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After six successful seasons, it is safe to say that Virgin River has cracked the fine balance of romance and drama that keeps viewers coming back. The show boasts a variety of relatable characters but the main focus is on Alexandra Breckenridge's Mel who moves to a small town to start afresh. From overcoming personal challenges to embracing romance, Mel leads a full life that is exciting to follow.
Virgin River also stars Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Jenny Cooper, Lauren Hammersley, and others. The relaxing pace of the narrative is complemented by cinematic shots that never fail to deliver. Even though it is a romance, Virgin River finds a way to present sincere heartfelt moments without making the audience cringe.
The show has been renewed for a seventh season but since season six only just released on December 19, 2024, fans have a long wait ahead of them. In the meantime, they can add these titles to their watchlist that boast character-driven narratives just like Virgin River.
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Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
Heartland, Happy's Place, and eight other shows like Virgin River that will bring a smile to your lips
1) Everwood (2002)
The protagonist of Virgin River, Melinda, is looking to start anew away from the hustle and bustle of the big city life. Treat Williams plays Dr. Andrew Brown aka Andy who moves his family to an idyllic town, Everwood, after his wife's death. Everwood captures how Andy and his children are coping with the recent loss and also their experiences of settling in somewhere new.
Everwood, like Virgin River, has a welcoming aura that the audience will find endearing. One of the best things about this show is the way it showcases evolving family dynamics and celebrates a sense of community. There are no scandals or exaggerated conflicts. Instead, it captures the routine ups and downs that everyone experiences in one's lifetime.
Where to watch: Everwood, containing four seasons and 89 episodes, can be streamed on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
2) Heartland (2007)
Many fans may be unaware that Virgin River is actually based on a series of novels by Robyn Carr, just like Heartland. Based on Lauren Brooke's novels, it follows the lives of two sisters, Amy Fleming and Louise Fleming, portrayed by Amber Marshall and Michelle Morgan. They manage their family ranch, "Heartland," with the help of their grandfather, father, and farmhand.
The show has a total of 18 seasons and 269 episodes. What's most interesting about Heartland is that the audience gets to observe different generations and understand the distinct philosophies and ideologies at play.
The well-written storylines also explore a range of relatable topics such as coming-of-age, falling in love, living in tune with nature, and more. Like Virgin River, this show will make viewers feel a rollercoaster of emotions, season after season.
Where to watch: Heartland is available for streaming on Netflix.
3) Chesapeake Shores (2016)
The lead protagonist of Chesapeake Shores, like that of Virgin River, has a lot of troubles weighing her down. However, her sudden trip back to her hometown in Chesapeake Shores allows her to work through them at her own time and pace. In the lead is Meghan Ory who plays Abby O'Brien-Winters, a career woman and divorced mother of two.
It is a well-known fact that small-town shows thrive on the chemistry between the actors and Chesapeake Shores definitely gets it right. The talented cast makes it look like they have known each other for years which is why their interactions seem so believable.
Containing six seasons and 55 episodes, Chesapeake Shores knows just how to keep the audience entertained without needing to introduce unnecessary toxicity.
Where to watch: Episodes of this romance drama are available on Netflix and Apple TV+.
4) The Good Karma Hospital (2017)
Virgin River puts the spotlight on relatable characters who may be flawed but have enough redeeming traits to warrant endearment from viewers. The same is the case with The Good Karma Hospital, containing four seasons and 24 episodes.
In the show, Amrita Acharia plays a disillusioned doctor named Dr Ruby Walker who wants to move out of the UK. She comes across an advertisement that takes her to The Good Karma Hospital in South India run by Dr Lydia Fonseca, an English expat played by Amanda Redman.
Like Melinda in Virgin River, Ruby takes time to warm up to her new surroundings. However, she soon finds her own place amidst the eccentric group of doctors and staff at the under-resourced hospital where each day comes with new challenges.
Where to watch: The Good Karma Hospital is available for streaming on Prime Video.
5) Northern Rescue (2019)
It becomes obvious in Virgin River that starting over is not as easy as expected but it comes with its rewards. Northern Rescue also harps on the same concept. Containing ten episodes in total, this show stars William Baldwin in the lead. He plays John West, a search and rescue commander who relocates the family to his rural hometown after the death of his wife.
