Why These Popular Hallmark Shows Got Canceled

Correction 12/5/22: An earlier version of this article mistakenly referred to "Martha's Vineyard Mysteries" as canceled. This reference has been removed.

The Hallmark Channel is the go-to place for romance and holiday-related programming, which makes total sense when you consider the network was started by the same people who pretty much invented greeting cards and wrapping paper (per Hallmark).

The Hall brothers (Joyce Clyde and Rollie) were a couple of young entrepreneurs who sold the cards and wrapping paper they'd printed themselves in their Missouri shop during WW1. When they noticed soldiers and their faraway loved ones sending the cards to each other, they knew they were onto something. In 1928, they changed the name of their burgeoning greeting card business to Hallmark. Years later, in 1951, Hallmark entered the realm of TV (per The New Yorker).

Greeting cards are all about messages, as is Hallmark programming. Hallmark's first original TV series—a popular morning talk show—was called Home and Family. Many others followed. And though each show is different, certain earmarks are unmistakable. They're family-friendly enough for kids to watch with grandparents—no profanity or sex and little violence—and they often communicate heartfelt lessons about love and caring (via Vocal Media).

Nobody will argue that our world could benefit from a little—or a lot—more love and caring, which is why millions turn to the Hallmark series for comfort. And when the series get canceled, we're understandably upset, especially when the reason for the cancellation isn't apparent. So we did a little research about some favorites that've recently disappeared from the small screen. Here's what we learned.

"Good Witch" was about a woman and her teenage daughter with "special intuition" and their new next-door neighbors, a single father and his son (via Hallmark). In July 2021, Hallmark announced the series would end with a finale on July 25, 2021 (via TV Insider). Star Catherine Bell—who'd been playing protagonist Cassie since the first "Good Witch" movie in 2008—was understandably disappointed.

On Instagram, Bell said, "I am so grateful for seven seasons ... and 13 years (of movies) of being a part of 'Good Witch,' working with the KINDEST and most talented cast & crew, producers, network! It has always felt like family." Co-star James Denton added, "It would be unseemly to complain about your show being cancelled after seven seasons, and I won't. I've been very fortunate to have been on other long-running series, but 'Good Witch' was special" (per Deadline).

But why was it canceled? Hallmark didn't specify a reason. However, the website TV Series Finale states that ratings for the show in Season 7 were down 29% from Season 6, and it was also down 18% in viewership. Still, in August 2022, when Hallmark Executive VP of Programming Lisa Hamilton Daly was asked about the series during the Television Executives Association summer press tour, she said, "As far as 'Good Witch,' I think we're always interested in thinking about what we can do with our most popular IP ... I can't announce anything specific about that" (via TV Line).

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered" began as a Hallmark movie in 2013, and it was then adapted into a 10-episode TV series that aired in the spring of 2014. It would be several years before more episodes aired due to complications from COVID-19 (via TV Series Finale). The show, according to TKTK

According to Hallmark, the plot focuses on four postal detectives who go to great lengths to track down recipients of undeliverable mail. All incarnations of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" have been popular with viewers, at least partly because its creator, executive producer, and writer is Martha Williamson of "Touched by an Angel" (via Parade).

In mid-October 2021, Southern Living aired an exclusive clip of what many believed would be the final installment of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered." The film aired a few days later, and it was a tearjerker titled "The Vows We Have Made." But is the series over? Perhaps not, because Hallmark media president/CEO Wonya Lucas said something quite encouraging about "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in August 2022. "The fandom and the passion for that franchise is unusual. And so we listen, we hear. There's more to come" (via TVLine). 

Lisa Hamilton Daly, EVP, Programming added, "We're always interested in thinking about what we can do with our most popular IP. I can't announce anything specific about that. I don't think we're finished with that."

"Cedar Cove" was a popular romantic series set in coastal Washington State that featured many talented and well-known actors, including Andie MacDowell, Dylan Neal, and Sarah Smyth. MacDowell, the protagonist, played a goodhearted judge trying to do the right things in all aspects of her life. It was based on books by Debbie Macomber (via Hallmark).

Fans of "Cedar Cove" loved the show and were excited to see what would happen in Season 4, but it wasn't meant to be. On November 13, 2015, Hallmark posted a statement on the Cedar Cove Facebook page that read, "Cedar Cove" was the first series launched on Hallmark Channel, and we are incredibly proud of the exquisitely beautiful three season arc it delivered. It was an honor to bring to life the kindness, consideration and courage of this story that Debbie Macomber envisioned. Our heartfelt thanks go out to the extraordinary cast, writers, artists and designers—especially Andie MacDowell, executive producer and show runner Sue Tenney, and of course, Debbie Macomber. It is a privilege to continue a creative working relationship with the incredible talents associated with this series—both in front of and behind the camera—for upcoming projects on Hallmark Channel USA and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries."

As is typical of Hallmark, the network didn't provide a specific reason for dropping the series, but the cancelation was due to drooping ratings (via TV Series Finale).

"Hailey Dean Mysteries" was a series of Hallmark mystery movies starring Kellie Martin as a therapist—and former prosecutor—who keeps being pulled into investigations regarding suspicious deaths. At present, nine movies have aired (via Hallmark).

According to Cinemablend, the demise of "Hailey Dean Mysteries" sounds suspiciously similar to what happened to "Matchmaker Mysteries." In short, just as Hallmark didn't officially announce the cancellation of "Matchmaker Mysteries," they didn't make an announcement about "Hailey Dean Mysteries" ending, either. Martin was privately informed and was left to break the bad news on her personal Twitter with the tweet, writing, "I just found out that Hailey Dean is done at Hallmark (broken heart emoji) Really sad and sorry to report." The show's ending has yet to be officially confirmed.

Fans responded appropriately with shock, sadness, and sympathy. Notably, actor Viv Leacock, who'd been part of the series, expressed his dismay at the decision by tweeting, "I'm very disappointed ... I think we had some magic with this one. Myself and @Kellie_Martin heard from folks around the world about how much they loved our show." Yet, as far as we can tell, it's been nothing but crickets from the Hallmark Channel.