Whoever says small town life is boring has clearly never watched Virgin River. Filled with budding romances, medical emergencies and nasty business dealings, there is never a dull moment in the small California town. As we wait for the second half of season 5, here are some similar shows that you might enjoy.
Everwood
A successful neurosurgeon, Dr. Andrew Brown, moves from New York City to the small town of Everwood after the death of his wife. With his teenage son Ephram, and nine-year-old daughter Delia, Andy starts up a small family practice as his family adjusts to their new life in Everwood. The series was created by Greg Berlanti (Riverdale, Arrow) and stars Treat Williams, Emily VanCamp, Gregory Smith and Chris Pratt.
Where to watch: Everwood is available to watch on ITVX and to buy on Apple TV.
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls is filled with small town drama, endearing female friendships and love triangles - just like Virgin River. Starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as television’s famous mother daughter duo, the show is set in the fictional small town of Stars Hollow. Melissa McCarthy, Scott Patterson, Milo Ventigmilia, Jared Padelecki and Matt Czuchry also star in the series which was created by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino. The series first premiered in 2000, and ran for seven seasons. Netflix then produced a revival series in 2016.
Where to watch: Gilmore Girls is available to watch on Netflix and to buy on Apple TV.
Chesapeake Shores
Set in the small town of Chesapeake Shores, this heartwarming drama series is centred around the O’Brien family. When single mum Abby moves home to Chesapeake Shores with her two young daughters, she is surrounded by the love (and chaos) of her big family. The show also stars John Tucker Must Die star Jesse Metcalfe as Abby’s high school sweetheart. There are also many medical storylines on the show, like Virgin River, with Abby’s brother Kevin being a paramedic in the town. Meghan Ory, Robert Buckley and the late Treat Williams all star in Chesapeake Shores.
Where to watch: Chesapeake Shores is available to watch on Netflix.
Hart of Dixie
Hart of Dixie is about recent medical school graduate, Dr Zoe Hart who moves from New York to a small practice in Bluebell, Alabama. Despite her dreams of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon like her father, Zoe embarks on a different kind of adventure as she navigates small town life. Starring The O.C.’s Rachel Bilson as Dr. Zoe Hart, the show also features Friday Night Lights actor Scott Porter and Virgin River’s very own Tim Matheson as Dr. Brick Breeland.
Where to watch: Hart of Dixie is available to watch on ITVX.
This Is Us
While the show may be a bit heavier than the typical Virgin River storylines, This Is Us is a family drama series that is guaranteed to hit you in the feels. Stars Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz and Justin Hartley, the show centres around the Pearson family and explores their stories across multiple timelines and generations. The critically acclaimed series won four Primetime Emmys. This Is Us also features Alexandra Breckenridge before she started starring as Mel Monroe.
Where to watch: This Is Us is available to watch on Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.
Northern Rescue
John West is a search and rescue commander in Boston. When his wife dies, he moves back to his hometown of Turtle Island Bay with his three children. John takes the job to lead the local search and rescue team, as the family come to terms with the loss of their wife and mother. William Baldwin stars in Northern Rescue, which ran for one season.
Where to watch: Northern Rescue is available to watch on Netflix.
Sweet Magnolias
Follow the lives of three childhood best friends from South Carolina in Sweet Magnolias. As they build their careers and families, these friends support each other through thick and thin. Sweet Magnolias is a story of endearing friendships and romances. It stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Headey and is based on the Sweet Magnolias books by Sherryl Woods.
Where to watch: Sweet Magnolias is available to watch on Netflix.
When Calls the Heart
When Elizabeth Thatcher is a teacher who moves from the big city to a small town. Originally from a wealthy family, Elizabeth must adapt to life in Coal Valley, much like Mel Monroe in Virgin River. The series is based on Janette Oke’s book of the same name, the series was inspired by a 2013 television movie pilot which starred Maggie Grace and Stephen Amell.
Where to watch: When Calls the Heart is available to watch on Netflix, and Freevee.
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy redefined medical drama series, and has been renewed for a whopping twentieth season. If you like watching the medical storylines in Virgin River that come from Mel’s work as a midwife, then you might enjoy Grey’s Anatomy too. Grey’s also stars New Zealand actor Martin Henderson (who stars as Jack in Virgin River). He plays Dr. Nathan Riggs, a war veteran and cardiothoracic surgeon.
Where to watch: Grey’s Anatomy is available to stream on Disney+ and to buy on Apple TV.
Heartland
The long running Canadian series, Heartland, will return for season 17 this year. The comedy drama follows the Fleming family who live on a ranch called Heartland in Alberta, Canada. The show stars Amber Marshall as Amy Fleming, who lives at Heartland and practises natural horsemanship like her late mother, Marion. Based on Lauren Brooke’s book series of the same name, Heartland follows the Flemings as they ride the highs and lows of living on a ranch.
Where to watch: Heartland is available to watch on Netflix.