark Channel announces Golden Globe(R) and four-time Emmy(R) winning actress Valerie Harper has been cast to guest star in the first two episodes of Hallmark Channel's newest Original Primetime Series, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," produced by Muse Entertainment in association with MoonWater Productions, the series is set to premiere Spring 2014. Created and Executive Produced by Martha Williamson, best known as the Executive Producer behind the mega-hit "Touched By An Angel," the scripted Primetime show features a group of postal detectives, played by Eric Mabius ("Ugly Betty"), Kristin Booth ("The Kennedys"), Crystal Lowe ("Smallville") and Geoff Gustafson ("Primeval: New World"), who solve mysteries behind undeliverable letters and packages that can transform lives. Harper will portray their Supervisor, a revolving role that will feature other iconic guest stars in upcoming episodes.

Valerie Harper is perhaps best known for her role as Mary Tyler Moore's outgoing upstairs neighbor turned best friend, Rhoda Morgenstern, on the hit comedy series "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and later in her own spin-off series, "Rhoda." With this memorable and lovable role on one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, Harper garnered critical acclaim and four Emmy(R) Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, leading to a successful and long career on stage and screen and securing her place in television and in the hearts of American viewers.

Harper's career highlights include Golden Globe(R) nominated performances in the motion pictures "Freebie and The Bean" and "Chapter Two," a Tony(R) Award nominated performance in the Broadway production of Looped, the lead role on NBC series "Valerie" and multiple guest appearances on hit series including "Sex and the City," "Touched by an Angel," "Melrose Place," "That '70s Show," "Drop Dead Diva," "Desperate Housewives" and "The Simpsons." Her recent memoir I Rhoda, was published in January 2013 and she just completed a turn on ABC's hit competition show, "Dancing With the Stars."

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered," follows a quartet of unlikely heroes played by Mabius, Booth, Lowe and Gustafson, whose missions take them out of The Office into an unpredictable world where redirected letters and packages can save lives, solve crimes, reunite old loves and change futures by arriving late but somehow miraculously on time. In Harper's two-episode arc as the team's supervisor, she'll inspire each of them to fulfill their unique purposes, as she courageously embraces her own.

"In addition to bringing her own unique storytelling talent to 'Signed Sealed and Delivered', Martha Williamson is also able to draw on some of televisions most beloved icons, like Valerie Harper," says Michelle Vicary, executive Vice president, programming, Crown Media Family Networks. "Valerie's characteristic joy and inimitable humor will lend so much to the series and we are delighted to welcome her aboard to help us kick off this journey."

"Valerie is a brilliant comedic actress and one of the most generous human beings I know," said Series Creator Martha Williamson." "You'll see her contagious joie de vivre reflected in this tailor made part I was privileged to write for her."

"I'm thrilled to be working with the wonderful Martha Williamson again," said Valerie Harper.

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered" is a Muse Entertainment production in association with MoonWater Productions. Executive Producers are Martha Williamson ("Touched by an Angel"), Joel S. Rice ("Cyberbully"), Michael Prupas ("The Kennedys") and Scott Smith ("Call Me Fitz"). Harvey Kahn ("The Haunting Hour") is the producer. Muse Distribution International holds the worldwide distribution rights.

Photo by Walter McBride