Meet the Characters of Blue Skies!

Premiering February 19 on UP Faith & Family, Blue Skies is more than a mystery series, it’s a heartfelt reminder that things are better when you do them together. As star Scarlet Hunter (who plays Jodi Larsen) puts it, collaboration, trust, and shared purpose are at the core of this show. Each case is solved not by one hero alone, but by the whole team: humans, canine, and even the natural world around them.

Set against the breathtaking landscapes of fictional Crystal Ridge National Park, Blue Skies blends high-stakes mystery with warmth, hope, and connection. Let’s meet the characters (and one very important non-human presence) who make this cozy procedural drama so special!

Jodi Larsen

Newcomer Scarlet Hunter stars as Jodi Larsen, a former Military Police officer who joins the National Park Police after a year marked by loss, grief, and major life changes. Returning home following her mother’s death, Jodi is determined to rebuild her sense of purpose while navigating strained family relationships and lingering guilt from her past.

Jodi is intuitive, fiercely loyal, and often underestimated, a trait she’s learned to turn into a strength. While she may begin the series carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, Blue Skies is ultimately Jodi’s journey toward learning that she doesn’t have to face everything alone. Her partnership with Blue, and her growing reliance on her team, reinforce the show’s central theme: healing happens together.

Blue

Blue is a retired military service dog with a sharp instinct and a gentle soul. Though he carries the scars of his past, Blue’s playful energy and unwavering loyalty bring heart and humor to every episode. From tracking missing persons to sensing danger before anyone else, Blue is an essential member of the team, and often the emotional glue that holds it together. His bond with Jodi reminds viewers that trust, companionship, and teamwork can come from the most unexpected places.

Bill Larsen

Shaughnessy Redden (When Calls the Heart & DC Legends of Tomorrow) plays Bill Larsen, Jodi’s father and a retired police captain whose identity has long been defined by his work. Now removed from the badge, Bill struggles with purpose, faith, and unresolved grief following his wife’s death.

Bill’s complicated relationship with Jodi, rooted in love, regret, and unspoken truths, adds emotional depth to the series. As the season unfolds, Bill must learn, much like his daughter, that strength doesn’t come from control alone, but from trusting others and leaning on the people around him.

Ryan Miller

Markian Tarasiuk stars as Ryan Miller, a former soldier who returned home after years of travel and service. Now a volunteer Search & Rescue ranger, rock climber, and local coffee shop owner, Ryan is deeply connected to Crystal Ridge and the people who call it home.

Ryan’s long-standing feelings for Jodi, and his belief in community, make him a grounding presence on the team. He understands that real strength comes from shared effort, and he often serves as a bridge between Jodi’s independence and the support she’s learning to accept.

Markian might be a familiar face to regular UP Faith & Family viewers! He has starred in Return to Sender, Wedding Cake Dreams, and Mistletoe Connection.

Lieutenant Liza King

Miranda Edwards (Snowpiercer & Mean Girls) portrays Lieutenant Liza King, the steady, capable leader of the National Park Police who stepped into the role following Bill Larsen’s retirement. Divorced and deeply committed to her work, King is focused, ambitious, and respected, but her leadership comes with quiet pressure. A close friend of Jodi’s late mother, she has long seen herself as a mentor to Jodi, recognizing the young investigator’s strength and potential while trying to guide her through the challenges of returning home.

Behind her calm exterior, King is navigating complicated personal terrain. Her growing relationship with Bill, born out of shared history and mutual grief, adds emotional weight to an already demanding job, while her promotion pulls her further from the hands-on fieldwork and love of nature that first drew her to the park service. As Lieutenant, King must balance duty, loyalty, and compassion, embodying Blue Skies’ central idea that leadership (and healing) are strongest when built on trust and teamwork.

Alex Meeks

David Lennon (Untamed & The Irrational) plays Alex Meeks, a capable but embittered ranger who views himself as overlooked and underappreciated. His rivalry with Jodi stems from jealousy, frustration, and a desire for recognition.

Meeks’ arc explores what happens when ambition overshadows collaboration. In a series built on teamwork, he serves as a reminder that refusing to trust others can be just as limiting as any external obstacle.

Nora Esposito

Veronica Long stars as Nora Esposito, a confident, warm-hearted officer whose loyalty and emotional intelligence make her an invaluable part of the team. Nora’s friendship with Jodi becomes one of the show’s most grounding relationships.

She understands when to step forward and when to step back, especially when it comes to matters of the heart, consistently proves that true teamwork means putting people first.

Veronica can is also the star of A Royal Makeover, available to stream on UP Faith & Family!

Tyson Bernard

Darius Willis (Tracker & Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) brings humor and heart as Tyson Bernard, the park’s tech-savvy ranger. Socially awkward but endlessly capable, Tyson handles everything from drones to tracking systems.

Though he often feels out of place in the wilderness-focused world of the park, Tyson’s tech skills, from flying drones to computer hacking, are critical to solving cases. His bond with Jodi reinforces the idea that everyone has something valuable to contribute even if they don’t fit the mold.

The Silent Partner: Nature

In Blue Skies, nature itself is a character. From towering cliffs and dense forests to serene campsites and winding trails, the lush scenery of Crystal Ridge National Park is as captivating as any performance. The environment doesn’t just provide a backdrop, it shapes the cases, challenges the team, and offers moments of peace, reflection, and healing.

The sweeping views and cinematic landscapes underscore one of the show’s core truths: when people work together, and respect the world around them, they’re capable of extraordinary things.

Why Blue Skies Belongs on Your Watchlist

With its blend of suspense, heart, and breathtaking scenery, Blue Skies is a cozy mystery that celebrates teamwork, resilience, and connection. For fans of Heartland, Hudson & Rex, and Sue Thomas F.B.Eye, this is a series that proves solving mysteries is always better when you do it together.

Blue Skies premieres February 19, exclusively on UP Faith & Family!