Los Angeles (The Hollywood Times) 9/4/26 — For TV veteran Tamera Mowry-Housley, starring in a Hallmark mystery set against the stunning backdrop of Ireland was a dream come true.
Years ago, when she was dating her now-husband, Adam Housley, he took her to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day. She fell in love with both the man and the breathtaking landscape of the Emerald Isle.
Now, she’s returned to Ireland for Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Prelude to a Wedding, the latest installment in Hallmark’s popular mystery franchise.
Mowry-Housley stars as Gethsemane, an accomplished music teacher invited to perform at a wedding on an Irish estate. But when a member of the bridal party turns up dead, Gethsemane and her ghostly sidekick, Eamon (Risteard Cooper), find themselves caught up in a murder investigation. The movie also stars Marco Grazzini (Virgin River).
The fourth movie in the Haunted Harmony Mysteries franchise, Prelude to a Wedding, premieres Saturday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel and streams the following day on Hallmark+.
Here, the Sister, Sister star talks about her new mystery, returning to Ireland, Hallmark fans, working with Grazzini, her advice for aspiring actors, and why she says that she hopes to keep acting until she’s 99.
What attracted you to this Hallmark movie?
I have always wanted to play a detective, and I liked how this movie was different from anything I’ve ever seen. In this movie, I have a partner. Every detective show usually has a partner in crime, and in this one, I have a partner who happens to be a ghost.
I loved the comedic element of the film. Although it’s a murder mystery, there’s a lightness to it. Adding comedy to it and having my character, Gethsemane, be extremely quirky was so much fun. Being a detective just excites her in every way possible. Especially coming from a comedy background, I loved the challenge of doing comedy, keeping it grounded, and also playing the drama of it all.
Are you drawn to mysteries in movies, TV, and podcasts?
Oh my gosh, I absolutely love that I’m a storyteller. I love sharing stories, whether that’s for my personal life—I was a talk show host for seven years—or podcasting, which is definitely something I’m interested in.
I love to create. The thing about being an actor is that I can create with all my senses. It’s invigorating for me.
Tell me about working in Ireland. Had you spent time there before?
Oh yes. I was dating Adam Housley, the man who is now my husband, and he took me to Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day. I just fell in love with the Irish landscape.
It is stunning. It is absolutely beautiful. One of my favorite things to do when I was shooting the film was flying into Ireland. They call it the Green Isle, and it really is. You can just see this lush, gorgeous green.
I feel like I’m home when I fly in. The Irish people are some of the kindest, hardest-working people I have ever met—and their Guinness isn’t that bad either.
Why are Hallmark Christmas movies and now this one such a good fit for you?
I’ve always been a person who looks on the positive side more than anything. I’ve always spoken about faith, love, hope, and joy. That is, to me, the brand of Hallmark.
It was a no-brainer for me to partner with them. I love their content, and they do it so beautifully because you know the formula. You know what’s going to happen, but you’re always sucked in. I think it’s because, as humans, we crave hope. We crave joy, and we want to see it in our lives.
What is it like meeting Hallmark fans at different events?
I get a chance to meet a lot of Hallmark fans, and when you hear their stories—maybe they’ve had surgery, been in the hospital, or been down, and watching Hallmark uplifted their spirits—this is why I think storytelling is so important.
It’s not just about you as the actor being able to do what you love to do. It’s what you’re putting out there and what the result is. When people watch this, you can change lives.
I’ve heard so many stories. People may be depressed, and Hallmark gives them a place of belonging. Hallmark goes further than just being an actor in their films, and that is beautiful. Their brand started with greeting cards before these films. I think it’s so awesome that they’ve been able to build this brand on greeting cards and then make movies that make you feel the same way.
What are some fall traditions for you and your family?
We love to cook, and seasonal cooking is huge where I live. A lot of the menus at restaurants reflect the farm life and what’s happening out there.
In the fall, I’m always going to make some kind of pumpkin something, butternut squash, chicken roasts, and all of that. It’s time to get in that kitchen and start cooking.
Did you know Marco Grazzini before this movie, and were you a fan of his popular Netflix series, Virgin River?
I knew of him, but I never knew him, and he is such a wonderful actor to work with. We had a lot of fun. He’s just so kind. He has a daughter, and I talk about my daughter, so that’s how we truly connected.
I love that in this film, because again, with these films, the love triangle is slow-burning. The mystery and humor are usually first, and the partner in crime, Eamon, and I are usually at the forefront of it.
But I was happy that Marco got his chance in this one, and I thought he did a fantastic job.
Do you have any plans to work with your sister again in the near future?
I would love to. I think it just depends on the right project. I know she’s busy; I’m busy. She’s busy with her life and her family, and same with me. I pray something will come to fruition, and when it does, it’ll be the right time, and it’ll be beautiful.
You’ve been a storyteller for such a long time. You started so young in television. What is it like when a fan comes up to you and says, “I’ve known you since you were 10” or “I’ve loved you since you were 10, 15 or 20?”
The word that comes to mind is grateful. I love what I do. Of course, I work hard, and I really care. To hear people say they love your work or they’ve been following you for so many years, it makes you feel good. You’re like, “Okay, I’m not just doing this for myself. Some people are enjoying this.”
I realize how blessed I am to have been working for 37 years and still have my mind, still have joy, still have the love and passion for what I do. I love it, and I pray that I continue to do it until I am 99.
If you were advising a teenager or adult who wants to go into acting today, what would you tell them?
I would say always hone your craft. Learn the art of the audition because no matter what stage you are in during your career, don’t be scared of auditioning.
Understand that it is an opportunity to show your version of this role. Don’t take it personally if you don’t get the part, especially if you’ve done your best. Just try to book the room—meaning, try to gain fans with the casting director. That’s like the number one thing.
Not every role is going to be right for you, and you don’t want a role that’s not for you. That’s the main thing.
Do you have other advice?
Know your why. Why do you want to be an actor? What keeps you excited about acting? Being an actor—I’m just going to call a spade a spade—it’s not easy. You’re being vulnerable. You’re putting yourself out there for people to judge and critique.
You have to be okay with whatever result is out there. Take constructive criticism and always strive to be better. But if you know your why, that’s going to keep you on the right track.
How do you watch Hallmark as a family, especially during the Christmas season? Are you in your PJs, wrapped in blankets and drinking cocoa?
Yes, we do it exactly like you just said.
Around the holidays, we always have it on while we’re cooking. Especially when one of my films comes on, everyone gathers around. Even my kids—although they don’t like me kissing another guy who’s not their dad!
I know once they get older, they’ll understand it’s just acting, but they give me honest feedback. They will tell me which Hallmark movies they like of mine.
Around the holidays, Hallmark has become part of our pop culture. Of course we have it on. So do my friends and in-laws.
Why should readers see Prelude to a Wedding?
I would say because it’s cozy, and fall is coming up. It’s a really good cozy mystery. If you love mysteries and trying to figure out a good whodunit, we have so many characters, and it’s definitely going to keep you guessing.
There’s comedy, romance, and this one has more jump scares. It’s a little bit more eerie, but it’s fun. It’s fun. I personally think it is one of the most beautifully shot films that we have made. Even though it happens at a hotel for a wedding, it’s just beautiful.
And you can really start seeing the love triangle starting to break away a little bit. You can start seeing who—hmm, wonder who Gethsemane is going to end up with!
The fourth movie in the Haunted Harmony Mysteries franchise, Prelude to a Wedding, premieres Saturday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m. ET on Hallmark Channel and streams the following day on Hallmark+.
