From bad boy to beach‑front knight, Benjamin “Ben” Hollingsworth has masterfully reinvented himself—and audiences can’t get enough. Best known as Dan “Brady” Brady in Virgin River, this Canadian actor has smoothly transitioned into light‑hearted romantic leads on Hallmark, proving that beneath that rugged exterior lies a storyteller equally at home in heartfelt comedies and cozy dramas.
🎬 I. Vancouver Roots & “Brady 2.0” Redemption
Born in Brockville, Ontario and formally educated at Canada’s National Theatre School, Hollingsworth earned TV fame in Code Black before joining Virgin River in 2019 wideopencountry.com+14en.wikipedia.org+14hellomagazine.com+14wideopencountry.com. Initially the series’ “bad boy”—ex‑military with emotional scars—Hollingsworth’s portrayal in Season 6 evolved Brady into a volunteer firefighter: “Brady 2.0”—still edgy, but heroic and renewed m.imdb.com+2people.com+2hellomagazine.com+2. Fans cheered Brady’s transformation, applauding the actor’s depth and sincerity on-screen.
🎄 II. The King of Hallmark Rom-Coms
Beyond Netflix fame, Hollingsworth has become a go-to leading man for Hallmark fans. He’s starred in feel-good films like A Splash of Love—where his love of orcas was practically written in, Romance in Style, An Easter Bloom, Christmas With the Singhs, and Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane hallmarkchannel.com+6usmagazine.com+6hellomagazine.com+6. His performance range spans heartfelt romance, comedic charm, and inclusive storytelling. In Romance in Style, his character supports body positivity—showing he’s more than just a handsome face stylelujo.com+8usmagazine.com+8entertainmentnow.com+8.
He describes this Hallmark persona as “apple‑pie entertainment”—comforting, warm, and reliably feel‑good entertainmentnow.com. The synergy between his Virgin River fan base and Hallmark audiences has helped him cross over fluidly, with viewers embracing him across platforms usmagazine.com+3entertainmentnow.com+3tvinsider.com+3.
👨👩👧👦 III. Real‑Life Family Man & Heart of Community
Off-screen, Ben lives in Vancouver with his wife Nila and their three children imdb.com+13en.wikipedia.org+13hallmarkchannel.com+13. A devoted dad who coaches youth hockey and enjoys outdoor adventures, he’s also deeply involved in community work—volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and homeless shelters hallmarkchannel.com+1hallmarkmystery.com+1. He blends rugged outdoorsman traits with heartfelt community spirit, which endears him even more to fans.
🎥 IV. Reinvention & Range
Hollingsworth isn’t afraid to stretch his craft. He embraced humorous physical comedy in Christmas With the Singhs, channeling his inner Jim Carrey reddit.com+13celebratingthesoaps.com+13hellomagazine.com+13. In An Easter Bloom, he plays a pastor—truly a pivot from his usual “bad-boy” roles—requiring both a softer presence and southern‑style authenticity entertainmentnow.com+4tvinsider.com+4m.imdb.com+4. He’s candid about loving diverse roles—from villains to seekers of faith—challenging himself constantly .
🌟 V. What Makes Him a Rising Heartthrob?
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Complex Characters – His portrayals in Virgin River and Hallmark projects are emotionally textured and genuine.
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Audience Crossover – Fans of one genre follow him into the other, proving his broad appeal hallmarkchannel.com+15entertainmentnow.com+15parade.com+15.
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Upright Persona – Family values, community service, humility—traits that align perfectly with the Hallmark image.
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Range & Reinvention – From bad boys to comedic pastors, he never gets typecast parade.com+3reddit.com+3entertainmentnow.com+3people.com+9spoilerverse.info+9tvinsider.com+9.
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Heart & Humor – Balancing charm, comedic beat, and empathy make him a standout in the genre.
🔍 The Next Act: On‑Screen & Beyond
With Virgin River renewed for Season 7, Brady’s journey is still unfolding celebratingthesoaps.com+10spoilerverse.info+10people.com+10. Meanwhile, more Hallmark titles are on the horizon—Hollingsworth has expressed excitement for new narratives and varied storylines hallmarkmystery.com+7entertainmentnow.com+7people.com+7. Whether romantic or dramatic, his trajectory blends versatility and charisma—earning him admiration from fans and peers alike.
❤️ Final Take
Ben Hollingsworth cracked onto screens as a brooding conflict magnet—but it’s his warm, heartfelt roles on Hallmark that are building his lasting legacy. Fans love him as Brady, but connect deeply when they see him in wholesome, optimistic roles. He’s proving one can have a rugged edge and a gentle heart—making him one of today’s most beloved leading men.
Stay tuned—Hollingsworth’s star is on the rise, and whether he’s fanning flames in Netflix’s mountains or warming hearts by Hallmark’s hearth, his journey is just getting started.
