Cozy town? Check. Healing romance? Check. Gorgeous landscapes, secret pasts, and emotional twists? Absolutely. Meet the show filling the Virgin River-sized hole in your heart.
By Streaming & TV Desk | July 20, 2025
If you’ve already binge-watched Virgin River for the third time and still can’t get enough of small-town charm, healing love stories, and emotional twists — Netflix has just the fix for you: Sullivan’s Crossing.
This under-the-radar Canadian series is quietly building a cult following, and Virgin River fans are calling it a spiritual sibling to their favorite comfort show.
“It’s everything I loved about Virgin River, but with its own soul,” one viewer tweeted. “I was hooked by episode 2.”
🌲 Welcome to Sullivan’s Crossing: Where Hearts Heal and Secrets Linger
Based on the best-selling novels by Robyn Carr — the same author behind Virgin River — Sullivan’s Crossing follows Maggie Sullivan, a big-city neurosurgeon forced to retreat to her rural hometown after a scandal rocks her career.
There, she reconnects with her estranged father, a rugged local bar owner, and the colorful townspeople who offer more than just small talk — they bring truth, warmth, and healing. Along the way, she finds unexpected love, community, and a chance to rebuild.
Sound familiar? That’s because it is — but with fresh faces, new storylines, and a slightly more grounded tone.
💖 The Cast: Familiar Vibes, Fresh Energy
Starring Morgan Kohan (When Hope Calls), Scott Patterson (Gilmore Girls), and Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill), the show has star power with a nostalgic edge. Patterson plays Maggie’s tough but tender dad, while Murray steps in as Cal, a mysterious outdoorsman with a quiet past and a magnetic presence.
Fans are already shipping Maggie and Cal the way they once rooted for Mel and Jack.
“It’s got the tension, the healing, the found-family energy — it’s a total binge,” one Netflix reviewer shared.
🍂 Why Fans Are Obsessed
Scenic serenity: Just like Virgin River, Sullivan’s Crossing is set against a stunning natural backdrop — think cabins, forest trails, and cozy riverside mornings.
Emotional healing arcs: Maggie’s journey from collapse to clarity mirrors the deeply human storytelling fans loved in Virgin River.
Community-driven drama: The small-town characters are layered, messy, and endearing — with their own pasts and perspectives.
🎬 Where to Watch
Sullivan’s Crossing is now streaming on Netflix, with new episodes gaining momentum weekly. A second season is already in the works, following the series’ sleeper success.
So if your heart’s been aching since the Virgin River credits rolled, grab a warm drink, curl up, and take a walk through Sullivan’s Crossing — where every corner holds a story, and every character has something to heal.
