Scarlet Hunter stars as Jodi Larsen. Jodi grew up in the area and now returns after her time in the military as a military police officer. She takes a job with the National Park Service in Crystal Ridge. Jodi and her co-workers, Alexander Meeks (David Lennon), Nora Esposito (Veronica Long), Tyson Bernard (Darius Willis), and Superintendent Liza King (Miranda Edwards), are tasked with the safety and security of the park.

Also, and who some might consider the actual star of the show, is Blue, a lost dog taken in by Jodi after he ends up wandering into her house. The two become inseparable and Blue ends up being invaluable to the team. This adorable K-9 is incredible at his job, and half-way through the season viewers learn where he came from and why his instincts are top notch.

Upon returning to her hometown, Jodi is reunited with her father Bill (Shaughnessy Redden) and her childhood friend Ryan Miller (Markian Tarasiuk). Bill is still coming to terms with the death of his wife, which is something that also weighs heavily on Jodi’s mind. The woman was supposed to have fallen off a mountain, but Ryan has other thoughts.

Ryan owns a coffee shop as well as leads hiking and climbing tours and helps in search and rescue operations in the park. He, like Jodi, knows the park like the back of his hand.

Through the eight episodes of the initial season, the team deals with criminal investigations involving murders, lost campers, a potential kidnapper, a crazy social media scheme, and other incidents that test their knowledge of the region and their skills at problem solving.

“‘Blue Skies’ is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good mystery with heart,” said Philip Manwaring, CEO, UP Entertainment. “It’s an exciting police procedural without the graphic depictions of violence and darkness that often come with this genre, centered around themes of hope, healing, family and the unexpected ways we find connection–including with our loyal four-legged friends.”

While the team is solving crimes in the park, Bill and Ryan embark on an investigation of their own. The two men delve into their theory that the death of Bill’s wife, Jodi’s mother, was not an accident. By the end of the season, viewers will understand exactly what happened to this woman.

Although not filmed in the Intermountain West, the scenery is familiar to Utah readers. It could have been set in Northern Utah or Colorado, however the series was actually filmed in Canada. Most of the production is set in a community called Squamish in British Colombia, which locals call the “Sea to Sky” region. It is beautiful, providing an excellent rendition of a U.S. National Park, without actually being a U.S. National Park. And, although they do not say in which state the park is located, the NPS vehicles have plates mimicking those in Colorado.

There are plenty of situations that arise in the 5,000 square miles of the park, and the team is there to solve them. Besides their professional lives, their relationships add to the drama and fun of the series.

The series has been renewed for a second season. “The response to Blue Skies in its first season has been incredibly rewarding,” said Manwaring.  ”Viewers have connected with the mysteries, the stories of redemption and growth, the relationships among colleagues and family, and, of course, the always-lovable ‘Blue’. We’re excited to return to Crystal Ridge with even bigger adventures, deeper relationships and new cases that continue to deliver the uplifting, family-friendly storytelling that’s at the core of everything we do here at UP.”

The first season of ‘Blue Skies’ is available to stream on UP Faith and Family, a streaming channel with heart-felt stories and plenty of content families can view together.