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When Virgin River first arrived on Netflix, few could have predicted it would grow into one of the platform’s longest-running and most-watched dramas.

Yet season after season, the quiet town tucked among towering trees and winding roads has continued to draw millions of viewers back. For Benjamin Hollingsworth,

who has portrayed the complicated, deeply human Dan Brady since the early days of the series, the show’s longevity still comes with a sense of disbelief—and immense gratitude.

Despite the numbers and global reach, Hollingsworth insists the reason Virgin River has endured is surprisingly simple. At its core, the series taps into something many people feel they’ve lost: a sense of genuine community. In a world increasingly defined by isolation and division, Virgin River offers a place where neighbors notice when someone is struggling, show up without being asked, and carry one another through moments of joy and heartbreak alike.

That emotional truth, Hollingsworth believes, is what keeps audiences invested year after year.

The Power of Community Storytelling

From the beginning, Virgin River set itself apart by focusing less on spectacle and more on connection. While the show certainly delivers dramatic twists, medical emergencies, and romantic upheaval, its true strength lies in the relationships that bind its characters together.

Hollingsworth has often reflected on how rare that kind of storytelling feels in modern television. Rather than pitting characters against one another for shock value, Virgin River allows them to evolve through shared experiences—sometimes painful, sometimes healing, always human.

Dan Brady’s journey embodies that philosophy. Introduced as a troubled outsider with a murky past, Brady has slowly been reshaped by the town itself. Through forgiveness, accountability, and unexpected bonds, he has become one of the show’s most emotionally layered figures. Hollingsworth credits the writers for allowing growth to unfold gradually, resisting the urge to rush redemption.

“It’s not about perfection,” he has said of the show’s approach. “It’s about showing up, even when you don’t have all the answers.”

Season 7: An Ending That Feels Like a Beginning

With season 7 officially wrapped, Virgin River stands at a fascinating crossroads. While details remain tightly guarded, Hollingsworth has hinted that the latest season marks a turning point—not just for individual characters, but for the town itself.

Season 7 leans heavily into themes of consequence and commitment. Long-running storylines begin to crystallize, forcing characters to confront the results of past choices. For Brady, that means reckoning with who he has been and deciding who he wants to become moving forward.

Hollingsworth describes the season as emotionally dense, filled with moments that are quieter but heavier. Instead of relying on constant crises, the tension often comes from conversations left unfinished, loyalties tested, and futures quietly hanging in the balance.

It’s a season that asks difficult questions: What does redemption truly require? Can love survive when trust has been broken more than once? And how much of our past are we destined to carry with us?

Looking Ahead to Season 8

Even as season 7 closes one chapter, Virgin River is already looking ahead. Season 8 has been confirmed, a testament to the show’s remarkable staying power and its loyal fan base.

For Hollingsworth, the early knowledge that the story will continue brings both excitement and responsibility. He understands that audiences have grown deeply attached to these characters, investing years of emotion into their journeys.

Season 8, he suggests, will build on the emotional groundwork laid in season 7, pushing characters into new territory while honoring the heart of what makes Virgin River resonate. Growth will continue—but not without cost.

“It’s never easy in Virgin River,” Hollingsworth has noted with a smile. “But that’s what makes it feel real.”

Balancing Stardom and Fatherhood

Off screen, Hollingsworth’s life has changed just as dramatically as his character’s. As a father of three, he’s acutely aware of how demanding a long-running television series can be—not just on him, but on his family.

Rather than keeping work and home life separate, Hollingsworth has chosen to integrate them as much as possible. When schedules allow, he brings his family with him during filming, creating a sense of continuity even amid long shoots and travel.

It’s not always easy. Days on set can be long and emotionally draining, particularly given the heavy themes Virgin River often explores. But Hollingsworth believes staying connected to his family is what keeps him grounded.

Fatherhood, he says, has profoundly shaped the way he approaches his work. It has deepened his empathy, sharpened his emotional awareness, and reminded him why stories about love, forgiveness, and resilience matter so much.

Continuing the Tradition of Holiday Storytelling

Beyond Virgin River, Hollingsworth has carved out a beloved niche in holiday films, most recently appearing in The Christmas Ring. These projects allow him to explore a lighter, more whimsical side of storytelling while still maintaining emotional sincerity.

For fans, his holiday roles feel like a natural extension of the warmth he brings to Virgin River. While the settings may change, the themes remain consistent: connection, second chances, and the quiet magic of showing up for one another.

Hollingsworth sees these films not as a departure from his dramatic work, but as a complement to it. They offer hope, comfort, and familiarity—qualities audiences often crave, especially during uncertain times.

Emotional Honesty Above All

Whether he’s portraying a conflicted ex-Marine, a romantic lead in a holiday film, or simply navigating life as a parent, Hollingsworth returns again and again to the same guiding principle: emotional honesty.

He believes audiences can sense when a performance is rooted in truth, and that sincerity is what ultimately builds trust between a show and its viewers. It’s a philosophy that aligns perfectly with Virgin River’s enduring appeal.

The series doesn’t promise easy answers or flawless endings. Instead, it offers something far more resonant: the reassurance that pain can coexist with hope, and that healing often happens in unexpected ways.

A New Chapter for Actor and Character

As Virgin River prepares to return in 2026, both Benjamin Hollingsworth and Dan Brady find themselves standing on the edge of something new. The road behind them has been shaped by love and loss, mistakes and forgiveness. The road ahead remains uncertain—but filled with possibility.

For Hollingsworth, that uncertainty is part of the joy. It’s what keeps the work meaningful and the story alive. And for fans, it’s a promise that Virgin River will continue to reflect the complexities of real life, one heartfelt moment at a time.

In a television landscape that changes rapidly, Virgin River endures by staying true to its emotional core. And with Benjamin Hollingsworth still at its heart, the journey is far from over.