Attention, “Virgin River” faithful! If the agonizing wait for Season 7 is starting to feel impossibly long, prepare for some fantastic news that will tide you over: Netflix has just added two full seasons of the perfect binge-watch to help you pass the days until the next update from our beloved Virgin River! This is a game-changer for fans craving that signature blend of romance, drama, and small-town charm.

The exciting new addition is “Sullivan’s Crossing,” a show that airs on The CW in the U.S. and CTV in Canada. What makes this particularly thrilling for “Virgin River” devotees? It’s also based on a book series by none other than “Virgin River” author Robyn Carr! And, as you’re about to discover, these two shows have a lot in common, making “Sullivan’s Crossing” the ideal companion watch.

Stop us if this sounds familiar: “Sullivan’s Crossing” centers on a young medical professional who makes a drastic decision to leave the bustling big city behind after a personal tragedy shatters the foundations of her life. This devastating event propels her to seek a fresh start, leading her to a scenic small town. Naturally, as fate would have it, she also falls for a handsome local, setting the stage for a compelling new romance. The parallels to Mel Monroe’s journey in “Virgin River” are striking and intentional, as both series explore Carr’s signature tropes of healing, new beginnings, and finding love in unexpected places.

While we’re careful not to delve too deeply into specific plot spoilers for “Sullivan’s Crossing” (because you’ll want to discover its nuances yourself!), we can assure you that there are “so many more parallels, recurring themes and similar vibes” between the two shows. If you’ve been “craving that signature ‘Virgin River’ blend of swoon-worthy romance, soapy twists and cozy small-town drama,” then “Sullivan’s Crossing” is absolutely going to hit the spot. It promises the same comforting yet dramatic escapism that has made “Virgin River” a global phenomenon.

Despite their shared DNA and common themes, “Sullivan’s Crossing” is “far from carbon copies” of “Virgin River.” It’s fascinating to observe how Robyn Carr, as the author behind both series, adeptly explores her chosen tropes in distinct ways, offering fresh perspectives and unique character arcs. “Sullivan’s Crossing” specifically centers on young neurosurgeon Maggie (Morgan Kohan). Her life takes an unexpected turn after a professional tragedy — a devastating event that unravels her practice and sends her desperately “in search of a fresh start.” This search leads her back to her hometown, a place she presumably left behind, where she embarks on a journey of reconnection with her estranged father, Sully (Scott Patterson), a beloved star from “Gilmore Girls.” As expected in a Robyn Carr narrative, romantic sparks also fly as Maggie kindles a romance with Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray), a familiar face to fans of 2000s teen dramas and a quintessential “teen heartthrob.” Cal, like Maggie, arrived in this quaint town with his own baggage, seeking to leave behind his “own heartbreaking past.” This promises a layered romance built on shared vulnerability and the hope of new beginnings.

As you can undoubtedly tell from this detailed description, “Sullivan’s Crossing” possesses an “extreme ‘Virgin River’ vibe.” However, it injects “a bit more of a millennial bent” into the formula, thanks to the presence of both Chad Michael Murray and Scott Patterson. This gives the show a slightly different flavor while maintaining the core appeal of Carr’s storytelling. Traditionally, “Sullivan’s Crossing” has only been available to stream on The CW website and app in the U.S., making its Netflix debut a significant event. This wider availability should be a “welcome opportunity for a wider audience” to discover and immerse themselves in this romantic drama.

The Netflix debut has already made an impact! Just one day after its release on the streaming giant, “Sullivan’s Crossing” has “surged up the ranks of the Netflix TV Top 10,” indicating its immediate popularity and the clear demand for this type of heartfelt, small-town storytelling. However, a word of caution for those planning to binge: if you “burn through Seasons 1 and 2 in a hurry,” you’ll need to download The CW app to watch Season 3, as it’s not yet available on Netflix.

And for those who dread waiting, be mindful of your viewing pace! Season 3 of “Sullivan’s Crossing” premiered in May in the U.S. and still has two episodes left to air on The CW, with the finale scheduled for July 16 (in the past). Even more exciting for fans of the show, Season 4 is officially on the way! Robyn Carr herself announced the show’s renewal in a June Facebook post, ensuring that Maggie’s journey and the lives of the “Sullivan’s Crossing” residents will continue to unfold.

As for the original series, “Virgin River,” fans are still eagerly awaiting a Season 7 release date. The cast “celebrated the end of Season 7 filming” at the end of June, which hopefully means an official release announcement should be just around the corner. “Virgin River” has historically “bounced around a bit on the Netflix release schedule,” with new seasons premiering in winter, summer, and fall over the years. Typically, there’s about a “year and some change between new seasons,” with Season 6 having most recently debuted in December 2024. The Season 7 renewal, announced in October 2024, firmly established “Virgin River” as one of Netflix’s longest-running and most successful series, placing it alongside other streaming giants like “Grace & Frankie” (seven seasons), “Orange Is the New Black” (seven seasons), “Elite” (eight seasons), and “Big Mouth” (eight seasons).

So, while you patiently await the next chapter of Mel and Jack’s story, “Sullivan’s Crossing” offers the perfect bridge to fill that “Virgin River”-shaped void. Dive in, get cozy, and prepare to fall in love with a whole new small town!

👉 Are you excited to binge “Sullivan’s Crossing” while you wait for “Virgin River” Season 7? What other shows do you think capture that perfect Robyn Carr vibe? Share your thoughts below! 👇