Robyn Carr has crafted a unique TV universe where actors often appear in both Sullivan’s Crossing and Virgin River.
Though Sullivan’s Crossing and Virgin River are set in different locations, they are based on separate novels by Carr. The CTV series, which debuted on The CW before moving to Netflix, showcases neurosurgeon Maggie (Morgan Kohan), who returns to her rural Nova Scotia hometown. As Maggie spends more time in Sullivan’s Crossing, she reconnects with her estranged father Sully (Scott Patterson) and discovers love with Cal (Chad Michael Murray).
Besides Kohan, Patterson, and Murray, Sullivan’s Crossing features Tom Jackson, Andrea Menard, Dakota Taylor, Amalia Williamson, and Lindura.
Conversely, Virgin River focuses on the lives of residents in a small Northern California town, including Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and her romantic partner, Jack (Martin Henderson). The Netflix series also includes Colin Lawrence, Annette O’Toole, Tim Matheson, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Sarah Dugdale, Zibby Allen, Marco Grazzini, and Kai Bradbury.
In March 2026, Hollingsworth discussed a potential crossover with Us Weekly, saying, “We have to, right? I think that’s perfect and that would be amazing. I love that romance drama is really having a comeback and it’s gotten such momentum there.”
Grazzini expressed support for the idea in a separate interview.
“We obviously share fan bases. So that would be an awesome treat for everybody involved,” he told Us. “It would be fun to see what storyboards end up and what story lines end up happening. I’m down for that.”
Allen also found the concept intriguing, telling Us, “I feel like that could happen. I could see that happening. I love a crossover situation.”
Carr has shared her experience of seeing her novels brought to life on screen.
“I love to set my stories in fully fleshed-out locations. When the setting of a story is vivid and realistic, the reader is transported to that place and time, and they want to get to know the people who live and love there,” she wrote for BookBub in 2020. “When I’m imagining the setting for a novel, I’m looking for a place so vibrant and dramatic, it plays almost as a character in the story. It lives and breathes.”
The author has noted the connections between her shows, particularly between Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing.
“Of course, in every town there must be houses, businesses, at least one church, medical and emergency facilities, and a gathering place — usually a diner, coffeehouse, or bar and grill,” she added. “There are always outlying farms and ranches.”
Carr continued: “But there are two things that bring a town to life for me. One is beauty. Rugged beauty. The towns I write about must not be cute — they must be places of majestic, rustic and remote beauty. And they must not be easy places to live.”
Keep scrolling to see which actors have pulled double duty:
Lauren Hammersley
Virgin River fans recognize Lauren Hammersley as Charmaine, though she previously played Connie on Sullivan’s Crossing.
Lynda Boyd
Lynda Boyd has taken on dual roles, portraying Phoebe on Sullivan’s Crossing and Lily on Virgin River.
John Ralston
John Ralston has appeared as Roland on Virgin River and Jed on Sullivan’s Crossing.
