Vancouver-born actor Cobie Smulders brings a unique blend of holiday cheer and thrilling suspense to the fourth season of Audible's popular audio series Mistletoe Murders, now available for streaming. The Marvel Cinematic Universe star continues her role as Emily Lane, the Christmas-obsessed shop owner who can't seem to avoid dangerous mysteries in the quaint town of Fletcher's Grove.
From SHIELD Agent to Christmas Shop Owner
Smulders, best known for playing SHIELD agent Maria Hill in the Marvel films, voices narrator and protagonist Emily Lane, who operates a year-round Christmas store called Under the Mistletoe. Despite the town having an actual detective named Sam Wilner, Lane has established herself as Fletcher's Grove's go-to mystery solver, much to the chagrin of local law enforcement.
The Vancouver native recorded the latest season earlier than usual, completing voice work around May 2024 for the November 2025 release. The series has become an annual holiday tradition for listeners, with new installments dropping each November to coincide with the festive season.
A Mystery Fan at Heart
In a recent interview, Smulders revealed her genuine passion for the mystery genre. "I am a big mystery fan," the actor confessed. "I've started listening to a lot of mysteries via audiobook on Audible."
She credits Los Angeles traffic with fueling her audio mystery consumption. "They're really good for when you're driving around Los Angeles because of the crazy amount of traffic," Smulders explained. "They keep you on the edge of your seat without wanting to crash your car."
Her mystery credentials extend beyond her current role, having grown up watching classic series like Murder She Wrote and various BBC mystery productions that clearly influenced her appreciation for the genre.
Christmas Spirit All Year Round
When asked about getting into the holiday spirit for her role, Smulders revealed she needs little encouragement. "I'm always in the Christmas spirit," she declared. "It just takes very little. It's just right underneath the surface constantly."
Her enthusiasm extends to holiday beverages too, with the actor joking that she'd make eggnog herself if stores stopped carrying it outside the holiday season. This genuine love for Christmas makes her perfectly suited to play a character who operates a Christmas-themed store year-round.
Revealing Emily Lane's Dark Past
The new season promises to delve deeper into Emily Lane's mysterious background. Season 4 reveals that Lane moved to Fletcher's Grove and opened her Christmas business while essentially being on the run from her past.
"This is certainly the season where we reveal the most information about her backstory," Smulders revealed. "She cut and run for a bit, and now she's back, and making her apologies and telling her ex-romantic partner, Sam Wilner, what she's been up to."
This character development adds new layers to the holiday mystery series, providing long-time listeners with answers about why Emily Lane arrived in Fletcher's Grove and what she's been hiding.
Why the Series Resonates with Audiences
According to Smulders, the success of Mistletoe Murders lies in its unique combination of two beloved genres. "I think it's two genres that people really enjoy," she observed. "People really enjoy the holidays, and it's hard to sort of infuse the holidays into things."
She credits writer and creator Ken Cuperus with crafting scripts that balance holiday warmth with genuine mystery. "Christmas is sort of in the background of our show, but it sets the tone," Smulders explained. "And people like a good mystery. Ken has done an amazing job of writing scripts that allow people to follow along with while hopefully being surprised along the way."
The fourth season of Mistletoe Murders is now available exclusively on Audible, continuing Vancouver native Cobie Smulders' journey as everyone's favorite Christmas-themed amateur detective.
