Naman Shrestha
Directed by Winnifred Jong, OWN’s ‘Very Merry Mystery’ centers on Bea, a beloved hairstylist whose presence is cherished across the community of Goldfern, Georgia, not only for her extraordinary hairstyling abilities but also for her boundless enthusiasm for Christmastime. On the personal front, the beauty shop owner is in a relationship with Troy, who has recently been promoted to the post of a detective. One fine evening, she visits the swanky mansion of a no-nonsense, formidable businesswoman named Miss Grace Burton for a Christmas-themed Murder Mystery party. However, Bea’s excitement soon goes down the drain when the host vanishes without a trace.
Worried it might not be a stunt, Bea contacts Troy for help, who rushes to the residence. With nothing but a ransom note, Bea, Troy, and other guests are left to solve the mystery behind the woman’s disappearance. With potential motives to perpetrate the kidnapping of Miss Grace Burton, the finger points to every single person at the party. The couple takes it upon themselves to figure it out and swiftly embarks on their own investigation. As she strives to unveil the truth, many secrets rise to the surface. The narrative unfolds across many backdrops, from the luxurious manor to Bea’s beauty parlor to other spots in town, all of which enhance the visual tension amidst the festive charm.
Where Was Very Merry Mystery Filmed?
The shooting for ‘Very Merry Mystery’ took place in Ontario, particularly in London. According to reports, principal photography for the OWN production was conducted over the course of a few weeks, between late June and early July 2025. More than half of the crew members involved in the shooting process were locals, while only a few actors were from Toronto and the US. It was reportedly a challenge for them to recreate the snowy setting of Christmas at the peak of summer.
London, Ontario
Almost the entirety of ‘Very Merry Mystery’ was lensed across the city of London, situated in southwestern Ontario at the confluence of the Thames River and the North Thames River. The production team managed to redress certain areas of the city as a winter wonderland during the summer of 2025, using fake snow and Christmas decorations. The neighborhood of Wortley Village served as one of the prominent production locations where key portions of the film were shot.
In addition, the filming unit for the Winnifred Jong directorial also set up camp in and around the campus of Western University, located at 1151 Richmond Street. Also known as the University of Western Ontario, the university is home to twelve academic faculties and schools, and is surrounded by residential neighbourhoods. Apart from ‘Very Merry Mystery,’ London has hosted the production for many movies and TV shows over the years. Some of the notable ones include ‘The Hearst and Davies Affair,’ ‘Burden,’ ‘Liminality,’ and ‘Tracker.’
Very Merry Mystery Cast Details
The chemistry between the characters of Ashleigh Murray and Tristan Mack Wilds drives the heartwarming tale of ‘Very Merry Mystery’ forward. In her early years, Ashleigh studied jazz, piano, and hip-hop while staying with her aunt in Oakland, California. Meanwhile, Tristan has also served as an executive producer for short films ‘Fifteen’ and ‘Last Fair Deal,’ a movie titled ‘Dinner for Two,’ and a show called ‘After Hours.’
Ashleigh Murray as Bea King
Ashleigh Murray plays the role of Bea King, the beloved hairstylist, in the romantic movie. Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, the talented actor’s acting prowess can be seen in ‘Riverdale’ and ‘Katy Keene’ as Josie McCoy, ‘The Other Black Girl’ as Hazel-May McCall, and ‘Valley Girl’ as Loryn. She also stars in ‘The Way Out,’ ‘Christmas in Harmony,’ ‘Deidra & Laney Rob a Train,’ ‘Tom Swift,’ and ‘Younger.’
Tristan Mack Wilds as Troy Rhodes
Tristan Mack Wilds portrays Troy Rhodes, a newly promoted detective and Bea’s boyfriend, in ‘Very Merry Mystery.’ You might recognize him from his portrayals of Ray “Junior” Gannon in ‘Red Tails,’ Jamal in ‘Half Nelson,’ Zach Taylor in ‘The Secret Life of Bees,’ and Dixon Wilson in ‘90210.’ His other movie and TV credits include the likes of ‘Praise This,’ ‘Really Love,’ ‘The Breaks,’ ‘Shots Fired,’ ‘Swagger,’ and ‘The Wire.’
Besides the lead actors, the movie also features other talented actors in supporting roles, including Zahra Bentham as Desiree Barnes, Jenny Brizard as Mrs. Brewer, Robinne Fanfair as Deborah King, Rainbow Sun Francks as Dr. Maurice Whitaker, Kimberly Huie as Grace Burton, Kathy Maloney as Evelyn Whittaker, Samora Smallwood as Whitney Foster, and Romaine Waite as Calvin Dee.
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