Fans of Netflix’s beloved small-town drama “Virgin River” are still reeling from the explosive Season 6 finale, and no one is more affected than Canadian actor Benjamin Hollingsworth, who plays the complex Dan Brady. In a recent interview with Yahoo Canada, Hollingsworth delved into the devastating betrayal that left his character—and viewers—stunned.

Season 6, which premiered on December 19, saw Brady navigating a tumultuous relationship with Lark (Elise Gatien), only to discover she had vanished with her daughter Hazel and cleaned out his bank account. The betrayal capped a season of emotional highs and lows for Brady, a former Marine with a troubled past who has fought to redeem himself in the tight-knit community of Virgin River.

“It’s like a Christmas present we get every three weeks, when we get episodes released to us,” Hollingsworth told Yahoo Canada, describing his excitement over the juicy storyline. He noted that while he knew the broad strokes of Brady’s arc, the show’s writers kept some surprises under wraps, making the betrayal’s impact even more profound. “Brady is absolutely the character that’s had the most significant redemption arc of the whole show, but that’s what made the Season 6 finale so impactful and complicated,” he said.

The actor also reflected on Brady’s lingering feelings for ex-girlfriend Brie (Zibby Allen), which complicated his relationship with Lark. A pivotal moment in the season saw Brady and Brie reconnect passionately on a pool table at Jack’s Bar—a scene Hollingsworth himself pitched to the producers. “I thought it needed to be more raw and unplanned,” he explained to Glamour, noting that the spontaneity of the location added to the scene’s intensity. However, Brady’s failure to be honest with Lark about his feelings for Brie set the stage for her drastic actions.

Hollingsworth expressed mixed feelings about Brady’s choices, telling Entertainment Weekly, “There’s a part of me that was let down when I read that about Brady because he is falling back into his old ways.” He suggested that Brady should have been upfront with Lark, admitting, “He should’ve said, ‘Listen, I still have feelings for Brie. You don’t really deserve me, and if you want to move on, I totally understand.’ That is the proper response.”

Despite the financial and emotional setback, Hollingsworth remains optimistic about Brady’s resilience. “Brady can do anything he sets his mind to,” he said. “He’s a survivor at the end of the day. The odds were stacked against him for most of his life, and he’s found a way to survive.” Showrunner Patrick Sean Smith hinted that Brady’s dreams of opening a motorcycle shop may face delays due to his financial loss but suggested that local mechanic Bert might help him rebuild.

Hollingsworth, a 40-year-old Ontario native who now lives in British Columbia with his wife Nila Myers and their three children, also spoke about the show’s cultural impact. “It does feel like you’re a part of something cultural that’s really, really cool,” he told Glamour. “My wife and I sit down and devour episodes. When Brie and Brady broke up previously, my wife was crying.”

As “Virgin River” gears up for its already-confirmed seventh season, fans are left wondering what lies ahead for Brady. Will he track down Lark to recover his money? Could a reconciliation with Brie be on the horizon, or will her engagement to Mike (Marco Grazzini) complicate matters further? One thing is certain: Hollingsworth’s nuanced performance continues to make Brady a fan favorite, keeping viewers hooked on his journey.

“Virgin River” Season 6 is streaming now on Netflix. For more on Benjamin Hollingsworth and the latest entertainment news, visit www.virginnivergazette.com.