Netflix’s Virgin River is full of comforting faces and compelling storylines—but fans might be surprised to learn that several of those familiar actors once scrubbed in at Grey Sloan Memorial.
That’s right: not one, not two, but four cast members from Virgin River previously appeared on Grey’s Anatomy. From major love interests to unforgettable guest stars, here’s the surprising crossover that ties two beloved dramas together.
Martin Henderson
Virgin River Role: Jack Sheridan
Grey’s Anatomy Role: Dr. Nathan Riggs
Before he was tending bar and making hearts swoon in Virgin River, Martin Henderson was a cardiothoracic surgeon on Grey’s Anatomy. His character, Dr. Nathan Riggs, stole scenes—and Meredith Grey’s heart—from 2015 to 2017. Riggs was a major part of Meredith’s healing arc post-McDreamy, appearing in 48 episodes before exiting the show to reunite with a presumed-dead former fiancée.
Bonus trivia: Henderson also starred in Britney Spears’s “Toxic” music video. Yes, really.
Zibby Allen
Virgin River Role: Brie Sheridan
Grey’s Anatomy Role: Nurse Zibby (a.k.a. Angela)
Though she plays the sharp, emotionally layered Brie in Virgin River, Zibby Allen had a much briefer turn on Grey’s Anatomy. She popped up during Season 2’s nurses’ strike as a temporary fill-in nurse. Her character initially went by Angela, but somewhere along the way, the name was updated to Zibby—blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Jenny Cooper
Virgin River Role: Joey Barnes (Mel’s Sister)
Grey’s Anatomy Role: Bethany Tanner
In Grey’s Anatomy Season 12, Jenny Cooper appeared in the hard-hitting episode “Sledgehammer” as Bethany Tanner, the disapproving mother of a teenage patient. When her daughter Jessica’s sexuality came to light, Bethany’s extreme reaction forced the hospital to call in Child Protective Services—making for one of the more emotionally charged episodes of the season.
Annette O’Toole
Virgin River Role: Hope McCrea
Grey’s Anatomy Role: Madeleine Skurski
Beloved as the opinionated and endearing mayor Hope McCrea, Annette O’Toole also made a one-episode appearance on Grey’s. In Season 9’s “Idle Hands,” she played Madeleine Skurski, a patient whose case took a dark turn when Meredith discovered her stomach flu was actually terminal cancer. It was a brief but poignant performance that left a lasting impression.
From Scalpel to Small-Town Drama
So, next time you watch Virgin River, don’t be surprised if you get that weird déjà vu. These actors may have traded hospital scrubs for hiking boots, but their dramatic roots are still very much alive in the Grey’s universe.
