The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo

Did You Know?

• After its final episode, the series continued airing in reruns until July 15, 2001.
• On December 29, 2011, TeenNick aired the episode 'The Smoke Screen Case' on The '90s Are All That block.
• The entire series was released on DVD exclusive to Amazon.com on November 24, 2014.

History

The series debuted in March 1996 as a six-episode test run, as Nickelodeon was already producing Space Cases. Its success led to a return on SNICK in January 1997 with seven new episodes. During the third season, production halted after eight of thirteen planned episodes due to a crew strike; the show's budget did not meet the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees' demands, partly because of the decision to shoot on film. Production resumed in Montreal in February 1998 after Cinar agreed to co-produce, shifting the setting from Cocoa Beach, Florida, to Boston, Massachusetts.

Premise

Shelby Woo, a Chinese American teenage girl, lives with her innkeeper grandfather and works as a non-sworn intern at the local police department, handling odds and ends. When an intriguing case arises, she applies her unique insight and enlists her friends to solve it, though her supervisors and grandfather disapprove. Her grandfather often reminds her, 'We are not detectives with warrant badges, we are innkeepers with brooms.' Stories typically present three clear suspects, keeping the audience guessing until the truth is revealed.

Cast

Irene Ng portrayed Shelby Woo, the main protagonist and an overachiever who solves mysteries. She lived in Cocoa Beach, Florida in seasons 1–3 and moved to Boston with her grandfather in season 4. Ng was 21 when the series began and close to 25 by its end. Pat Morita played Michael 'Mike' Woo, Shelby's loving grandfather and legal guardian, a retired detective from the San Francisco PD who discourages her sleuthing out of fear for her safety.

Preslaysa Edwards played Cindy Ornette, Shelby's perky best friend in Cocoa Beach, who enjoys getting involved in cases. Adam Busch played Noah Allen, Shelby's other best friend in Cocoa Beach, who dislikes involvement and aspires to be an actor. Steve Purnick played Detective Whit Hineline of the Cocoa Beach PD, Shelby's sarcastic former boss who dislikes her interference but cares for her well-being. Ellen David played Detective Sharon Delancey of the Boston PD, Shelby's new boss who is more accepting of her help.

Eleanor Noble played Angela 'Angie' Burns, Shelby's new best friend in Boston, skilled in science. Noah Klar played Vincent 'Vince' Rosania, Shelby's other new friend and a talented mechanic who becomes her love interest. Angelo Tsarouchas played Detective Muldoon, a heavy-set detective who assists in some cases and does needlepoint. Joshua Harto played Will, who works at CJ's burger joint in Cocoa Beach.

Jennifer Finnigan played Christie Sayers, Shelby's nemesis in season 4 who fails each time she tries to solve a case first.