Virgin River Fans, Meet Your New Obsession: Sullivan’s Crossing—Now Streaming on Netflix!

If you’ve been patiently waiting for Virgin River Season 7, then there’s good news for you while you count down the days. Sullivan’s Crossing, Netflix’s newest hit romantic drama, is finally here—and it’s already gaining traction among fans as the perfect replacement for the beloved series. With its cozy small-town vibes, emotional rollercoasters, and deeply compelling characters, it’s a natural fit for anyone who’s fallen in love with Virgin River.

What is Sullivan’s Crossing?

Much like Virgin River, Sullivan’s Crossing is based on the works of Robyn Carr, the author behind Virgin River‘s source material. This romantic drama focuses on Maggie Sullivan (played by Morgan Kohan), a neurosurgeon who finds herself returning to her rural hometown in Nova Scotia after facing legal trouble. Maggie seeks to reconnect with her estranged father, Harry “Sully” Sullivan (played by Scott Patterson, Gilmore Girls), and begins the process of rediscovering what matters in life—family, love, and self-healing.

If the name Sully sounds familiar to Virgin River fans, that’s because it’s a nod to another beloved character type—the strong, emotionally complex man who provides comfort and support when the heroine needs it most. This fresh series promises the same depth of characters and emotional investment viewers adored in Virgin River.

Why Sullivan’s Crossing Is the Perfect Replacement for Virgin River

1. Both Are Based on Robyn Carr’s Novels

The most obvious connection between the two series is Robyn Carr herself. Both Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing are adapted from her novels, meaning they share the same emotional core, small-town setting, and complex, evolving relationships. For fans who love Carr’s ability to create powerful, character-driven stories, Sullivan’s Crossing feels like the natural next step.

2. A Small-Town Setting with Heartfelt Drama

Just like Virgin River, Sullivan’s Crossing centers on a medical professional—Maggie, a neurosurgeon—returning to a small town for a fresh start. In Virgin River, Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) becomes a nurse practitioner/midwife in the sleepy Northern California town after the tragic loss of her husband. Similarly, Maggie finds herself in Nova Scotia, where the calm of the town stands in stark contrast to her previous high-pressure life, offering her an opportunity for growth and healing.

3. The Same Emotional Stakes and Deep-Rooted Love Stories

In Sullivan’s Crossing, we also see a romantic relationship blossom between Maggie and Cal Jones (played by Chad Michael Murray, One Tree Hill), who has his own complicated past. As they navigate the ups and downs of their budding relationship, viewers will see the same slow-burn romance that made Mel and Jack’s journey in Virgin River so magnetic.

There’s also the dynamic between Maggie and Sully, her father, which echoes the surrogate father-daughter bond Mel shares with Doc in Virgin River. Both series are rich with family ties, healing, and the complexities of relationships that extend beyond just romance.