Plot Synopsis

This drama series centers on the day-to-day life of Olivia Lockhart, a divorced judge in the small town of Cedar Cove, as she balances her professional and personal lives. Olivia, the 52-year-old presiding family court judge of Cedar Cove, is so well-respected for how she runs her courtroom that she's considered for the position of a federal judge in Seattle. In her personal life, Olivia is divorced, having separated from her husband, Stan Lockhart, one year after the tragic, accidental drowning death of their son, Jordan. Jordan's twin sister, 28-year-old Justine, is a local artist in Cedar Cove, achieving recognition for her talent with a stunning line of jewelry, and she's dating an older businessman, Warren Saget, straining her relationship with her mother and grandmother, Charlotte. Stan has struggled to maintain a connection with daughter Justine, but he'll get a chance to improve their relationship, because he's recently returned as a doctor in Cedar Cove, arriving with his new wife, Melanie, the woman in whom he confided his despair over Jordan's death during daily ferry commutes to Seattle. Charlotte, Olivia's mother, is a frequent visitor to city courtroom, because she likes to know about everything that happens in their small town, and she's secretly hoping that Olivia will take notice of a recent transplant from Philadelphia: Jack Griffith, the new "Cedar Cove Chronicle" editor. Jack is divorced from his wife, Vicki, and, because of his history with substance abuse, he was an absentee father to his two children -- son, Eric and daughter, Shelly. Now, that he's stopped drinking, Jack is putting his life back together and instantly becomes smitten with Olivia, but he must deal with his son returning home to look for the father he never had. Other Cedar Cove residents include: Sheriff Troy Davis, who leaves no stone unturned when investigating crimes, like the case of someone purposely burning down a historic pergola in the heart of town; Warren Saget, a land developer and Justine's beau, who is a serial cheater, lacks a moral center and has survived countless lawsuits for his shoddy business dealings; Moon, the eccentric owner of a funky organic coffee shop and bakery that frequently serves as the center of the small town's social scene; Maryellen, Justine's friend, who insists that she come to work for her in Cedar Cove's main art gallery; and many other characters in this tiny town. Based on the series of books by Debbie Macomber, CEDAR COVE is Hallmark Channel's first, original scripted series. First announced as a TV movie and backdoor pilot and originally scheduled to air months in advance of the series, Hallmark held back the pilot and showed it as a two-hour series premiere on Saturday, July 20, 2013 from 8-10pm ET/PT. CEDAR COVE returned for its second season on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT on Hallmark Channel. In the Season 2 premiere, Olivia and Jack rush to the hospital to wait with Jack's son, Eric, as Eric's girlfriend Shelly suffers from a serious pregnancy complication. While a scared Eric angrily pushes his father away, Olivia flashes back to the last time she was in the hospital -- the tragic day her son died. Even as she tries to push aside the paralyzing memories, she must remain strong for a shaky Shelly, who has made a decision about her future that could affect them all. Meanwhile, Justine and Seth cope with the aftermath of the restaurant fire and a shocking development in the federal investigation against Justine's manipulative ex-fiance, Warren, and decide how to move forward with the business -- and with their relationship. And Maryellen goes to extra lengths to help a missing John when two mysterious men show up to track him down, posing a threat to all of Cedar Cove. In the Season 2 finale, Olivia is determined to find out why her relationship with Jack suddenly feels so distant, while Justine attempts to smooth things over with Seth but ends up only making things much worse. And as Eric is caught between Warren, his partner, and the law, he must decide who he can trust, as all of Cedar Cove discovers secrets can't always be kept. DEBBIE MACOMBER'S CEDAR COVE returns with a special two-hour Season 3 premiere on Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 8-10pm ET/PT on Hallmark Channel, with stars Andie MacDowell along with Dylan Neal, Bruce Boxleitner, Barbara Niven, Brennan Elliott, Teryl Rothery, Sarah Smyth, recurring cast members Sebastian Spence, Timothy Webber, Jesse Hutch and special guest star Colin Ferguson. In Season 3, the romance between revered Judge Olivia Lockhart and newspaper editor Jack hangs in the balance when Olivia and her friends and family in Cedar Cove face hidden secrets, new surprises and big changes as their idyllic small seaside town is bursting with more drama -- and heart -- than ever before. In the season opener, "Hello Again," Olivia and Jack take time apart after her devastating discovery of his relapse, leading them both on a painful search for forgiveness. A confident -- and handsome -- new District Attorney shows up in Olivia's courtroom and makes a move for her attention, while Grace weighs a surprise proposal and a new job opportunity in the community and Justine attempts to find happiness with Luke. And when the whole town comes together for a good cause, Jack will prove everyone deserves a second chance when he presents Olivia with a plan for moving forward.
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On Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 8pm ET/PT, Hallmark premiered the Season 3 finale of CEDAR COVE. In the season ender, "Getting to Know You (Part 2)," Olivia is upset after learning Paul is leaving Cedar Cove, especially as he won't reveal his reason. She and Jack continue to work things out be she longs for him to open up more. Justine is hurt when she learns Luke wants to re-enlist in the Navy, leaving their future in doubt. Warren's power struggle with his father, Buck, continues but his scheme to get the elder Saget to leave town. Grace and Cliff's wedding day brings together their family and friends for a celebration of their love, while Paul confesses to Olivia the shocking truth about his decision to leave Cedar Cove.