Who is Jessica Rothe? Meet the actress playing Mel's mother in Virgin River season 6

Virgin River season 6 introduced a new character with a significant connection to the main character, Melinda "Mel" Monroe. This character is none other than Mel's late mother, Sarah. In episodes 2 and 3 of the latest season, viewers were taken on a nostalgic trip back to the 1970s through a series of flashbacks that unveiled how Mel's parents, Everett and Sarah, first crossed paths.

Since the storyline is set in the past, Mel's father appears much younger than his current portrayal in the show, as does Sarah. Actor Callum Kerr (Hollyoaks and Monarch) took on the role of Everett, while actress Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U) played Sarah.

Jessica Rothe is an American actress who is known for roles in series such as The Onion News Network, Happy Endings, Gossip Girl, and Blue Bloods.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Virgin River season 6. Readers' discretion is advised.

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Jessica Rothe plays Mel's mother, Sarah, in Virgin River season 6

With Sarah's character making her debut in Virgin River season 6, audiences have become increasingly curious about her and the actress who plays her. As mentioned earlier, the role of young Sarah in episodes 2 and 3 of the latest season is portrayed by Jessica Rothe (full name: Jessica Ann Rothenberg).

Born in Denver, Colorado, to parents Susan and Steve Rothenberg, Rothe always had a passion for the performing arts during her educational journey. However, her parents prioritized her education and allowed her to pursue her interests only if she maintained good grades.

For years, Jessica balanced academics with her passion for acting, but everything changed when she met a teacher who inspired her to explore her interests. Her acting career began in 2010 with roles in projects such as America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back.

Jessica Rothe made her film debut in 2013 with the short film Promised Land. This was followed by her appearances in other films that same year, including The Last Keepers, The Hot Flashes, Bastards of Young, and Jack, Jules, Esther and Me. However, her breakthrough role came in the 2017 film Happy Death Day, where she portrayed Theresa "Tree" Gelbman.

The film garnered significant acclaim from critics and audiences, establishing her as a true "scream queen. Her impressive performance in the first film led to the creation of a prequel, Happy Death Day 2U (2019), where she reprised her role from the original movie.

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Virgin River season 6 spotlights Sarah and Everett's meet-cute through flashbacks

Episodes 2 and 3 of Virgin River season 6 offered audiences a never-before-seen peek into Mel's life, one that Mel wasn't aware of too until then. As Mel prepared for her wedding, she persistently sought information from her father about her late mother, Sarah, who was a bit hesitant to share the details. However, by the end of the first episode, he began sharing small details about her personality.

In episode 2 of Virgin River season 6, viewers finally see Mel's mother in person through flashback sequences set in the 1970s. These sequences reveal that Everett and Sarah first crossed paths when the latter was hitchhiking after her car broke down, and the former was crossing her in his VW bus. It was love at first sight.

Everett was smitten with Sarah and couldn't help but stop for her. When he learned that the two were headed in the same direction, he offered her a lift. However, a few hours into their journey, Everett's car malfunctioned, requiring repairs that would take approximately 48 hours.

Eventually, the two ended up camping near a bonfire, allowing them to spend some time with each other. During this time, they expressed their attraction to each other, leading to several intimate moments. Although they parted ways, they promised to find each other if fate allowed them to.

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All episodes of Virgin River season 6 are currently streaming on Netflix.