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Virgin River, the American romantic drama television series produced by Reel World Management and filmed in British Columbia, Canada, is based on Robyn Carr's Virgin River novels. The first season of the show premiered on Netflix on December 6, 2019.
Virgin River tells the story of Melinda "Mel" Monroe, who relocates to the isolated community of Virgin River, California, in search of a new beginning following a traumatic event, only to discover that small-town life is more difficult than she anticipated.
The storyline is somehow dreamy and real; viewers can easily associate themselves with the characters as every season goes. Fans eagerly anticipate the brewing romance, the characters' haunting pasts, and, as highlighted in the season 6 trailer, heartfelt toasts to second chances in life.
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Each character in the story has its charm. Their entwined lives and changing relationships—from Mel's resolve to Jack's courage, Preacher's devotion, and Hope's tenacity—create an engaging story. Together, they demonstrate the strength of community in Virgin River.
Here is a list of top 7 best Virgin River characters.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and not Sportskeeda as a whole.
Melinda "Mel" Monroe and 6 other top Virgin River characters
1) Melinda "Mel" Monroe
In Virgin River, Melinda "Mel" Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) stands out for her tenacity and empathy. She gains respect for her abilities and bravery in spite of her terrible history and the town's difficulties, and she ends up being a vital and inspirational member of the community.
Mel moves to Virgin River in an attempt to start over and get away from her traumatic past, but she soon encounters unforeseen difficulties. The town doctor, Vernon, is skeptical of her abilities, and they clash. But as the story goes, she gains his respect, and he encourages her to stay.
Mel and Jack deal with bereavement, complex relationships, and town rumors as they get closer, particularly because Jack is expecting twins with Charmaine. They declare their love for one another and decide to stay together in spite of the challenges.
2) Jack Sheridan
Jack Sheridan's (Martin Henderson) dedication and bravery make him one of Virgin River's best characters. He shows his devotion to people he loves by safeguarding Mel in spite of the issues with Charmaine.
His courage to stand up for what's right is exemplified by his will to destroy the drug cartel, even at considerable personal cost. He is a crucial and heroic character in the story because of his fortitude and kindness.
Jack is attracted to Mel when she first arrives and tries to persuade her to stay in spite of Vernon's objections. Jack's connections to Charmaine and Mel's pain as a widow present challenges to their relationship as it deepens.
The two get back together, proclaim their love, and work through the rumors in the village to become exclusive.
3) John "Preacher" Middleton
John "Preacher" Middleton (Colin Lawrence), a former US Marine, is one of the most admirable characters in the series because of his bravery and integrity.
Preacher, who works with Jack at "Jack's Bar," develops an unexpected bond with Paige Lassiter and becomes heavily entangled in her turbulent past. He promises to protect Paige after learning her secret—that she has been concealing it from an abusive detective.
Even at the risk of his personal safety, Preacher intervenes to cover up the murder of Paige's violent husband, Wes, after she unintentionally kills him.
4) Vernon "Doc" Mullins
Dr. Vernon "Doc" Mullins (Tim Matheson) stands out as one of the best characters in Virgin River due to his complex, evolving journey. As Hope McCrea’s husband and the town’s doctor, his past indiscretion creates tension in their marriage, especially with Hope's hesitations to reconcile.
Initially resistant to Mel Monroe’s help at his practice, Vernon’s attitude shifts after she proves her competence by diagnosing a poisoned family, earning her a place on the practice sign.
Vernon’s character grows as he works to repair his marriage with Hope, despite complications with Muriel, and learns to embrace change both personally and professionally.
His transformation from a stubborn, set-in-his-ways doctor to someone willing to learn and adapt makes him one of the most compelling and relatable characters in the series.
5) Hope McCrea
Virgin River's outgoing mayor and town gossip, Hope McCrea (Annette O'Toole) is a well-liked figure who has deep ties to the neighborhood. Hope exhibits tremendous progress in spite of her difficult marriage to Vernon, which was stressed by an affair and resulted in a 20-year separation.
She negotiates the difficulties of their relationship after secretly getting back together with Vernon, striking a balance between love and jealousy and fear of public attention due to Muriel's interest in Vernon.
Hope is steadfast in her devotion to her town and friends. She tries to keep Melinda in Virgin River when she shows up, even if it means doubting Jack's relationship with Charmaine.
Even when faced with tough choices, her actions are motivated by her sense of duty to the community and to her interpersonal ties. Despite her personal emotional struggles, she puts the town first and works tirelessly to safeguard its future. Hope is one of the best characters in Virgin River because of her combination of fragility and willpower.
6) Brie Sheridan
Another notable character in Virgin River is Brie Sheridan, Jack's younger sister and Preacher's lawyer.
Brie, who is portrayed by Zibby Allen, immediately establishes herself as a crucial character due to her commitment to justice. Brie asserts herself as a strong advocate in season 3, particularly when it comes to defending her friend from a charge of first-degree murder.
Brie's commitment to her career and her family makes her a down-to-earth, strong character. She shows strength and kindness in every part of her life, whether it is standing up for her clients or herself or supporting her brother Jack through good times and bad.
7) Dan Brady
The underdog of the series, Dan Brady, played by Benjamin Hollingsworth, had a tough start in life. But over time, with Jack giving him multiple chances, things begin to change. Brady is a multifaceted and changing figure. A former U.S. Marine, the character outgrew his conflict with Jack while working at Jack's Bar.
After a falling out with Jack, Brady first joins a drug cartel. His moral compass is put to the test when he must make tough decisions; in the end, he chooses to assist Spencer in getting away and admits his errors in collaborating with Calvin.
Brady is one of the most interesting and ethically nuanced characters in Virgin River because of his struggle with his decisions and his readiness to defend those he loves, despite his background.
Viewers can watch all 6 seasons of Virgin River on Netflix.
