Sullivan’s Crossing is proving that Netflix viewers love their romantic dramas. At the time of writing, it’s managed to hit the #1 spot on the streamer’s Top 10 list of TV shows; the fact that it’s only been on Netflix for three days makes this even more impressive. It’s not hard to see why, as Sullivan’s Crossing is the type of cozy, warm-hearted drama that excels on both streaming and network television​​​​​. That’s the same approach that Virgin River took, and since that show was renewed for an eighth season, it’s pretty clear that Netflix is going all in on romance. The fact that Sullivan’s Crossing and Virgin River are both based on the works of Robyn Carr, a renowned romance novelist, doesn’t hurt. But why is Sullivan’s Crossing such a huge hit? There are plenty of reasons, including its cast, premise, and feel-good vibes.

‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ Takes a Unique Approach to a Tried and True Story

Sullivan’s Crossing begins at a low point for its protagonist, Dr. Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan). Maggie is an accomplished neurosurgeon and has a strong relationship with her boyfriend Andrew (Allan Hawco), but it all falls apart when she’s hit with multiple lawsuits. To escape the firestorm, Maggie moves back to the titular Sullivan’s Crossing, a campground owned and operated by her father, Sully (Scott Patterson). But it’s not exactly a warm welcome: Maggie hasn’t seen Sully since she was fifteen, and he’s dealing with his newfound sobriety in addition to a precarious financial situation. While Maggie works to reconnect with her father, she also encounters local townie Cal (Chad Michael Murray), and sparks start to fly between the pair. It’s the typical “big city girl moves to a small town and finds herself” story that’s fueled many a Hallmark original, but where Sullivan’s Crossing spices things up is with the major twists regarding its story. At the end of Season 1, Maggie manages to finally get ahead of the legal issues that caused her to return to Sullivan’s Crossing, but Sully suffers a heart attack and Cal departs without telling her. Season 2 ups the ante by revealing Maggie’s pregnancy, along with hints at Cal’s past and the real reason why Maggie came under fire.

These twists are saved from skewing into full-on melodrama by the cast. Kohan, Patterson and Murray have some of the best moments, especially in the emotional department. In the Season 1 finale “Sins of the Father”, Maggie asks Sully why he never came to see her, resulting in a bombshell revelation. It hits as hard as it does thanks to Patterson’s performance, which would crack even the hardest of hearts. But the best parts are when Kohan and Murray share scenes. There’s legitimate chemistry between Cal and Maggie, which makes his disappearance at the end of Season 1 that much more emotional. It also doesn’t hurt that Murray’s bringing a refined charisma to his performance as Cal, showing that the years of working on One Tree Hill stuck with him. On top of that, the series is filmed on location in Nova Scotia, resulting in some stunning imagery that you wouldn’t expect in a soapy drama.

The Success of ‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ Continues a Trend With Netflix’s Recent TV Hits

Sullivan’s Crossing is the perfect draw for Netflix, as the streamer’s found success with romantic drama series. Virgin River is the best example, but there’s another series that Sullivan’s Crossing shares a lot in common with: Ransom Canyon. Much like Sllivan’s Crossing, Ransom Canyon is set in a small town, features a slow-burning romance between its two leads, and plenty of skeletons in its character’s closets. Even a less-than-welcome critical reception didn’t stop Netflix from handing Ransom Canyon a Season 2 renewal, showing that it’s going all in on big romance dramas. In a way, Sullivan’s Crossing is continuing the trend that other series like Gilmore Girls started, becoming comfort watches among the sea of new shows and movies hitting Netflix; in a poetic twist, both Chad Michael Murray and Scott Patterson had roles on Gilmore Girls. Sullivan’s Crossing is the perfect watch if you love slow-burning romance or small-town stories, and fans won’t have long to wait as Season 3 hits Netflix this April.