Courtney Thorne-Smith to Star in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' SITE UNSEEN: AN EMMA FIELDING MYSTERY

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, the #1 cable TV destination for suspense and mystery, announces the World Premiere of the first installment of the network's newest mystery movie franchise "Emma Fielding Mysteries" based on the series of novels by famed historical archeologist turned fiction writer Dana Cameron. Courtney Thorne-Smith ("Life with Jim," "Melrose Place") stars as Emma Fielding in SITE UNSEEN: AN EMMA FIELDING MYSTERY a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Original World Premiere, Sunday, May 21 (9 p.m. ET/PT).

In "Site Unseen: An Emma Fielding Mystery," Emma (Thorne-Smith) is a brilliant, dedicated, and driven archaeologist who discovers artifacts that have been lost for hundreds of years--and she's very, very good at it. Emma has recently unearthed evidence of a possible 17th century coastal Maine settlement that predates Jamestown, one of the most significant archaeological finds in years. But the dead body she uncovers on the site pushes Emma into a different kind of exploration. Her dig site is suddenly in jeopardy of being shut down, due to the meddling of local treasure-hunters and a second suspicious murder. Emma must team with the handsome FBI Agent investigating the case to dig up dirt on the killer, before Emma and her excavation are ancient history.

"We are so thrilled to bring Courtney Thorne-Smith to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries to play the multi-dimensional character of Emma Fielding, an archeologist with a knack for unearthing more than antiquities," says Michelle Vicary, EVP of Programming.

"Courtney will bring objective reasoning, deftness, and a keen sense of humor to Emma Fielding, and we expect the series will have the same stellar success our other mystery movie franchises enjoy," Vicary concluded.

"Site Unseen: An Emma Fielding Mystery" is a Muse Entertainment Production. Joel Rice, Courtney Thorne-Smith, and Michael Prupas are Executive Producers, with Kellie Martin as Co-Executive Producer. Harvey Kahn will Produce from a screenplay adapted by Suzette Couture, based on the series of novels by author Dana Cameron.

ABOUT HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES With sister cable television network Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is the second 24-hour linear channel under the Crown Media Family Networks umbrella. Distributed in both (HD) and standard definition (SD) in 68 million homes across the United States, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is one of the fastest growing networks in cable and a leading destination for quality, family friendly entertainment. Launched in 2008 as Hallmark Movie Channel, the network was re-branded in fall of 2014, transitioning into Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. True to its name, the channel brings the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres into focus with rich, dramatic, and thought-provoking storytelling. The network's programming lineup features a unique mix of new, original movies, presentations from the acclaimed HALLMARK HALL OF FAME library, and such time-honored acquired series as "Murder, She Wrote," "Matlock," "Hart to Hart" and "Diagnosis Murder." The channel is also home to the annual, eight-week holiday programming event "Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas," which helps viewers celebrate the season with new, original movies and beloved holiday classics, including "A Christmas Carol," "Holiday Affair," "Babes in Toyland," and "Christmas in Connecticut." Hallmark Cards, Inc. owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks.