Hallmark’s ‘Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder’, directed by Jessica Harmon and her mother, Cynde Harmon, is a mystery drama centered on the character Maddie Moore. Maddie works as a concierge at a Detroit hotel during the day and a tipline operator for the Detroit Free Press at night. Her profession entails fielding a variety of calls, ranging from UFO encounters to missing kittens. However, things take a sinister turn when she receives a cryptic phone about a planned jewelry robbery, which leads her into a suspicious homicide investigation. She collaborates with a freshly promoted investigator named Beeks to seek the truth.
The suspenseful and dark themes of the film are highlighted by its moody visuals, set against the backdrop of Detroit. This leads to curiosity about the real locations where this movie was filmed.
“Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder” Filming Locations
‘Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder’ was filmed entirely in British Columbia, Canada, particularly in Greater Vancouver. The production of the film took place in February 2024. British Columbia, with its versatile landscapes and urban settings, was an ideal stand-in for Detroit, Michigan, where the movie is set.
Greater Vancouver, British Columbia
Although the storyline of the movie unfolds in Detroit, the actual filming was done in Greater Vancouver, also known as Metro Vancouver. This metropolitan region, with Vancouver as its urban center, provided the perfect backdrop to replicate the look and feel of Detroit. The production team meticulously chose locations within Vancouver to mimic the urban and gritty atmosphere of Detroit. The city’s diverse architecture and skyline were prominently featured to enhance the authenticity of the setting.
The team also utilized various streets and neighborhoods in the City of Langley, which is part of the Greater Vancouver area. The versatility of these locations allowed the filmmakers to effectively recreate the different settings required for the movie, from Maddie’s workplace to the gritty urban locales.
Film Studios in Greater Vancouver
Most of the interior scenes for ‘Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder’ were shot in one of the film studios located in Greater Vancouver. These studios provided the controlled environment needed to shoot complex indoor scenes, ensuring that the film maintained its suspenseful and dark ambiance. The sets were carefully designed to resemble the interiors of the Detroit Free Press office and other significant locations in the story.
Vancouver’s Film-Friendly Environment
Vancouver has long been regarded as an ideal filmmaking location. The city has a combination of modern and old buildings, making it an ideal filming setting for a variety of genres. In addition to its scenic splendor, Vancouver’s film-friendly legislation and facilities make it a desirable location for filmmakers. This is why it has been the scene for numerous great films and TV episodes, such as ‘Summer of 84,’ ‘Gretel & Hansel,’ ‘Curious Caterer: Dying for Chocolate,’ ‘Murdoch Mysteries,’ ‘Dead Boy Detectives,’ and ‘Under the Bridge.’
Why Vancouver?
Vancouver’s selection as the filming location for ‘Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder’ underscores the city’s reputation as a premier filming destination. The combination of its diverse urban settings, film-friendly policies, and state-of-the-art production facilities makes it an ideal choice for filmmakers. This has allowed Vancouver to successfully double for numerous cities across the globe in various film and television productions.
Meet the Cast of “Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder”
Holland Roden stars as Maddie Moore, the film’s protagonist. Known for her role in ‘Teen Wolf,’ Holland brings depth to her character, making Maddie a relatable and compelling figure. Her performance in ‘Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder’ is further enhanced by her previous roles in projects such as ‘Mother, May I?,’ ‘Escape Room: Tournament of Champions,’ ‘Lore,’ and ‘Mayans M.C..’ She has also been featured in other Hallmark projects, including ‘Making Waves‘ and ‘Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas.’
Chris McNally plays Detective Beeks, Maddie’s reluctant partner in solving the case. Chris has a rich acting portfolio, including roles in ‘Lucifer,’ ‘Supernatural,’ ‘Riverdale,’ ‘Killer Instinct,’ ‘Altered Carbon,’ ‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,’ and ‘Firefly Lane.’ He is also a familiar face in Hallmark movies, having appeared in ‘A Tail of Love,’ ‘The Sweetest Heart,’ and ‘3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost.’
The movie also features a talented supporting cast, including Ryan Beil as Ardie, Garrett Black as Nick, Eric Breker as Detective Grazier, Leo Chiang as Luke, Riley Davis as Ethan, Sarah Formosa as Penny, Susan Hogan as Marcella, and Lisa Kimberley as Olivia. Other notable actors include Adam Klassen as Gil, Dylan McEwan as Toby, Debbie Podowski as Ms. White, Cheyenne Rouleau as Cheryl, Cassandra Sawtell as Amanda Bly, Chris Shields as Ron, David Stuart as Mr. White, and Jill Teed as Captain Nyland.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder
Q: Where was “Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder” filmed?
A: “Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder” was filmed entirely in British Columbia, particularly in the Greater Vancouver area. The city of Vancouver and various locales in the surrounding Metro Vancouver region were used to portray the setting of Detroit, Michigan, where the movie’s story takes place. The versatile landscapes of Vancouver allowed the filmmakers to replicate the look and feel of Detroit convincingly.
Q: Why was Greater Vancouver chosen as the filming location for “Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder”?
A: Greater Vancouver was chosen for its ability to stand in for diverse urban environments, making it an ideal stand-in for Detroit. The region offers a range of settings, from bustling cityscapes to quieter neighborhoods, which provided the perfect backdrop for the movie’s mystery and drama. Additionally, British Columbia’s film-friendly policies and well-established production infrastructure contributed to the decision to film there.
Q: What specific locations in Greater Vancouver were used in “Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder”?
A: Several specific locations in Greater Vancouver were used to film “Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder.” Key scenes were shot in the city of Vancouver, where the urban landscape effectively doubled for Detroit. Additionally, streets and neighborhoods in the City of Langley were utilized to depict various parts of the story. Interior scenes were filmed in local film studios, adding to the authenticity of the settings depicted in the movie.
Q: When was “Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder” filmed?
A: The principal photography for “Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder” took place in February 2024. The production schedule was well-planned to capture the necessary scenes within a tight timeframe, making the most of the winter season’s atmospheric conditions to enhance the movie’s suspenseful tone.
Q: When is the release date for “Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder”?
A: “Tipline Mysteries: Dial 1 for Murder” was released on May 16, 2024 on Hallmark Channel.