Like Virgin River, the narrative of Northern Rescue teaches a lot of pertinent life lessons about love, respect, and kindness that the viewers can certainly benefit from. In terms of characters, the audience will surely have their own favorites. While most of them are easy to love, they are also flawed in some way or another which adds to their relatability.
Where to watch: Episodes of Northern Rescue are available on Netflix.
6) Sweet Magnolias (2020)
The narrative of Virgin River highlights that all adults need a helping hand to overcome the many challenges that come their way. Sweet Magnolias, containing three seasons and 30 episodes, also highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with people who encourage and inspire.
The show centers around Maddie Townsend, portrayed by JoAnna Garcia Swisher, who recently got divorced. As she attempts to get her life back on track, she finds comfort and support in her friend group named Sweet Magnolias.
Like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias thrives on a wholesome narrative that envelops friendship, family and romance. While the show can feel a little predictable at times, it still has enough refreshing plot progressions to keep the audience invested till the end.
Where to watch: Sweet Magnolias can be streamed on Netflix.
7) Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
In Virgin River, it is heartening to see Melinda grow as a person as a result of all the unexpected interactions and incidents she encounters after the move. Shin Min-a's character in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Yoon Hye-jin, also has similar experiences.
Yoon Hye-jin is a dentist based out of Seoul. When her life hits a setback, she suddenly decides to move out and open a dental clinic in an idyllic seaside village. She meets Hong Du-sik, a jack-of-all-trades played by Kim Seon-ho, who helps her charm the villagers.
The banter between the leads is one of the main highlights of this South Korean drama. Yoon Hye-jin and Hong Du-sik bicker like children but their relationship evolves over time and it is interesting to see the way they come to care for one another. The engaging narrative doesn't only focus on the romance but also explores grief, self-worth, and societal expectations.
Where to watch: Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, containing 16 episodes, can be viewed on Netflix.
8) Summer Strike (2022)
There is something calming about the pacing of Virgin River that allows viewers to feel immersed in the story without feeling overstimulated. Summer Strike, containing 12 episodes, is able to achieve that same feat.
Kim Seol-hyun plays Lee Yeo-reum who packs up her life in the city and decides to move to a small seaside town. She doesn't have any grand plans and is just looking to come to terms with her mother's accident. Even though she is shy and socially anxious, Lee Yeo-reum manages to strike up a bond with Ahn Dae-beom (Im Si-wan), the local librarian.
Like Virgin River, Summer Strike's premise is not the first of its kind, but the beauty lies in the way it is told. This show is able to introduce realistic characters who are doing the best they can, despite the obstacles they face. It also helps that the show is not overly preachy but still puts forth pertinent messages about life, love and death.
Where to watch: Summer Strike is available for streaming on Netflix, Viki, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
9) Our Blues (2022)
The small-town charm that draws viewers to Virgin River is also present in this heartwarming South Korean show. It has a star-studded cast which includes Lee Byung-hun, Shin Min-a, Lee Jung-eun, Kim Woo-bin, and more. All of the central characters are either living or find themselves at Jeju Island through a series of events.
The narrative focuses on multiple characters and captures the many joys and challenges in their lives. Very much like Virgin River, Our Blues introduces the audience to realistic and relatable characters who have their own strengths and weaknesses. The show also reminds viewers that no matter how hard life may seem, there is always a silver lining.
Containing 20 episodes in total, this show thrives on its insightful portrayal of family bonds, complicated relationships and sincere friendships.
Where to watch: Our Blues can be streamed on Netflix.
10) Happy's Place (2024)
It is easy to become invested in the narrative of Virgin River because the actors have great chemistry with one another. The same is the case with the recently released Happy's Place which is currently airing on NBC.
Reba McEntire plays Bobbie who inherits her father's bar following his death. She is surprised to learn that she has a half-sister Isabella, portrayed by Belissa Escobedo, who is the co-owner of the bar. They have to figure out how they will work together to keep the family business running with a little help from the eccentric staff.
Like Virgin River, Happy's Place hits all the right aspects that people expect from shows meant for casual viewing. The light-hearted and hilarious narrative is complemented by likable characters who are refreshingly different from one another.
Where to watch: Episodes of Happy's Place can be viewed on Prime Video and Peacock.
These shows, like Virgin River, feature emotional character-driven narratives that viewers will find both entertaining and relatable.
