Jennifer Finnigan has taken the lead role in Shadow Island Mysteries, the new MOW property from Breakthrough Films & Television and Buffalo Gal, now shooting in Manitoba.

The Montreal-born actress, seen previously in ABC’s Close to Home and NBC’s Committed, plays a would-be mystery writer whose day job at a resort in the Canadian wilderness leads to real-life whodunits. The first installment concerns a groom-to-be who goes missing shortly before his wedding.

Breakthrough and Buffalo Gal plan to make six Shadow Island telemovies and have handed the U.S. distribution rights to Fireworks International. Further, Fireworks parent ContentFilm will rep the would-be franchise worldwide, excluding Canada and the territories covered under a previous deal for Europe with Daro Films and Free Dolphin.

Shadow Island Mysteries is set to air here on Movie Central, W Network and, via a second window deal, on Sun TV. Gary Yates (High Life, Seven Times Lucky) directs from the script by Alex Galatis and Paula Smith.