The immensely popular romantic drama television series “Virgin River” streaming on Netflix is currently airing its sixth season, which launched in December 2019. Diving into the source material, I found that Robyn Carr, a New York Times Bestselling author, created the series of romance novels that inspired the show. She has written over fifty books in total, with twenty specifically in the “Virgin River” series.
The narrative compellingly follows Mel, played by (Alexandra Breckenridge), a nurse whose background mirrors that of Carr, as she also worked as a nurse in her past. Additionally, Mel’s fiancé, Jack, played by (Martin Henderson), is a military veteran, just like Carr’s husband. By the end of season six, Mel and Jack are officially married.
Filmed in stunning British Columbia, Canada, the series features a breathtaking landscape that is almost a character itself. The choice of this picturesque setting adds to the show’s visual appeal and serves as a metaphor for the character’s journey. The wide panning shots of the sun-sparkled river and the deep forest green evergreen trees create a serene backdrop. However, this tranquility is juxtaposed with the high drama and plenty of surprises that unfold among the cast, making for an engaging viewing experience.
Mell moved to Virgin River after responding to an advertisement for a midwife and nurse practitioner position in remote Northern California. She was seeking a fresh start and hoping to leave behind painful memories. However, she soon realizes that life in a small town can be quite complicated. Mell falls in love with Jack, a local restaurant owner. However, he will quickly become a father to twins with his former girlfriend, Charmaine, portrayed by (Lauren Hammersley).
Working with Doc (Tim Matheson) at the clinic fills Mell’s life with a sense of purpose and family. Hope (Annette O’Toole), Doc’s wife, is the town busybody who eventually becomes Mayor. She means well, although she just can’t help herself to not try and solve everyone’s problems.
John “Preacher” Middleton (Colin Lawrence) is Jack’s best friend, and the two men served in the military together. He calls him Preacher because he’s strait-laced and also goes to church with his mom. Kaia (Kandyse McClure) is a devoted firefighter who is new to Virgin River and serves as the new fire chief. She and Preacher are dating and helping each other through past and present dramas.
Zibby Allen portrays Jack’s sister, Brie; she’s a great lawyer who, like Mel, is searching for solace in the remote town of Virgin River. Brie’s past, including her relationship with her brother Jack, her career as a lawyer, and her struggles with love, adds depth to her character. And, much like Mel, she too finds love in her picturesque surroundings with Dan Brady (Benjamin Hollingsworth), another Marine buddy who served with Jack and Preacher. Brady struggles to find his place in the world after returning from his tour of duty. This results in his actions that sometimes take him to the wrong side of the law.
A refreshing character is Lizzie (Sarah Dugdale), a troubled teen who moves to Virgin River to escape the temptations of Los Angeles. She lives with her aunt, Connie (Nicola Cavendish). Connie is a friend of Hope’s who runs Virgin River’s general store. She’s also a busybody like Hope, although she has a good heart as she helps raise her rebellious niece. Lizzie has a few boyfriends, although she ends up with Denny Cutler (Kai Bradbury), Doc’s grandson.
Last but not least, Charmaine Roberts (Lauren Hammersley), a hairdresser, is Jack’s prior girlfriend who became pregnant with his twins, although a discovery is made later in the show.
Why has Virgin River become so popular with viewers? Netflix states that the show had 2.1 billion minutes watched during the first full week of Season 5 Part 1 availability in September 2023. This made it the most-watched streaming title at the time, unseating Suits, which had been the most-watched for a long time. I’ve been watching from the beginning and enjoy all of the characters’ storylines. They are so well developed that you can predict what they will do in a situation, which makes you feel even more connected and invested in their lives.
What I also enjoy about the show is that it has a multi-generational cast; we see young, middle-aged, and older people all on the same show. This diversity in age groups allows for a variety of perspectives and experiences, making the show more relatable to a wider audience. As well as a family show that all can view. We begin to care about these people and watch as they navigate life with whatever situation comes their way. Mell and Jack’s love story continues for 6 seasons until their marriage; along the way, you’ll see them and others face life’s struggles and triumphs. It has been confirmed that Season 7 is in the works, yes… I’m very pleased.
Sarah Knight Adamson© January 6, 2025
Hollywood 360 Radio Network Review from Broadcast, listen to Sarah’s Review: https://bit.ly/H360_Virgin_River_Season_6
*All photos courtesy of Netflix