About “Virgin River” in a few words:

Virgin River is a romantic drama series that premiered on Netflix in 2019. Set in a small town in California, the show follows the story of Melinda “Mel” Monroe, a nurse practitioner who moves to the town to escape her painful past. As she navigates her new life, she meets a host of interesting characters, including the gruff but charming bar owner, Jack Sheridan, and the town’s resident physician, Doc Mullins. With a mix of romance, drama, and heartwarming moments, Virgin River has become a fan favorite and a must-watch for anyone who loves a good love story.

Meet the characters from Virgin River

Melinda Monroe

Oh Mel — the practical, stubborn, big-hearted nurse-practitioner who moved to Virgin River and quietly dismantled everyone’s defenses. She’s tough as old boots but will cry over a stray dog and a badly iced cake (yes she bakes sometimes, no she says she doesn’t, pick one). Protective, painfully earnest, and somehow always two steps from exploding into a sarcastic one-liner or a tearful confession. She’s the kind of person who loses her keys five times a week but always knows how to fix a broken heart or a broken arm.

Jack Sheridan

Jack is that rugged, gruff-voiced ex-Marine bar-owner who looks like trouble but is mostly just big and soft inside. He’s steady, fiercely loyal, has terrible texting skills and an inexplicable love of burnt coffee that he insists is “artisan.” Protective to a fault, romantic in a squinty way, and somehow both broody and sincerely goofy when he smiles. You half-want to hug him and half-want to slap him for being so stubborn about calling people back.

John ‘Preacher’ Middleton

Preacher is the town’s moral compass with a kind smile and a past that snuck in through the back door — thoughtful, bookish, and weirdly unpredictable at karaoke. He’ll quote scripture calmly and then drop a really inappropriate dad-joke five seconds later; don’t ask how those two live together. Gentle, reliable, and very good at listening (and also at making cinnamon rolls? possibly), he’s the guy you go to when you need real, quiet advice. He’s not above getting riled up if someone hurts the people he cares about, which is always fun to watch.

Doc Mullins

Doc Mullins is the grumpy-town-doctor archetype who pretends he hates everyone but actually fusses like an anxious grandfather. He’s practical to a fault, a little curmudgeonly, and full of old jokes that somehow land — sometimes. Secretly sentimental (yes, really) and fiercely protective of the town, he’s the person who will scold you and then show up at your door with medicine and an awkward casserole. Also collects weird tins or something in his office; people have theories, including me.

Dan Brady

Dan is the dedicated cop/detective type — polite, a little stiff, but surprisingly goofy when he lets his guard down. He’s by-the-book in public, but actually has a soft spot for bad puns and late-night diner pie, which he denies very seriously. Loyal, trustworthy, and occasionally the most embarrassed man in the room, he’s the one who’ll take responsibility even when he shouldn’t have to. He looks calm but there’s this simmering anxiety that makes him oddly endearing (and kind of human).

Ricky

Ricky is that lovable wildcard who means well and often ends up in a mess because his heart is so much bigger than his planning skills. He’s charmingly impulsive, wears one mismatched sock sometimes (no joke), and can flip from cheerful to sincere in the blink of an eye. Good at fixing things like fences and moods, bad at long-term planning; impulsive, yes, but also kind in a way that’s contagious. Basically the friend you call when you need a laugh and also someone to help you move at 2 a.m. — in that order.

Charmaine Roberts

Charmaine looks like a gentle romantic at first and then slowly reveals she’s actually a masterful plotter (in the softest possible way). She’s sugary-sweet on the surface, with nerves that fray into manipulative maneuvers when she’s scared — not evil, just very human and very flawed. Emotionally complicated, loves romance novels, and has this odd tendency to cry during commercials (or was that the trailer? memory’s fuzzy). You can’t help but watch her spiral and pity her and roll your eyes all at once.

Connie

Connie is the loud, warm-hearted neighbor who runs her mouth and runs a tight little business (or two?) and knows everyone’s business whether they like it or not. She’s like sunshine with sharp edges — gossipy, protective, and oddly insightful when you need a push. Always has a casserole in the trunk, a story that may or may not be true, and an opinion on everything — especially your dating life. She’s exhausting in the best way and impossible not to love, even if she borrows your sugar and forgets to return the spoon.